SpeedDate.com allows singles to post basic information about themselves which allows users to start dating immediately, minimizes complications from lengthy profile requirements, and allows singles to make matches based on chemistry, not qualifications “on paper”  Members learn how to make the most of an online profile to communicate the right message to other online singles.  The slowdown in the economy many people are spending more and more time at home which compounds the problem of meeting people.  So with Speed Date the membership is FREE.  The three minute dates allow you to know whether there is a connection or not.  And for those who cannot live without their iPhone they have now released an application that allows you to take dating on the road at your fingertips.

About Dan:

Dan Abelon is originally from New York, where he earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University. Dan later moved to California to attend Stanford Business School, where he met SpeedDate’s other cofounder, Simon. Before earning his MBA at Stanford and starting SpeedDate.com, Dan worked as a strategy consultant for IBM Business Consulting Services. While at IBM, he founded SmartVolunteer.org, an Internet service that utilizes the web to match skilled volunteers with nonprofits. 

About Speed Date:  

SpeedDate.com is the world’s first online speed dating website. SpeedDate’s patented system allows singles to meet each other through 3-minute online speed dates from the comfort of home. In under an hour on SpeedDate, you can meet up to 15 people using live video and instant messaging. Since we launched in late 2007, SpeedDate has hosted millions of online SpeedDates.

Unlike other online dating options, SpeedDate.com allows singles to immediately determine if they have chemistry before taking the time to meet in person. SpeedDate works because you get a much better sense of your connection to another person when your first meeting is a live interaction.

The Zoosk online dating member community includes more than 40 countries around the globe but with fully localized the experience by integrating more than 13 languages into its platform with more coming soon.  It is the first to have geo-coded many areas around the world which allows for members to connect with others who are truly located near them.

There are many ways to join Zoosk.  You can add the Zoosk application through Facebook, Bebo, Hi5, Friendster and MySpace or simply sign up at Zoosk.com. Then simply send messages to others through a wink or a flirt. When sending a flirt, users have the ability to attach a virtual gift, such as a bouquet of flowers or a rose or even purchase virtual gifts with “Zoosk coins,” which can be purchased through the Zoosk online store.

The entry level allows you to set up a date card and meet and connect with others through winks and flirts but upgrading to a Premium Membership allows for unlimited ability to communicate with other users, have a secure premium profile placement, and the ability to see who has viewed your Date Card. 

About Alex:

Alex Mehr is an Entrepreneur, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Zoosk.com

About Zoosk:

Zoosk.com is a safe, fun, and delightful online dating site for millions of singles to interact and search for their matches. As the fastest growing social dating network, Zoosk seamlessly integrates with the most popular social networking sites including Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, and Hi5. Zoosk is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Leveraging the collective voice of our enthusiastic users to spread the word about Zoosk, we have fostered a community of 15 million members (a.k.a. zooskers) spanning over 40 countries around the globe.

About Paul:

Paul is the CEO of The Right One, Together Dating which boasts 60 locations and growing. Under Mr. Falzone’s leadership the Company is ranked 31st in the 2007 Boston Business Journal, Fastest Growing Private Companies in Massachusetts and was recently named to Inc Magazine’s list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America with a three year growth rate of 133%. Paul Falzone spearheaded the merger between the two companies in 1999 and directed the transformation of national marketing from direct mail to internet in 2002. Currently he oversees the long term strategic direction of the company along with R&D. Mr. Falzone holds a B.S. degree from Suffolk University.

About The Right One:

Before describing the specifics of our membership programs, we’d first like to introduce ourselves. We are the largest personal introduction service in the world and have survived, and thrived, over the years because of many things:

1. We care about our members.

2. We train our staff in a variety of relationship issues.

3. We spend a great deal of time and money keeping our membership “fresh”, new, and diverse.

4. We understand your concerns about safety.

5. We put our money where our mouth is and offer guarantees on our memberships. We provide the services promised.

With over 90 locations and offices across the nation we have the experience and the membership to meet our members needs. And should you ever need to move your membership to another location, you can transfer to any of our affiliates providing you are still a member in good standing. Simply talk with your personal consultant about such a transfer.

What Women Wish You Knew About Dating is a great guide for all men who want to find the right girl to settle down with and how to be the right man for her.

