Digital Media MBA

2010 MBA Media and Entertainment Conference (February 26, 2010)

from CBS grad: Hiring a VP Marketing for Pre-Seed Startup

from Gary Ragusa, (my friends and classmate):

“I started a mobile phone application company geared towards fashion SMB retailers.  I am currently starting development on a prototype and am working with a couple of International brands to test the application.  The goal is to build a database of retailers, sign up 10 to 15 participating retailers, develop the app, and launch/test the application during October.

As a way of reference, I worked the past six years with retailers, including Levi’s, Lacost, Puma on their US expansion strategies.  Prior to that I was in a software startup and also an ecommerce startup in the late 90’s.  I have an MBA from Columbia Business School.

I am currently seeking seed investment (and going well, but still early).  Hence, this is a PRE-SEED startup.  We would work out an Equity stake PLUS cash compensation AFTER we get seed financing, which I expect to occur during the next few months.

I have three part time people working with me, but I need a full time marketing professional.  The VP marketing would (a) work with iphone dev and design team (former Lipman execs) to flush out product details, (b) work with retailers to create parameters for test trial, (c) create marketing strategy for getting users to download and use application via viral, retailers, pr, ads, etc. and (d) participate in the test trial to ensure we meet objectives and can take product to market.

If you are interested to hear more, please email me your CV and we can discuss further.  I have product demo and executive summary to share after NDA is signed.

Contact Gary Ragusa at:  gfragusa (at) gmail.com

For Columbia Alums: Learn a language this summer at Chazen

Chazen Institute

CBS alumni in digital media (like all alumni) can take advantage of inexpensive language classes at the Chazen Institute at the Business School.   For those freelancing or just between jobs, this is a great way to build or refresh valuable language skills on the cheap.  More information below…

[Also note:  Columbia Business School alumni can audit classes for no charge at any time!  The summer semester just started so act fast...]

What is the Chazen Language Program?
The program is a unique non-credit language program designed to enhance conversational fluency in a foreign language, with an emphasis on business terminology at the advanced levels. Chazen has partnered with professional language instructors from ABC Language Exchange, a flexible and experienced language school founded in New York that was selected by New York Magazine as “Best in New York” in 2004.

What Languages are Offered?
Traditionally, classes are offered in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Business English, French, Hindi, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. However, ANY language can be offered with a minimum of 4 registrants. Classes can be taught at all levels from beginner to advanced.

Who Can Participate in this Program?
The program is open to all Business School, SIPA and Columbia University students, faculty, staff, partners, spouses and alumni.

When Does Registration Begin?
Registration is available online from Monday, May 4 – Sunday, May 17. Payment of $299, plus a one-time program fee of $50, is due upon registration. Late registration begins Monday, May 18 at an additional cost of $50. During late registration, students can review tentative class schedules and join into already formed classes until they are full. For additional program information, please visit the Chazen Language Program website.

When Are Classes Held?
Classes are two hours each and are offered in the daytime and evening Tuesdays – Saturdays. Class meets once a week for 8 weeks. You may only attend the class in which you have been placed.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays OR Thursdays: 6 – 8 p.m.
Fridays OR Saturdays: 10 a.m. – noon, 1 – 3 p.m., 4 – 6 p.m. (4 – 6 p.m. Fridays only)

When Will Classes Start?
Classes will begin the week of May 26 and will finish by August 1. There are no classes from June 19 – 23 due to Business School exams or from June 30 – July 4 due to the Independence Day holiday.
For further information and to register click me!

UPDATED: March Digital Media MBA Happy Hour Wednesday the 18th!

AdBuyer.com is picking up your first round!

Once again, the fine folks at AdBuyer.com are supporting the Digital Media MBA community in a way that counts: picking up the first round.    Just grab a name tag and introduce yourself to Billy Aldea-Martinez, Senior Sales Director at AdBuyer, and your first drink will be on them… while it lasts!

