Be the Voice
Some of the latest news, assignments, and appearances for Spark Media Solutions.
Cranky on Google Buzz, people who don't own TVs, and Teens Cranky on Google Buzz, people who don't own TVs, and Teens

February 10th, 2010 - On Cranky Geeks this week, John C. Dvorak and David Spark argue about planted tech stories and how annoying it is when people announce, "I don't have a TV." Is that paradigm changing?

Cranky Geeks asks, 'Are we living in a Googleopoly?' Cranky Geeks asks, 'Are we living in a Googleopoly?'

January 12th, 2010 - On Cranky Geeks, John C. Dvorak and David Spark complain about Google pulling out of China, and Spark getting uninvited to a press party.

Is Google dominating or leading the way? Is Google dominating or leading the way?

January 9th, 2010 - David Spark joined Belva Davis on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss what was Google's real plan with the release of the Nexus One, a.k.a. the Google Phone. Are they intent on world domination or are they paving the way?

Cranky on AOL and ICQ - who’s still on it? Cranky on AOL and ICQ - who’s still on it?

December 18th, 2009 - On this week's episode of Cranky Geeks David Spark complains with John C. Dvorak about AOL's purchase of and then never utilized first instant messenger application, ICQ.

Free report 'Real-Time Search and Discovery of the Social Web' Free report "Real-Time Search and Discovery of the Social Web"

December 7th, 2009 - This 20-page free report analyzes the current state of real-time search and discovery. Gives an overview of the market, competitors, and offers some forecasting to future business models.

David Spark reports live from ad:tech NY 2009 David Spark reports live from ad:tech NY 2009

November 5th, 2009 - Two days on the floor at ad:tech NYC 2009, Spark brings back more than 30 video interviews. For a quick summary, watch the show reports from day 1 and day 2.

David Spark complains about cell phone boycotters John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark complains about cell phone boycotters John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks

November 4th, 2009 - On this week's episode David Spark admits that only up until a few months ago a very close relative of his was a cell phone boycotter. John C. Dvorak is stunned.

David Spark appears on 'This Week in Tech' with Leo Laporte David Spark appears on 'This Week in Tech' with Leo Laporte

October 18th, 2009 - David Spark joined John C. Dvorak, Jim Louderback, Baratunde Thurston, and host Leo Laporte for an episode of "This Week in Tech" aka TWiT. The group discussed Twitter lists, Google ramps up, tech journalism ethics, Windows 7, TSA vs. mommy blogger, and more. Check out pictures and video.

9 Successful Techniques for Making Money from Podcasting 9 Successful Techniques for Making Money from Podcasting

October 1st, 2009 - From $50 donations to cover babysitting up to career-making six-figure sponsorships, here are nine techniques as told by 15 podcasters who are successfully pulling it off. Make sure to read and listen to the interviews for more detailed explanation and advice.

David Spark and Adam Curry on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks Cranky on Twitter and Making Money from Podcasting

September 30th, 2009 - On this week's episode David Spark argues with former MTV VJ and Mevio President, Adam Curry, and John C. Dvorak about the $1 billion valuation of Twitter and all the different ways you can make money from podcasting.

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks Cranky on city-wide wi-fi and iPod Nano video

September 16th, 2009 - On this week's episode David Spark argues with John C. Dvorak about city-wide wi-fi and will the iPod Nano deliver better home movies.

10 Creative Contests Powered by Social Media 10 Creative Contests Powered by Social Media

August 11th, 2009 - Social media-powered contests allow for greater business and marketing opportunities beyond just collecting names for a mailing list. Read how companies are using contests to achieve different goals such getting free help, hard to find sources, and creative brainstorming.

