A Bigger Voice: The Technology Sherpa: Simon Young

Simon Young is a story listener and storyteller from Auckland, New Zealand. He’s the founder of social media consultancy iJump, copywriting agency SimonYoungWriters, and the world’s first consumer-generated documentary, Looksy.org.

Having neglected to go to university, Simon considers himself an unqualified success. His lack of formal education disguises a ferocious hunger for knowledge, which he fills in the form of books, blogs, podcasts, and—especially—conversations with smart, interesting people.

Since 2000 Simon has covered the interactive marketing space in publications such as Marketing Magazine, introducing marketers to emerging technologies such as e-mail marketing and blogging.

Not content to simply write about social marketing, Simon has tried it out himself. You’ll find him on most of the better social networks, as well as blogging regularly at Mad Young Thing, Simon Young, and iJump; and on micro-blogging service Twitter. He also co-hosts the weekly “Jump In!” video podcast with iJump cofounder Marie Young, chatting with marketers and communicators about their use of social media.

As an early adopter, Simon has learned how to benefit from new media tools through trial and error. He’s discovered that the key ingredient for success is not technological at all, but rather a strong, clear vision and a desire to learn.

His own desire to learn leads him to be a regular caller on several marketing podcasts, including “For Immediate Release,” “Jaffe Juice,” and “Six Pixels of Separation.”

Simon is a popular speaker on new media and blogging at marketing and public relations conferences, where he injects genuine interactions into his presentations—showing, not telling, what’s at the heart of social media: people talking and listening to other people.

Simon lives in the beautiful bushlands of West Auckland with his wife Marie.

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