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.

Since writing this blog since 2006, and am honored that it’s been recognized as a ranked analyst blog by Edelman’s Analyst Relations practice.

I’m currently Partner of Customer Strategy at Altimeter Group, a research based advisory firm.

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 have served as a regular columnist for Forbes magazine.  Learn more about these in the upper right tabs on this blog.

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: Industry Analyst
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 marketer

Social Media: Vendor Side
PodTech Network | Director of Corporate Media Strategy | Educated and advised corporations on social media, business development

Social Media: Brand Side
Hitachi Data Systems | Online Community Marketing Manager | Launched and managed integrated social media program: blogs, wiki, forum, rss, podcasts, real world events

Hitachi 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

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)
    • Education
    Bachelors Degree, San Francisco State University, Focus on Marketing.

    Personal
    I’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. Also, my Great Grandmother Dr. Faith Sai So Leong was the first female dentist in the United States in 1905, cited on SFGate.

    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.

    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.