20 Expert Tips on Running a Contest Powered by Social Media 20 Expert Tips on Running a Contest Powered by Social Media

August 10th, 2009 - Looking to run a contest, but you're worried nobody will participate? Or worse, that something could go wrong? This article provides great tips from experts on how to run a successful social media-enabled contest. Read on to learn their prize winning formulas.
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14 Successful Techniques for Building Your Industry Voice with Social Media 14 Successful Techniques for Building Your Industry Voice with Social Media

July 12th, 2009 - Get inspired to capitalize on social media for your business with these successful tales of building industry voice. Watch and listen to David Spark's presentation recorded live in Toronto, or read the companion article that has even more examples.
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Power Tech Builders: Robogames David Spark appears in a pilot for Power Tech Builders"

July 13th, 2009 - First pilot segment for "Power Tech Builders" by Omnific Pictures is on the robot competition, Robogames. Great production work by TJ Walkup, Brent Jones, and Seth Worden.

Help! Social Media! Save Me! Help! Social Media! Save Me!

June 4th, 2009 - Social media has incredible powers to connect people in times of need. David Spark describes five such tales in an article on Mashable entitled "5 Unique Stories of Social Media Saving the Day."

Highlights from Interop in Las Vegas Highlights from Interop in Las Vegas

May 25th, 2009 - Reporting for WAN optimization device manufacturer Riverbed, David Spark delivers some of the highlights from the IT networking conference. Check out the coverage of 40 articles of which 30 include video interviews.

12 Inspiring Stories of Successful Social Networkers 12 Inspiring Stories of Successful Social Networkers

April 28th, 2009 - In an article on Mashable by David Spark, read about ten successful network growing techniques and the 12 inspiring stories of the people who made them happen.

KQED-Oracle buys Sun Microsystems David Spark discusses Oracle's purchase of Sun on KQED

April 25th, 2009 - David Spark appeared on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to talk about Oracle's purchase of Sun Microsystems. Spark discusses Oracle's plans, and what this means for the rest of the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

David Allen, GTD Summit, What were your bad habits? GTD Summit: What were your bad habits?

March 16th, 2009 - I attended the GTD Summit in San Francisco and asked everyone what bad habits did they have that they’ve eradicated thanks to David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD). Watch the HD video (Time: 5:51)

5 People Who Broke The Rules of Social Media and Succeeded 5 People Who Broke The Rules of Social Media and Succeeded

March 10th, 2009 - In an article on Mashable, David Spark tells the tale of five people who were told you can't do that in social media, ignored the advice, did it anyway, and succeeded.

David Spark joins socialmedia.biz social media consulting consortium with J.D. Lasica David Spark joins socialmedia.biz

March 3rd, 2009 - This week David Spark officially joined forces with socialmedia.biz, J.D. Lasica’s long running blog about social media. Honored to be selected to participate, Spark is joined by other social luminaries, each providing a different expertise when developing a comprehensive social media strategy. See the press release.

David Spark interviews Shai Agassi, CEO of Better Place David Spark interviews Shai Agassi, CEO of Better Place

February 24th, 2009 - Working at an event for the Jewish Community Federation's Business Leadership Council, David Spark got a chance to interview Shai Agassi, CEO of Better Place about how President Bill Clinton unwittingly developed his company's business plan. Watch the interview and read the full article about how Better Place is rolling out an oil independent transportation network.

Get recognized at your next conference by reporting on it

February 8th, 2009 - Don't just attend or sponsor an event, report on it, from your voice. If you do report you'll get a lot more value, attention, and connections.
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David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks John C. Dvorak lays into David Spark on Cranky Geeks

February 4th, 2009 - On this week's episode John C. Dvorak lays into David Spark about refusing to expose a PR firm's inappropriate behavior. Watch the opening segment that references Spark's story, "Hey PR, bloggers are not tools to be used."

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark is cranky on Verizon, Microsoft, and the Pentagon

November 26th, 2008 - This week on Cranky Geeks, David Spark joins John C. Dvorak and Garnett Lee of 1Up.com to discuss Verizon, Microsoft, and Pentagon security.

