About
Jeremiah Owyang
As a Web Strategist, I strive to deliver insight on disruptive technologies and their impact on how companies communicate with their customers. I’ve been writing this blog since 1996, and am honored that it’s been recognized as a top analyst blog within the industry (see right sidebar) and by readers like you. (You can learn more about the readers of this blog by viewing these survey findings from December 2009.)
I’m currently Partner of Customer Strategy at Altimeter Group, a strategy consulting firm that provides thought leadership, research, and consulting on digital strategies. I work closely with my clients to craft and deliver successful, long-term strategies which integrate customer/community needs, business objectives, and technology. See my post on The Three Spheres of Web Strategy.
Previously, I was a Senior Analyst at Forrester Research, and have over 10 years experience as a practitioner on both the vendor and brand side. I’m frequently quoted in the mainstream press, speak at conferences all over the world, and serve as a regular columnist for Forbes magazine. Links to my speaking engagements and press mentions are below.
Disclosures
I review technology products that are related to social media. I disclose who I’ve received them from, and give them away after I’m done reviewing them. The job board (right column) is an affiliate program, where I receive a percentage of fees from companies who post job openings.
Employment History
(Company | Title | What I actually did)
Disruptive Technology: Analyst and Consultant
Altimeter Group | Partner | Strategy consultant focused on customer strategy of emerging technologies (current position since Aug 09)Social Media: Industry Analyst
Forrester Research | Senior Analyst | Advised and researched on social computing for the interactive marketerSocial Media: Vendor Side
PodTech Network | Director of Corporate Media Strategy | Educated and advised corporations on social media, business developmentSocial Media: Brand Side
Hitachi Data Systems | Online Community Marketing Manager | Launched and managed integrated social media program: blogs, wiki, forum, rss, podcasts, real world eventsHitachi Data Systems | Global Web Marketing Manager | Managed global enterprise intranet and customer extranet
World Savings (now Wells Fargo) | Intranet Architect (LADM) | Aligned disparate enterprise intranet
Cable and Wireless | User Interface Designer | Designed customer extranet portal
Exodus Communications | User Interface Designer | Designed enterprise intranet, light development, and production
In the News
For all press and media mentions, see this full archive of press mentions, recent highlights include:
Internet News, Sept 18th
Mobile’s Next Big Thing: Augmented RealityNBC Los Angeles, Sept 17th
Twitter Envy Is Not Just a Facebook ProblemNew York Times, Sept 14th
Facebook Is Going for Some Twitter SensibilityInternet News, Sept 9
Facebook’s on the Mobile MoveInvestors, August 28
Searching Social Sites For Cool Suggestions
Research
View all of my Forrester Research, or select reports below:
Future of the Social Web, May 2009 Social Media Playtime is Over, May 2009 The Best and Worst of Social Network Marketing, 2008 Google’s OpenSocial: Good News For Marketing Widgets But No Silver Bullet April 10, 2008 How To Staff For Social Computing February 28, 2008 Online Communities: Build Or Join? February 28, 2008 Online Community Best Practices February 13, 2008
Speaking
I’m a professional speaker, for conferences, internal events, and workshops. Visit my speaking page to learn more.
Board of Advisors
Previously, I sat on Board of Advisors, to offer guidance and strategy to successful startups.
After becoming an Industry Analyst, I resigned from all advisory roles and do not own stock in any of thefollowing companies. Some of the the CEOs have provided a reference regarding my service.
Board of Advisors member for Social Media Club, Non Profit User Group (2006 – July 2007) Board of Advisors member for ConnectBeam (2006 – July 2007) Board of Advisors member for Worksona, (2006 – Sept 2007) Board of Advisors member for Ustream (May 2007 – Sept 2007)
Publications
Select publications include:
Dow Jones’s Factiva: Tracking the Influence: Social Media Measurement (White Paper) | August, 2007 Website Magazine: Social Media from the Drawing board to the Board Room (Article) | August, 2007 White Paper: Business and I.T. Must Work Together to Manage New “Web 2.0″ Tools (White Paper) | Jan, 2006 Video Show: Web Strategy Show, read premise or watch archives | 2006-Present
Education
Bachelors Degree, San Francisco State University, Focus on Marketing.
PersonalI’m a young generation X who grew up with computers but not the internet. I can relate to both those that are born with the internet (natives) and those that have to learn it (immigrants). This makes my experience much more rich, as I can be the bridge between both of these worlds.
I’m a fifth generation Chinese-American, my Grandfather’s Grandfather came to the United States in the 1880s, (read story) and we’ve stayed ever since. There’s some info about my unique last name here and here.
I’m often asked how to pronounce my last name, I prefer if you pronounce my last name “Ow-Yang”, and not the Irish variation, although I won’t mind if you do.
I’m a former Jazz performance music major (piano and trombone) and spent a lot of my life in the arts. My wife and I enjoy salsa dancing, when we can afford the time, and I strive to stay in shape through jogging, weights, and the occasional swim.
Left: We attempt to Salsa Dance at the amusement of our wedding reception audience.
Profile Photo Credits: Thomas Hawk. Upper left image taken by Laughing Squid
Need to reach me? see options at the contact page.
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