I was surprised and honored yesterday to receive the Custom Media Innovator of the Year award presented by American Business Media at the Union Club in New York City. Awards are always nice, but the best part was receiving the award from my friend and colleague Anne O'Brien (pictured) from SourceMedia. In addition, my good friend and mentor Michael Hurley from HanleyWood was in the audience as well.
The other finalists are all trailblazers in the industry, including my friend Laura Chavoen from Imagination, Charles Lee from IDG and Pete Sobic from Northbrook / Randall-Reilly.
In her speech, Anne said, "Joe has been the true evangelist for the custom media industry. Whether through his speaking, the book, the Junta42 educational site, or Junta42’s new content matching product, Joe is taking the industry where it needs to go.”
Thanks Anne! Lots more to be done. The majority of businesses out there still do not realize the impact they can make on their customers and prospects by communicating valuable, relevant and compelling content. Doing this on a consistent basis and becoming "part" of the conversation (and not just "talking at" customers) is marketing for the present and future.
The more companies that learn this and begin to practice it will help to shape not only a better business for those companies, but a better marketing world overall. Like some people fighting against global warming, I believe that poor communications is a detriment to society. By helping companies communicate more effectively, we are improving the world. Yes, a bit hokey, but honest.
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Congratulations, Joe.
I've been around awhile, in a different industry. I've never seen an individual... (I know you've had help from Newt Barrett, so I'll include him.) I've never seen just two individuals have such a profound effect on a major industry in such a short time. Do you ever sleep?
Posted by: Bob Leonard | June 18, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Congratulations Joe!
That's a tremendous honor. And it's well-deserved!
Posted by: Paul Conley | June 18, 2008 at 09:50 PM
I can attest that Joe does NOT sleep. He does, however, leave his computer every night from 5 to 7 (don't think we haven't noticed), presumably to have dinner with his wife and kids.
Congrats again, Joe. You really deserve it!
Posted by: Gretel Going | June 18, 2008 at 09:55 PM
@Bob - Too kind my friend. Sleep is overrated when launching a business. I must say though, I drink much more coffee than a used to.
@Paul - Many thanks...I get great perspective from many of your blog posts. They have truly helped.
@Gretel - You found my secret...but it's more like 5:30 to 8:00.
Posted by: Joe Pulizzi | June 19, 2008 at 09:08 AM