About Stephen:

Stephen W. Simpson is the author of Assaulted by Joy: The Redemption of a Cynic,What Women Wish You Knew about Dating, and co-author of What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew about Sex. His work has appeared in Relevant Magazine, Burnside Writers Collective, Runners World Magazine and he is a columnist for DivineCaroline.com.

About What Women Wish You Knew About Dating: The single guys guide to romantic relationships:

Most books on romantic relationships focus on mate selection, marriage, and sexual purity. But before all that can happen, a guy has to get a date! What Women Wish You Knew about Dating equips men with the skills they need to begin dating. Author Stephen W. Simpson educates men about spiritual and psychological obstacles to dating and provides solutions to the problems that often interfere with a healthy, holy dating life. With a unique blend of biblical principles, psychological insight, practical advice, and humor, this book shows the reader how to be a man, date like a man, and get that relationship off to a great start. Whether just entering the dating game or back after being widowed or divorced, men of all ages will benefit from this straightforward and candid treatment of male sexuality and dating.

About Marleah Stout:

Marleah Stout is Senior Manager of Publicity at Harlequin Enterprises Limited, the global leader in series romance and one of the world’s leading publishers of women’s fiction, with titles issued worldwide in 29 languages and sold in 107 international markets.

Co-editor of Harlequin’s annual Romance Report, which is in its 20^th year, is published in 14 countries worldwide, Marleah is Harlequin’s resident romance expert and has appeared on shows like CNN, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Hollywood Reporter providing the inside scoop on the hottest romantic trends.

In 2008, Marleah spearheaded the planning and orchestration of the events surrounding Harlequin’s launch in India.  She was chiefly responsible for the press conference and launch party, which was attended by media, celebrities, socialites and key political figures.

Previously, Marleah served as a judge on the Oxygen Network’s hit reality TV series, “Mr. Romance” and has also worked with Calvin Klein and Club Monaco.  She also owned her own boutique.

About Harlequin Enterprises Ltd:

Harlequin Enterprises has a deep, unquenched passion for romance novels. A unit of Torstar, Harlequin Enterprises is unique in the women’s fiction market, combining highly recognizable imprints—Harlequin, Silhouette, MIRA Books, Red Dress Ink, LUNA Books, HQN Books, Steeple Hill Books, Steeple Hill Café, Kimani Press, Spice, Gold Eagle.  Harlequin publishes in some 100 international markets, with such racy titles as “Incriminating Passion”, “Mistress on Loan”, and “Silent Desires” . Most books are published in series and as single titles, and are sold through retailers and directly to consumers. All total, Harlequin publishes some 115 titles a month in nearly 30 languages on six continents. These books are written by more than 1,300 authors worldwide. A highly successful reader service and an innovative Website (eHarlequin.com) and forward-looking technology (eBooks, downloadable audio, mobile phone applications) that not only allows the company to move further and further into the forefront of women’s fiction but continues to position Harlequin for growth. 

Company Goal: being the world’s leading publisher of women’s fiction

In the past social networks were large, rich and diverse and above all happened naturally.  But today companies are asking us to do more with less and the number of hours spent working and commuting has risen significantly.  This means we have less and less time to devote to building social networks and less time to spend in community organizations that help us build them.  Bottom line our social networks are in trouble.

We can’t wait until disaster strikes to find out how strong–or weak–our social networks are.  When everything goes south… the sudden lay-off, the terminal diagnosis, the fire that destroys our home. That’s not the time to find out what our social networks can do – or realize that they aren’t up to the job.

Do we know whom to call to bring chicken soup, get another opinion, get help with insurance issues? Can we immediately shoot our resumes to a list of professionals who respect us and “know people who know people” in our industries? Do we have a place to crash for the night and a shoulder to cry on?

Social media is transforming the Internet–and the way we do business. If you aren’t harnessing the power of these vital tools, chances are your competitors are. But harnessing the power of Web 2.0 requires more than just technical savvy, it calls for an understanding of how these social networks operate–because these sites are communities, with all that name implies.  We all have busy lives and adding Social Networking to it can be a positive addition.  However, in order for it to be a positive experience you must clarify your social networking goals.  Are you using it to establish additional business connections build a political constituency or are you looking for a deeper and more fulfilling relationship? So what is the first step and where do you start. Listen in to Jeanne as she and Craig discuss this very issue.

