5 Questions... with Zaigham Zulqernain

Zaigham Zulqernain is this week's 5 questions "celebrity"!

Zaigham is a born-entrepreneur who has used his experience in shaking up the arts/culture and .com industries with his innovative and leading-edge companies to create a creative media arts and strategy agency that is literally redefining how brands execute their marketing plans and budgets in this age of "modern marketing."   

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

The fact that what I do actually grows and changes the industry that I work in. Plus I am fully blessed that I get to meet and hang out with some of the coolest people in the world. This interaction is also a great motivator. 

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

Spend time to create a goal and a vision for where you want to go and then stick to it. Circumstances and things might change, but sticking to the overall vision is one of the keys to success. If you focus and remember where you need to go, then you can say yes to the things that will help you get there and so no to the things that can be potentially distracting. 

 

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

I think its due to the diverse nature of the people who live here.  There is an openness to support new ideas and the people here are willing to help more than any other city. 

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

Right now I can't get enough of HD. I just bought an HD camera that records slo-mo and time-lapse. Fricken cool. The next big phase of marketing is the adoption of online video as a major marketing channel. So HD is better.

In terms of social media, I read a bunch of online sites. It's important to keep up with all of the info and one site just doesn't do it.  What is funny is that I get a ton of my info from Twitter. 

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

Saul Colt is number one on my list. He is not only doing his thing here in Toronto, he makes sure that he travels to other cities to ensure that he gains the full knowledge required to grow in this business. This knowledge has lead to some of the best marketing ideas I have seen in awhile.  Plus, he's a comic book nerd like me. 

Do you think you deserve to be showcased on "5 Questions"?  Do you know someone in Toronto who does?  Feel free to comment below.