"12 Great Tales of De-friending" (Mashable)

November 25th, 2008 - De-friending is the act of removing someone from your social network. The Mashable article tells 12 true stories of de-friending. The Wall Street Journal's AllThingsD picked it up and Spark was also interviewed by Curtis Sliwa on ABC Radio (listen).

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss Jerry Yang stepping down as CEO of Yahoo!

November 22nd, 2008 - Spark covers issues like why Yang stepped down, are they an acquisition target for Microsoft, and what will be their next steps be.

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark is cranky about sex robots

October 15th, 2008 - David Spark joins John C. Dvorak for yet another appearance on his show, Cranky Geeks. We talk about Apple's new MacBook Pro units, a jumbo jet that was taken down by a wireless mouse, and sex robots.

David Spark appears in 21 "how to" videos for AllBusiness.com

August 18th, 2008 - David Spark just finished a series of advice and "how to" videos for the "everything about business" site, AllBusiness.com. David offers beginner advice on business social networking, VoIP, computer security, and document management.

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark can't stop being cranky

July 30th, 2008 - Just a month since his last appearance, David Spark joins John C. Dvorak for another appearance on his show, Cranky Geeks. We talked about the new search engine Cuil, Microsoft revisiting the Folders’ Crystals switcheroo with its suprise Mojave operating system which was really just Vista in disguise, and a redneck that got angry at his lawnmower so he shot it with his shotgun.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss the Google-Yahoo! ad deal

July 18th, 2008 - What does the Google-Yahoo ad deal mean to consumers and advertisers? Watch and find out.

Be recognized as an industry leader...in just days

July 8th, 2008 - Spark Media Solutions launches it's editorial production for live events. Read all about our services, client testimonials, and what Spark Media Solutions can do for your conference across multiple media platforms.

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks, Yet Again

June 25th, 2008 - David Spark stops in the ZD studios for another appearance on John C. Dvorak's Cranky Geeks show. On the show we discuss every tech pub getting an "exclusive interview" with Bill Gates as he leaves, the Yahoo! exodus of senior executives, and how Web 2.0 technologies are infiltrating enterprise-sized companies.

BNET Webcast: Optimizing Online Customer Interactions

June 4th, 2008 - John Gilles and Patrick Newbery of Method join David Spark in a BNET Webcast about “Optimizing Online Customer Interactions.” Throughout the hour conversation, we discussed best types of engagement and how to measure success. Give it a listen.

Spark Media Solutions launches media network for The CMO Club

May 20th, 2008 - During The CMO Club's "You're Not Alone Anymore" conference in NYC, Spark Media Solutions launched the media network for the CMO-only organization. In a day and a half, Spark Media Solutions produced and promoted a blog with 14 videos, 17 posts, and 52 photographs.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss the 15th anniversary of the Web

May 2nd, 2008 - Spark discusses how Tim Berners-Lee's landmark decision 15 years ago launched business on the Web and the culture of innovating through an open platform.

The worst product demonstration I've ever seen and more coverage from the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco

April 24th, 2008 - Spark's coverage of the conference includes a breakthrough bad presentation, a radio report, the cool and not-so-cool from Web 2.0, and twelve videos from industry luminaries such as Clay Shirky, Dan Farber, Kara Swisher, and Rafe Needleman.

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks, Again

April 16th, 2008 - David Spark continues to make appearances on John C. Dvorak's Cranky Geeks show. On the show we discuss Blockbuster's bid to buy Circuit City, social networking for business, and the most offensive video game to play.

New Article on PCWorld.com: Social Networking Helps You Find Solutions

April 14th, 2008 - This "how to" guide will step you through the process of broadcasting your brand while also following your network and key people within your industry.

David Spark appears on The Vino Diaries to discuss social media

April 7th, 2008 - Spark discusses why MySpace will be dead in a few years and how nothing that happens on April Fools' Day is actually funny.

