On this week's episode, Amir makes dolphin sounds (no, really, he does). Also, Chris admits that Amir influenced him into buying a Google Home. This week's Five Favorites: 1. Apple Grounds Its Airport Router Division for Good (Cult of Mac) 2. Facebook's Social Good Forum: Introducing Donations In Live (Facebook Newsroom) 3. NBC Universal Doubles Stake In Buzzfeed (Reuters) 4. Apple Users Are Being Spammed With Cal Invites. Here's What To Do If You Get One (Inc) 5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: New Ways To S...
Nov 28, 2016•27 min•Season 1Ep. 12
And now for something completely different. This week - for the first time - I take a focus on the importance of giving thanks (with a bit of a social focus, of course). This week's Thanksgiving special includes an appearance from a Why I Social Ambassador and a look back at one of the most important pieces of an early episode. Most importantly, this episode is a thank you to anyone who has listened and all those who have supported the podcast. The podcast will be back next week in it's usual fo...
Nov 22, 2016•13 min•Season 2Ep. 46
On this week's episode, Chris regrets saying mentioning "Uber Lovers". Also, Amir asks an important question! This week's Five Favorites: 1. Mark Zuckerberg Outlines How Facebook Will Tackle It's Fake News Problem (The Verge) 2. Otto Radio Builds 2.0 Version on Uber's Trip Experience API (Product Hunt) 3. What's Next for the $3.65 billion Company Behind Pokemon Go (BartieLouScott) 4. Facebook Launches A New Unified Inbox for Businesses on Facebook, Messenger and Instagram (TechCrunch) 5 (HOT TOP...
Nov 21, 2016•27 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Triple digits. Episode 100. This one's special. On episode 50 of Why I Social, I told part of the origin story of the podcast as per the request of listener feedback. This week, I've brought my wife - one of the driving forces behind the creation of the podcast onto the show to talk about how she manages social media for her career services office and we discuss one day in 2014 when a podcast was born. On this week's episode, I invite you to get to know the woman who inspires me every single day...
Nov 15, 2016•27 min•Season 2Ep. 45
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris reflect on the opportunity to hang out at Zoomph. Also, Chris deals with a broken toilet for three days. This week's Five Favorites: 1. Twitter COO Adam Bain Leaves Twitter (Buzzfeed) 2. Facebook Is Telling Everyone They're Dead (The Verge) 3. Believe It Or Not: Social Media Predicted Trump Victory (Zoomph) 4. Google Is Making Android Auto Available In Any Car (Auto Blog) 5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Snapchat's Spectacles Go On Sale Via Minion-like vending machines...
Nov 14, 2016•21 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Amma Marfo is (@AmmaMarfo) is a speaker, writer and a podcaster with a background in education. She's also the creator of Mindful Solutions . I had the opportunity to connect with her at the Social Media Strategies Summit (Higher Education) in Boston this past week and was excited to learn more about her creative processes (which includes a podcast called "The Imposters Podcast" ) and why creativity is so important to her. Hear her story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Am...
Nov 08, 2016•15 min•Season 2Ep. 44
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris talk about what it's like to be the IT guys for their families. Plus, Chris remembers the one Abercrombie shirt he's ever owned. This week's Five Favorites: 1. These are Tesla's stunning new solar roof tiles for homes (Tech Crunch) 2. Cubs vs. Indians is also the World Series of Twitter (Yahoo Sports) 3. Amazon Just Killed Black Friday (Mashable) 4. Instagram Is Finally Making It Easier To Shop for Products (Recode) 5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Slack Takes Out A Fu...
Nov 07, 2016•26 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Katy Griffin is Social Media Strategist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (@KatyMGriff). She has six years of experience in marketing and digital development at a public research university. Her university recently hosted the Third Presidential Debate and she shares her experience with me on the podcast. Hear her story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Katy and I discuss: How she ended up in the Las Vegas area What it was like working social media during debate week on...
Nov 01, 2016•26 min•Season 2Ep. 43
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris come to grips with a haunting product launch from Microsoft. Plus, the show gets a special new theme (a Halloween special). This week's Five Favorites: 1. A mir's Apple Event Update (The Verge) 2. Twitter Is Killing Off Vine (The Verge) 3. Google Fiber CEO Steps Down, Services Halted (Business Insider) 4. YouTube Launches End Screens For All Creators (AdWeek) 5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Introducing The Microsoft Surface Pro (YouTube) Honorable Mention(s): Pepsi Ta...
Oct 31, 2016•25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Seth Odell ( @SethOdell ) is GM of Marketing Services at Helix Education . Seth previously has served as the keynote at the eduWeb Digital Summit and recently returned from 72 hours of travel including a workshop at High Ed Web in Memphis. In this episode, he also shares a story he's never shared regarding one of his career moves across the country. Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Seth and I discuss: How his experience in television has benefited him What i...
