5 Questions...with Danny Brown

With the world's attention still focused on the rebuilding of Haiti, I thoughts we'd use this week's "5 Questions..." to highlight a person who is using his social media powers for good.  I'm very excited to present to the Techvibes community, Danny Brown.

Danny Brown has been providing business branding and emerging media consultancy services to the consumer and commercial markets for more than 15 years, from small start-ups to Fortune 500 businesses. His blog is featured in the AdAge Power 150 list and is syndicated by the WebProNews, iEntry, Social Media Today and Newstex networks.

Danny is currently the social media strategist for Maritz Canada as well as the founder of the 12for12k Challenge, a unique social media-led charity initiative that connects globally and helps locally. The project raised $91,275 for numerous charities in 2009.  Danny's 12for12k Challenge is hosting a charity event this Friday in Burlington, Ontario called "The Foo Fighters in Boston"  If you're in the Burlington area on Friday night take the time to check out this cool event.  All funds raised are going to the Hope for Haiti charity.

What motivates you to do what you do on a daily basis?

The very fact that the way we're communicating is changing forever. It doesn't matter if it's from a personal angle; a business angle; a technology angle, or any other. The fact that we now have access to some of the most amazing tools, platforms and information that we could only dream about 5-10 years ago is motivational. How could you not be motivated to see what can be done with all these options? It can only get crazier from here.

Do you have any success start-up tips for people wanting to create a name for themselves in your industry?

Define what makes you different from everyone else. It can be such a closeted medium and space that it's becoming ever harder to stand out or carve an identity. So define what you'll bring to the table that either hasn't been offered yet, or how you can take an existing idea/voice/approach and make it better. Network like crazy with the folks that can both help you and be helped by you in return, audit to see if the market is ready for "another you", then go at it full tilt. It's cliched, but it really is all or nothing. And never stop learning.

In your opinion why is Toronto a hotbed for cool tech start-ups?

I think it's a reflection of the Canadian attitude overall. Look at some of the cool stuff that's going on over in Ottawa, for example, with the likes of Overlay.tv (disclosure - Overlay.tv is the video partner for the 12for12k project).Or the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program with Ford that's leading the way in energy efficient vehicles in North America. As a Brit, it's clear to see that Canada has an amazing attitude to new ways of working and exploring how tech and people/business can come together. It also helps that Toronto offers great incentives that allows smart brains to take risks.

What's your favourite tech toy and social media site and why?

Tech toy is easy - the Flip HD. This is an incredible piece of kit and really allows anyone to make pretty high quality videos for a tiny amount. Of course, the creative aspect may not live up to the visual aspect, but still... I feel video blogging will really start to be a wide medium this year, as people and businesses look to build on the human face of social media, and video offers that in a way mere text can't. As far as social media sites go, it's probably Social Media Today. There's always a great collection of different viewpoints from some really smart folk, and some great insights in the comments too.

Who would you say is one of Toronto's social media/tech stars and why?

Jay Moonah. The guy is awesome and has so many things going on its hard to keep up. But his podcast is superb; his blog a great mix of human and business; and he's one of the key folks behind the likes of Podcamp Toronto. What's not to love?