David Spark is in a Rock Band (sort of) David Spark is in a Rock Band (sort of)

March 11th, 2008 - David Spark joins Robert Scoble, Jay Adelson, and Dave McClure in a very silly music video entitled "Rock Band." Lyrics by Randi Zuckerberg, and sung to the tune of "Roxanne" by Police cover band, Stung.

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks

March 5th, 2008 - David Spark makes yet another appearance on John C. Dvorak's Cranky Geeks show. They discuss Ask.com becoming a women’s portal, Comcast charging customers $2 to stop sending junk mail, Google Sites, Adobe Air, and a lot more.

New Article: "Be the VoiceSM" - Build Your Business by Becoming your Industry's Thought Leader

February 20th, 2008 - "Be the Voice" explains why developing thought leadership is critical to growing your business. You'll learn how to develop lots of content cost efficiently while avoiding common pitfalls that could cause your company's media network to fail.
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David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss the end of the writers (WGA) strike

February 15th, 2008 - Spark discusses the writers' victory and how it's really a set up for their negotiation when this contract ends.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss Microsoft's bid to purchase Yahoo

February 9th, 2008 - Spark explains why Microsoft is looking to buy Yahoo for $44.6 billion.

David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks David Spark on John Dvorak's Cranky Geeks

January 17th, 2008 - David Spark makes another appearance on John C. Dvorak's Cranky Geeks show. They talk about CES and some of the best and worst products of the year.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss Google's renewable energy announcement

November 30th, 2007 - David Spark returns to KQED to discuss why Google announced its "Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal" plan.

New Article: How to "Web 2.0-Enable" your Live Event

November 18th, 2007 - Amplify the value of the "liveness" of your event by layering it with social media tools to improve physical logistics, distribute information, connect people, and enhance face-to-face conversations. Article includes advice for preparing, staffing, producing, and promoting plus a checklist to make sure you're making the most of your live event. Download the PDF.

David Spark joins the Personal Broadband Industry Association's (PBIA) board of strategic advisors

November 14th, 2007 - The Personal Broadband Industry Association (PBIA), a non-profit organization focused on driving the market for ubiquitous, affordable broadband invited David Spark to join the group's board of strategic advisors which include Internet industry pioneer Vint Cerf and Tony Perkins, President of AlwaysOn.

Spark Media Solutions introduces "Be the VoiceSM" New Media Seminars

November 7th, 2007 - After conducting a variety of ad hoc new and social media seminars, Spark Media Solutions formally introduces "Be the VoiceSM," a one- or two-day seminar on how to become your industry's thought leader through effective and efficient use of new media. Full description here.

CBS5 Sue Kwon KPIX Facebook Privacy issues David Spark appears on CBS 5 in San Francisco with Sue Kwon.

September 11th, 2007 - As Facebook opens up its content to search engine indexing, David Spark talks privacy issues with Facebook and other social networks.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss the FCC 700 MHz spectrum auction and Google.

August 3rd, 2007 - David Spark returns to discuss why Google's lobbying the FCC to change the rules of the spectrum auction.

David Spark appears on This Week in Tech (TWiT)

July 15th, 2007 - Today, David Spark appeared with Leo Laporte on the popular podcast, This Week in Tech, better known as TWiT. Joining David on the show were Jason Calacanis and Veronica Belmont.

Conversation video #10 of "The 12 Principles of New Media" now available

July 1st, 2007 - The tenth installment of "The 12 Principles of New Media: The Conversation Videos", entitled "Be the connector" is now available to watch, listen, or read the transcript. This tenth installment is one of a series of 12 weekly conversation videos with experts offering divergent opinions on the principles. "The 12 Principles of New Media" (PDF) is an essay by David Spark on the 12 issues you need to take into consideration when running a new media campaign.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss the launch of the iPhone.

June 29th, 2007 - A regular on KQED's "This Week in Northern California," David Spark returns to discuss the launch of the iPhone and what it means to us, the tech industry, and content industry.