About Jeanne:

Jeanne Hurlbert, PhD works with online marketers, government agencies, and large corporations to develop social network strategies, craft surveys, and harness the power of social media.   She is co-founder of MySurveyExpert.com, which provides survey services for small- to mid-sized businesses; of MySocialMediaExpert.com, which crafts social media strategies; and is CEO of MySocialNetworkExpert.com, which helps professional women develop optimal networks for their careers and their lives.

About Optinet Resources LLC:

At Optinet Resources, we help our clients craft social networks to harness all of these benefits. We begin by assessing our clients’ social networks. We then develop a plan to strengthen weaknesses of their social networks and guide their progress to help them create and maintain social networks that are optimal for them.

We provide these social network services individually, to business people and entrepreneurs. We also teach clients in companies and associations to develop their social networks, through online social network assessment and social network seminars.

We make sure your social network:

• Provides resources to build your business or career: money, employees, expertise.

• Offers you and your family practical assistance in the hectic day-to-day busy-ness of life – and in times of crisis.

• Helps you secure your next job, client, sale.

• Supports and mentors you, personally and professionally.

About Sam:

Sam Yagan is Co-Founder & CEO of www.OkCupid.com, the largest free online dating site in America, as well as www.CrazyBlindDate.com, a free website where you can coordinate dates last minute, whenever you want. This site is for adventurous, social people who want a fun, last minute date for the evening. He is a noted relationship and dating expert, having been featured and interviewed on The Mike & Juliet Show, NBC News (Boston, MA & Austin, TX), CBS News (Austin, TX), Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta, ABC’s Hot Topics, On Dating, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, LoveToKnow, Cupid Cast TV, among others. Sam regularly provides relationship advice in popular magazines and newspapers including Cosmopolitan, The Village Voice, Seventeen, Philadelphia Inquirer, OK! Magazine, among others. Sam was profiled in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week and Fast Company; he also testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and was named to Billboard magazine’s list of “Top 30 Executives Under 30.” Sam has a BA with honors in Applied Mathematics & Economics from Harvard College and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where he graduated first in his class, earning the Henry Ford II, Arjay Miller, and Siebel Scholarships.

Michael’s Bio:

Dr. Michael Rabby, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of communication studies at the University of Portland in Oregon. He joined the UP faculty in 2005 following three years of service at the University of Central Florida. Prior to that, Rabby taught at the University of Houston after earning his doctorate in communication from Arizona State University.

He currently teaches courses in quantitative research methods and interpersonal communication at the University of Portland and his areas of research and analysis include interpersonal relationships and the maintenance of them, the Internet’s impact on relationships, online romantic relationships, long-distance relationships, and couples’ verbal communication. He has produced numerous papers and articles for peer-reviewed journals and other publications.

 University of Portland:

The University of Portland’s Department of Communication Studies seeks to understand how people use symbols to construct knowledge and exert influence. At the heart of this mission is the fundamental concern with the processes through which humans convey messages to audiences and a belief that human communication is central in creating just societies. The department is dedicated to educating students in the liberal arts tradition to produce knowledgeable, responsible, and skilled professional communicators that understand how to communicate effectively and ethically in all human arenas.

A self-made millionaire and father of seven, Troy Dunn gives you practical templates for easy, kid-friendly businesses that you can introduce to your children so that they can start earning their own money quickly.

Young Buck$ includes everything Dunn has learned during his very successful business career as an entrepreneur and in his work with thousands of young people seeking business guidance. It features chapters on age-appropriate, step-by-step action plans for you to help your children find and implement great money-making ideas. Additional chapters explain what schemes you should avoid, how to spot business scams, why lotteries are a terrible place to put your money, why it’s good for kids to invest in the stock market, and practical advice on the legal aspects of owning a business.

His latest project is called Troy The Locator, was designed by Troy Dunn for the purpose of continuing his mission of “reuniting half the world with the other half”. and it will air on Women’s Entertainment Television. Interested in finding someone who you have lost contact with — they are still looking for 6 more contestants.

In 1990, Troy helped his own mother (who was adopted as a baby) locate her own biological family. That single event caused Troy and his then-partner to build an organization that did one thing- help people reunite with long lost friends and family members.