Oct 25, 2016•29 min•Season 2Ep. 42
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris discuss how (and if) they'd survive the zombie apocalypse. Plus, our hosts are divided on their choices of coffee brands. This week's Five Favorites: 1. The NBA will broadcast a game in VR every week this season (The Verge) 2. Pinterest launches service to connect brands with influencers (The Drum) 3. Instagram Stories A Success (Simply Measured) 4. Apple Doesn't Want To Build A Car Anymore --- Just it's Brain (TechCrunch) 5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY Hacked Home De...
Oct 24, 2016•29 min
Patrick Kitchell is Technical Solution Specialist at Microsoft. He's previously held a variety of roles including Head of Global CRM at Sitecore. Though he now resides in Denmark, he's previously lived and worked in New York City operating a social service program assisting the homeless persons and drug addicts. Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Patrick and I discuss: His experience working/leading social services in NYC Why he loves CRMS How Microsoft has im...
Oct 18, 2016•29 min•Season 2Ep. 41
On this week's episode, Amir and Chris debate the value of business cards. Plus, Amir's love of shoes (sneakers, that is) makes it's way onto the show. This week's Five Favorites: 1. Adidas on Redefining Influencer Marketing Through Dark Social (Marketing Week) 2. Twitter Launches Periscope Producer for Television Quality Videos (ZDNet) To Submit for Producer Access, CLICK HERE . 3. Google Buys Famebit (Reuters) 4. Snapchat Removes AutoAdvance, Adds Story Playlist (VentureBeat) 5 (HOT TOPIC) USD...
Oct 17, 2016•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
And now for something completely different... I've had the privilege of talking to a lot of amazing people and have heard some amazing stories. Some have been social media focused. Others are just plain entertaining. Every one of my alums has had a unique career journey and these stories play a major part in who they are. These are some of my favorites. Highlights include: My favorite story ever told on Why I Social Scott Stratten's thoughts on FOMO (fear of missing out) What it's like to be on ...
Oct 11, 2016•24 min•Season 2Ep. 40
On this week's episode, Chris and Amir find the NFL making a decision that is far too similar to the mistake made during the Olympics. Plus, geek talk commences as we chat all things Google! This week's Five Favorites: 1. Google Pixel (and other Google Updates from #MadebyGoogle) (Video) 2. This Brand Put 16 Cameras in A Family's Home for 2 Weeks and Made Ads from Footage (AdWeek) 3. A New, Optional Feature for Paid Promotion Disclosure (YouTube Creator Blog) 4. Amazon Prime Members Finally Get ...
Oct 10, 2016•28 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Miri Rodriguez ( @MiriRod ) is Sr. Lead Community and Social Media Support at Microsoft. She is an avid speaker and we had the opportunity to catch up face-to-face for the first time at Social Media Strategies Summit in San Francisco. As you'll hear, in this episode recorded live from SF, Miri is full of energy and one of the brightest guests to date! Hear her story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Miri and I discuss: How she got her start at Microsoft What traveling aroun...
Oct 04, 2016•20 min•Season 2Ep. 39
On this week's episode, Chris is amused by the title of a tabloid story (which is also a legit story) about traveling to Mars. Plus, Amir finds a new drone that he needs to spend his life savings on. This week's Five Favorites: 1. The New DJI Mavic Pro (Casey Neistat - Video) 2. Twitter Finally Lets Everyone Create Their Own Moments (TechCrunch) 3. Netflix Crashes, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage Weigh In (CinemaBlend) 4. Coming Soon To A Cubicle Near You: Facebook at Work (USA Today) Honorable Ment...
Oct 03, 2016•26 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Tim Sohn ( @sohnsocialmedia ) is the founder of Sohn Social Media Solutions. He also comes from a journalistic background which includes times as a writer, reporter, and editor. The conference he chairs, C4 DigiCon, is fast approaching in October. It will focus on the four C's of Create, Communicate, Collaborate and Connect. Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Tim and I discuss: His love of journalism The starting of Sohn Social Media Solutions How he got invol...
Sep 27, 2016•19 min•Season 2Ep. 38
On this week's episode, Chris is preparing for his trip to Social Media Strategies Summit in SF and Amir reminisces about Google Glass. Plus, a rare Pokemon (story) appears. This week's Five Favorites: Honorable Mention: The Story Behind The Smartphone Terror Alert in NYC (CNN) 1. Introducing Spectacles (Snap Inc) 2. Snowden on Google Allo: "Don't Use It" (The Next Web) 3. Pokemon Go Is Doing Just Fine (Wired) 4. Facebook Apologizes For Overstating Video Metrics (New York Times) 5 (HOT TOPIC) Tw...
Sep 26, 2016•26 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Berrak Sarikaya ( @BerrakBiz ) is a Community and Marketing Strategist for Amplify Your Biz - which she founded in 2010. Our conversation also comes just as she has returned from the popular conference, CM World. Berrak's story is one full of life lessons as she shares her personal journey which includes time at Google and her decision to move west to Seatle. Hear her story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Berrak and I discuss: The decision to move to Seatle Her life as a ...