What: the Digital Media MBA Happy Hour

When: Wednesday March 18th  at 6:30 pm!
Where: the Village Lantern at 167 Bleecker

We’re back at the Village Lantern (167 Bleecker Street) this month on Bleecker Street in the Village, mostly because we’ve been too busy with the Digital Media MBA Job Fair to find a new place.  This month’s event is happening during the Media Summit uptown, so there should  be some new faces attending…

Join your digital media colleagues for a drink and a snack and meet some new people!  On Wednesday, March 18th from 6:30 to 9:30, join us and meet your peers working in interactive and digital media in a relaxed informal atmosphere.  We’ll be in the back, and you enjoy 50 cent wings, $2 miniburgers, $3 Bud and Yeungling beers, and $5 Cosmos during the event.

This event is an ongoing effort to encourage networking and community among Columbia Business School’s Digital Media MBA alumni, as well as others in the field. Professor Jeremy Kagan of Columbia Business School (Internet Marketing, New Media Master Class) will host.

LAST CHANCE: Digital Media Conferences

There are two upcoming digital media conferences that are worth a look:

MBA Media & Entertainment Conference (http://www.mbamec.com/)
DATE: Friday, February 27

DESCRIPTION: The MBA Media & Entertainment Conference brings together the nation’s top MBA students and media, entertainment and related companies. The purpose is to foster informative dialogue about, and enhance networking within, the film, music, broadcast and cable television, sports and publishing industries. We thank McKinsey & Company for serving as our Knowledge Partner again this year, and thank our Gold Sponsors and Silver Sponsors for their generous support.

NOTE: According to the website the event is already sold out BUT if you’re already attending we welcome you to post blog entries on any of the panels/speakers you found interesting.

BRITE Conference ‘09 (http://www.briteconference.com/)
DATE: Wednesday, March 4 – Thursday, March 5

DESCRIPTION: BRITE  is a global series of conferences, workshops and leadership summits on branding, innovation, and technology. BRITE events bring together big thinkers from business, technology, media, and marketing to discuss how technology and innovation are transforming the ways that companies build and sustain grea,,t brands.

BRITE is presented by the Center on Global Brand Leadership. Founded at Columbia Business School in 1999, the Center has grown into a global partnership of leading business schools. The Center brings together researchers, corporations, agencies, and entrepreneurs to develop new thinking about the future of innovation and branding.

NOTE: There’s still room left to participate so click here to register now!

FREE WEBINAR: Startups in Uncertain Times

This was sent to the Columbia Business School community but allowed you to invite friends so here goes…

I’m pleased to invite you to a webinar presentation, “Startups in Uncertain Times,”  which will air on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, from 1-2:30 pm.  The panel includes outstanding representatives of the angel, venture capital and tech transfer industries.  We will examine emerging business and legal developments in the startup and early-stage markets, including the university “spin-out” sub-market.  The discussion should be of interest to investors, funds, entrepreneurs, companies, academic and research institutions, professional advisors and others involved with early-stage ventures.

The webinar will be hosted by the National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2).  Registration is free and may be accessed through this link.

Note that the Webinar starts on Pacific Time (PST) so adjust your watches New Yorkers… Most of these things, even when high quality, are fundamentally lead generation methods for people so you have been warned.

Startups in Uncertain Times

An examination of emerging business and legal developments
in the startup market from the tech transfer office,
angel investor and venture investor perspectives.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 1:00-2:30 pm ET (10:00-11:30 am PT)

A Free Online Webinar Series Dealing
with New Ideas on the Innovation Economy

For U.S. Venture Investors, Angel Investors,
Corporate Technology Scouts, University Officials,
Government Officials, Entrepreneurs and other Innovation Professionals

David Lerner
(Director, New Ventures, Science and Technology Ventures, Columbia University)

Paul Sciabica
(Executive Director, New York Angels)

Matt McCooe
(Chart Venture Partners)

Shalom Leaf
(Law Offices of Shalom Leaf)