In the past 16 years, Troy and his team have assisted thousands of people worldwide in doing just that. In fact, it is estimated that over 300 million people have personally witnessed one of Troy’s reunions on national TV. Troy has personally appeared (many times) on virtually every network morning show and syndicated talk show in the U.S. plus TV guest appearances on shows on the BBC in the U.K.

Those appearances have earned him the respect of media notables from Barbara Walters to John Walsh and have brought him an unexpected level of public recognition that actually makes it more difficult to “surprise” someone with a dream reunion- because they know instantly why he is there!

TroyTheLocator.com was launched to help more people than ever in their pursuit of a long lost friend and family member. The Instant People Locator is the brain child of Troy and was created using one of the most in-depth and accurate data files available anywhere. Unlike other online people finder searches, Troy’s Instant People Locator does NOT rely on worthless white pages for its data but instead combines thousands of somewhat obscure record files into one massive data pool, which he then makes available to the public for more accurate Locate results.

Additionally, while his constant TV work now keeps him from maintaining his private investigator license, he has contracted with a select group of his personal favorite investigators from all over the country to do the Pro Locates for visitors to TroyTheLocator.com. These investigators have either been personally trained by Troy or have previously worked for Troy in a locating capacity.

ABOUT TROY

Troy Dunn is a self-made millionaire. He is a successful businessman and public speaker, radio host, and writer on the subject of financial success and personal happiness. For his business venture dedicated to reuniting separated friends and family, Troy was considered for more than a decade one of the most frequently seen guest experts on national television. After thirteen years of building and running that company, Troy sold it for undisclosed millions, freeing him to focus on his passion for assisting other organizations. He now consults four corporate clients a year in motivating their own management teams in leadership, overcoming obstacles, team-building, and guerrilla marketing and in major media manipulation, strategy, and results. Troy married his high-school sweetheart, Jennifer, and together they are raising seven beautiful children.

Troy Dunn is no doubt familiar to you from his 14 years of national television appearances as “the reunion guy” on virtually every talk show on TV. He has made numerous guest appearances on Good Morning America, Regis & Kelly, 48 Hours, Sixty Minutes, and has even been interviewed by Barbara Walters! He is also the host of the new NBC reality show, “Extreme Reunion” where he will be making people’s dreams come true! (Watch your local listings)

For the past four years, Troy has been the host of the syndicated talk radio show, “The DunnDeal Show”, heard from coast to coast in 81 cities and Canada. He is retiring from radio to focus on his new television show but still makes over 30 guest radio appearances every month!

In 1992, Troy and his partner self published their first book, The Locator, which drove revenue in excess of $10 million dollars over the next 8 years! Subsequently, this success lead to publishing deals for Troy with two of the largest publishers in the U.S., Bantam-Doubleday and Berkley-Putnam. In the Spring of 2004 Troy is releasing his latest book which is geared towards parenting success.

Due to his very busy schedule, Troy is able to accept only a small portion of the speaking invitations sent him each week, and chooses his engagements not based on fees, but on the quality of the audience and organization inviting him. He has been the keynote speaker at major corporations such as the SONY EXECUTIVE RETREAT as well as PIZZA HUT CORP, has been the Closing Keynote for the YEO World Conference (where all members must own a business with gross revenue of at leat 1 million dollars) and has even done informative break-out sessions for organizations such as American Mothers Association. From audiences as large as 10,000 to groups as small as 200, Troy loves to be around great people and selects his engagements based on that criteria.

As a personal diversion from corporate America and an escape from the studio lights of television, Troy does a few stand up comedy show each year to sell-out crowds in target U.S. cities. His show, “The Family Comedy Tour”, is 100% pure clean comedy that is geared right for the heart of the american family. Old or young, married or single, with or without kids, Troy’s 75 minute stand-up routine will leave you howling in tears of laughter as he transports you back to your own childhood and sometimes into your own home! He really downplays his comedy talents and has turned down invitations to make a full-time career out of it, but if you can convince him to come to your area and perform his show, you will be a hero to your audience! (Some groups have actually used Troy’s comedy show as a fund raiser by selling the show tickets and merchandise, such as t-shirts, autographed photos, etc..)