Sep 20, 2016•27 min•Season 2Ep. 37
On this week's episode, Chris is running on coffee fumes and Amir has (as expected) made sure he has the new iPhone - even if his girlfriend is teasing him about the color of the phone. Plus, both Amir and Chris can't avoid Twitter in the news. Shoutouts in this episode to Christin Kardos and Katy Spencer Johnson . This week's Five Favorites: 1. Twitter Introduces New Customer Service Display Options and Tools (Social Media Today) 2. Twitter's New, Longer Tweets Are Coming (The Verge) 3. Faceboo...
Sep 19, 2016•22 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Will Fanguy ( @WillFanguy ) is a teacher turned blog editor for Piktochart ( @piktochart ). With a background in English, writing, and education - he brings a unique blend of talent to the infographic company. His personality shines (as you hear on the podcast) and his background includes pushing for and achieving innovation in multiple workplaces. Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Will and I discuss: How technology has played a major role in his entire life ...
Sep 13, 2016•26 min•Season 2Ep. 36
On this week's episode, Chris is bummed that Samsung messed up the Note 7 while Amir gets amped about the new iPhone! All this and more on this week's Five Favorites! This week's Five Favorites: 1. How Netflix is Growing The Popularity of Narcos Through Smart Social Media Marketing (TheDrum.com) 2. Snapchat Cut Local Stories Curators in Shift For Live (Bloomberg Technology) 3. Instagram Killing Off Photo Maps (Mashable) 4. iPhone 7 Impressions: 10 Things (Video by Marques Brownlee) 5. Samsung Re...
Sep 12, 2016•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Josh McCormack ( @JoshMcCormack ) is the owner of I nteractiveQA . There's a good chance you've seen something he's worked on (and have no idea, until now). Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Josh and I discuss: How Josh went from history major to IT/web How he ended up starting InteractiveQA How social media has played a role in his business and personal life And of course, Why Does He Social?! (Stay tuned at the end for a special announcement about an upcomi...
Sep 06, 2016•25 min•Season 2Ep. 35
In the introductory episode of Five Favorites, hosts Chris Barrows (of Why I Social) and Amir Zonozi (of Zoomph) break down some of the top stories of the past week in social media, digital marketing, and technology. Find out what Five Favorites is all about and dig right in with the Five Favorites of Episode 0! The Five Favorites of Episode 0: 1. NBC's 12 Billion Dollar Olympic Bet Stumbles Due To Millennials (Bloomberg) 2. Google Will Soon Start Punishing Mobile Sites That Show Hard To Dismiss...
Sep 05, 2016•20 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Tim Smyth ( @HistoryComics ) has been a social studies teacher for over 15 years. He's not your average teacher, however, innovating in the classroom on a daily basis. His unique style of bringing comic books into the class as part of the curriculum has opened the doors for him to speak at a variety of conventions including San Diego Comic Con. Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Tim and I discuss: How did he get interested in history? What challenges did he fa...
Aug 30, 2016•24 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Adam Leidhecker ( @AdamLeidhecker ) is Director of Social Strategy at Otto Radio . Originally recommended to the podcast by alum Vincent Orleck, Adam is a dad and the creator behind multiple starts-ups. You can see one of those projects at http://portsmithco.com/ . Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Adam and I discuss: Why the start-up life is so appealing to him How he got into podcasts? What drew him to his current job at OttoRadio? And of course, Why Does H...
Aug 23, 2016•31 min
Jessica Bates ( @Jesserker ) is a self-employed digital strategist who's resume includes previous employment at places like the American Lung Association and The World Wildlife Fund. She's an experienced digital strategist who has based herself in the Washington D.C. region. Hear her story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Jessica and I discuss: The importance of activism in her life How she became self-employed Also, a mandatory "Mean Girls" themed five favorite! And of co...
Aug 16, 2016•30 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Welcome to the third episode of Why I Social Sessions - where we bring you short discussions focused on one-singular topic. This is not your standard Why I Social episode where we learn about a guest - but instead - we focus on important topics impacting the social media space today. Today, on Why I Social Sessions, Why I Social alums Casie Shimansky and Cody Stevenson join the podcast to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly with Instagram Stories. On Episode 3 1. What are the pro and cons of ...
Aug 12, 2016•15 min
Benson Hendrix ( @desertronin ) is Social Media Manager at University of New Mexico. His journey into higher education professionally (as we spoke about originally at eduWeb Digital Summit in Denver) is one that is tied to own personal journey. As a believer in the power of storytelling, his background in journalism parallels much of his journey and plays a major part in why he's found success. Hear his story on this week's Why I Social. This Week on Why I Social, Benson and I discuss: His journ...
Aug 09, 2016•33 min•Season 2Ep. 32
