Mark Adams

Mark has spent nearly 20 years in technology marketing and 10 in corporate finance. He co-founded the global technology PR firm, Text 100, which grew to become Next Fifteen Communications, owner of other marketing communications operations such as Bite and OutCast Communications, and which is listed on London's AIM stock market. He is now a Partner with Pembridge Partners LLP, a UK-based finance and investment firm specialising in the media, internet and creative sector where he has served as non-Executive Director and advises on M&A and MBO transactions.

Chris Heuer

Chris has been working in digital strategy for over 13 years. Most recently, Chris formed the Social Media Club to bring together people interested in exploring important issues of ethics, practices and standards. He is currently working on a book called "Listen. Join. Start. The Social Media Playbook" which serves as the framework for how he helps company's engage in market conversations. Previously Chris started an Interactive Agency in 1994, built a local content network, served as Chief of eBusiness for the US Mint, designed an advanced Content Management System for a Fortune 1000 company and taught interactive marketing at Miami Ad School.

Peter Hirshberg

Peter has spent 30 years in high tech and luxury product marketing and most recently has served as Chief Marketing Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committe for Technorati. Peter was a key member of Apple's marketing team for nine years, including at the time of the Macintosh introduction in the early 1980s. Peter went on to develop and sell Elemental Software to Macromedia and then became the CEO of Gloss, a multi-brand ecommerce business co-owned by Estee Lauder Companies, Chanel and Clarins.

Giovanni Rodriguez

Giovanni has spent 25 years working in corporate communications. Recently he served as a principal at Eastwick Communications, a leading Silicon Valley PR agency. Giovanni left Eastwick in 2006 in order to found Hubbub, a communications consultancy focused on the integration of PR and participatory media into the traditional marketing mix. Giovanni has merged Hubbub into The Conversation Group. Known for his work in positioning and introducing new technologies, he has consulted for a broad range of technology leaders including Fujitsu, SAP, HP, Business Objects, and VMware.

Ted Shelton

Ted has spent the past 20 years working in the high tech industry, as a software developer and executive in both public and privately held companies. Most recently Ted developed a new participatory media platform called The Personal Bee, which was acquired by Technorati in early 2007. Ted has been active in re-envisioning Technorati's product roadmap and business strategy and as a part of this effort created The Conversation Group as a key Technorati partner. Prior roles include Chief Strategy Officer of Borland Software and Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for WhoWhere.

Denise Vardakas

Denise has spent five years working in communications and marketing. Prior to joining The Conversation Group, she managed PR and new media campaigns for telecom, video, wireless and enterprise networking companies at Eastwick Communications, a leading Silicon Valley high-tech PR agency. Prior to that, Denise developed and managed regional marketing campaigns for businesses in the automotive, legal, and real estate industries.