How PR Professionals Can Participate in New Media

May 21st, 2007 - Essay by David Spark to compliment a conference session Spark moderated for the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America). This article offers actionable advice for PR professionals on how to engage in the new media space. Inside you'll find coverage on these ten important issues:

    Losing control over the conversation
    Fueling conversations with content
    Become a participant yourself
    Who’s talking about you?
    Know WHEN people are talking about you and your clients
    Who are the top influencers in your space?
    Dealing with bad publicity online
    So you want bloggers to talk about you and your clients
    Just because you’ve got an influencer’s ear, doesn’t mean they’re going to talk positively about you
    PR and advertising convergence
Download the PDF.

More Schmooze, Less Snooze: How to Deliver "The Most Talked About" Conference Session

May 21st, 2007 - New essay by David Spark offering advice to moderators, panelists, and even attendees on how to deliver and participate in a buzz worthy conference session. Download the PDF.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss Viacom's lawsuit against Google/YouTube.

March 16, 2007 - A regular on KQED's "This Week in Northern California," David Spark returns to discuss Viacom's $1 billion lawsuit against Google/YouTube. David Spark appeared on the show back in October when Google purchased YouTube.

David Spark writes latest issue of Health Mobile.

March 14, 2007 - Sprint, the communications company, is also the publisher of Health Mobile, the health industry technology newsletter geared towards healthcare technology executives. In the latest issue of Health Mobile, "Critical Communications in Healthcare: Ending the Healthcare Communication Runaround" Spark spoke to four hospital IT directors about how they’ve been using mobile applications to simplify operations at their respective institutions. All were facing classic communication problems in a healthcare environment until they employed mobile applications like Vocera, PatientKeeper, and Xora. more...

WebEx sponsors "The Spark Minute" on 960, The Quake.

March 13, 2007 - WebEx begins a one month sponsorship of David Spark's twice a week tech update just days before Cisco gobbles them up for a reported $3.2 billion dollars (the price of two YouTubes). "The Spark Minute" is heard Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:40pm Pacific on 960 AM, The Quake (KQKE) in San Francisco.

Spark Media Solutions joins Guidewire Group to provide market analysis of emerging technology markets.

March 07, 2007 - Spark Media Solutions begins its analyst relationship with the Guidewire Group, a global research firm focused on emerging information technology markets. The Guidewire Group publishes The Guidewire Report, an analysis of emerging trends and of new technology products and services. Spark Media Solutions will provide industry commentary, analysis, and profiles of tech start ups for the twice a month publication. Guidewire Group is best known for the co-production (along with Network World) of the DEMO conferences. Hosted by Guidewire Group's cofounder, Chris Shipley, the DEMO conference is the launch pad for industry setting presentations and companies.

David Spark appears on KQED's "This Week in Northern California" to discuss the release of the Apple iPhone.

January 12, 2007 - Is the iPhone as cool as it looks? David Spark breaks it down.

Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services looks to Spark Media Solutions for editorial management of wiki.

January 3, 2007 - Microsoft converts an analyst's whitepaper on hosted messaging into a wiki, opening it up to the tech community to add, modify, and debate.

Working on behalf of Microsoft, Spark Media Solutions has begun managing the editorial development of the wiki. The whitepaper, written by Osterman Research, is entitled "The Advantages of a Hosted Messaging Security Solution." Spark Media Solutions' founder, David Spark, has begun engaging with the blogging community to participate in the debate posed by the whitepaper: is it more cost effective and efficient for companies to pay for a hosted messaging solution vs. building a messaging solution in-house.

Bloggers have commented on the wiki and published posts on their respective blogs as well. Spark Media Solutions works directly for Chautauqua Communications on this project. The whitepaper (in wiki form) can be found at http://www.mehsreport.com. Spark Media Solutions, Chautauqua Communications, and Microsoft all invite you to participate.

Seeing Spark Be the Voice blog/podcast