Kids these days are texting their friends, watching TV, playing video games and sometimes driving all at the same time.  Multi-tasking is creating a generation of kids who just plain can’t deal with thinking things through, making decisions on their own or having what used to be called a “normal” life.

Today’s show Tech Talk show, number 432,  deals with the problems these youth are facing, as well  as their parents, employers and even society.

MILLENNIALS BLAZING A NEW TRAIL The upcoming generation of consumers and its connection to digital technology will force a wide variety of industries to change the way they market and conduct business. A lengthy article in yesterday’s New York Times focused on The Magid Millennial Strategy Group and how our clients are at the forefront of discovering how Millennials use technology to stay in constant contact with other people, as well as sources of information and entertainment.

“What we’re seeing is a whole different relationship with marketing and advertising, which obviously has ripple effects through the entire economy,” MacKenzie said. “Reliance and trust in nontraditional sources-meaning everyday people, their friends, their networks, the network they’ve created around them – has a much greater influence on their behaviors than traditional advertising.”

Magid calls the generation of 9-28 — Millennials (Gen M):

·         Theses millennials thrive in P2G – Peer To Group vs. Word of Mouth communication

·         Understanding Millennials is not about technology – it’s understanding what technology enables them to do

·         Millennials exhibit a shared, not short attention span

o       They are expert Multi-taskers

o       Technology integral to their social interaction

o       Movie Theater – “Anti-Millennial” Experience

o       Millennials are wired differently

o       “Can’t live without” cell phones….or laptops

o       All communication starts with the cell phone

Bio

Jack MacKenzie, Senior Vice President, Entertainment, is in his 5th year as head of the Los Angeles office.  During that time he has created and built strategy-based consultation services for a broad spectrum of clients.  Jack works closely with many of the broadcast networks and leading cable channels on program development, brand and positioning and daypart strategies as well as new initiatives aimed at creating new revenue streams.  Additionally, Jack works closely with Internet and game companies looking to expand their audiences through the delivery of consumer researched product offerings. Over the past year Jack has created The Millennial Strategy Group, enlisting an exclusive list of clients focused on creating and executing strategies for members of the Millennial Generation.

FRANK MAGID and ASSOCIATES

Frank N. Magid Associates, the world leader in research-based consultation, applies the most rigorous research methods available to study behaviors, attitudes, and intentions of your audience. Our knowledge base is substantive, encompassing thousands of research studies and consultation engagements.

Founded in 1957, Frank N. Magid Associates has provided strategic insight and direction for clients in 37 countries around the world. We have developed an international reputation for excellence that spans multiple industries.

Our clients include Fortune 500 companies and leaders in their respective industries, as well as promising young companies looking to leverage the market knowledge Magid can provide to help them reach the top.

Our 350 experienced professionals and operations staff serve clients around the world from offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Marion, Iowa.

In January 2006, DowntownWomensClub.com, a women’s network and career website, surveyed 1,000+ business women across three generations to spot trends about technology and online networking. We then compared the responses from the three generations – Generation Y, Generation X and Baby Boomers – and found some startling differences between these groups.

Key Findings

When it came to networking online:
The main drivers for online networking are “time-management” issues.
Gen Ys are more likely to use online social networks for business.
When asked why they didn’t network online, nearly 1/3rd of the respondents put “don’t know how” as a reason.
Nearly 1/3rd of the respondents can’t be found on Google (or have never bothered to “ego-Google” themselves).
Gen Xers like their high-tech gadgets more than the other generations.
None of the generations are blogging or reading blogs with regularity for business purposes.
We found that Gen Ys showed a significant increase in the number of their moms who worked, and in the number of different sports they played growing up.

Table Talk is not a one-size-fits-all networking book. It’s specifically tailored to women and our unique concerns, obstacles and lifestyles. With its real world tips and best friend style, Table Talk teaches women to use the skills we’ve got to build the relationships we need to move ahead in both work and play. It introduces a lifestyle and language about creating connections that will change the whole landscape and have everybody talking.

Bio

Diane K. Danielson is the CEO of DowntownWomensClub.com a career website and the creator of DWC Faces, social network for businesswomen (www.dwcfaces.com). In addition, Diane is the co-author of Table Talk: The Savvy Girl’s Alternative to Networking (2003); a blogger for the BostonWorks section of the Boston Globe; and is a contributing writer for PINK, a national women’s business magazine.