The people I want to meet up with this year

As we’re into the new year and everyone is full of lists or predictions of what they want to achieve I thought I’d take a different slant and look at  people I want to spend more time working with, meet, engage & collaborate in social media and marketing; or at least hold a really decent conversation with across 2010. You can click on each name to find out more for yourself (twitter name at the end of each as well)

Here’s my list

1. Scott Gould. Scott’s a thinker, strategist and a planner. He understands how things affect not just small areas of an organisation but the whole thing; all those who are in it. His frameworks are intelligent and unique. I’ve never met someone so passionate, and at the same time knowledgeable about what he does. His site says ‘ a thinking blog for thinking people’ and that sums him up. I’ve been lucky enough to meet Scott, and I hope we continue to talk, collaborate and engage across 2010. @scottgould

2. Trey Pennington. A man who seems to have an amazing skill of saying the right thing at the right time. Very considered, intelligent and a leader in social media. A true gentlemen. We could all learn a lot from him and not just his business and social media skills. He’s the very essence of the ‘social’ in social media. I hope to have some great conversations, across all mediums, throughout 2010. A marketing expert. @treypennington

3. Andy Sowards. Brilliant conversationalist and always engages well on Twitter. Areas of expertise are wide reaching and include web development, design and social media.He was also one of the very first people to say Hi on twitter to me and continues to do so to this day. @andysowards

4. Marta Majewska. I have only recently been engaging with Marta but her tweets and her approach to her work seems very similar to mine. Subjects we talk about, type of things we’re reading – all in the name of marketing and social media – seem to be very similar, as do the people we collaborate & engage with. She also has a great cooking blog (which isn’t my thing, but hey)! @princess_misia

5. Craig Deakin. Craig Deakin is an Social-Web Strategist, Social Media Marketing Consultant, Entrepreneur, Blogger, Aspiring Web Developer, Early Adopter, Idea Evangelist & Web expert. I look forward to working with him and hopefully meeting him one day. I think we would be able to share knowledge and provide new things in the same business environment. @deakaz

6. Kristi Colvin. I have had hardly any contact with Kristi, apart from following her on Twitter and reading her blog/website. This is a bit of a curve ball but from what i can see she’s a leader in business communication and online. This mixed with a background that includes design, software development and marketing she is someone I hope to meet, talk or communicate with across 2010. @kriscolvin

7. Julie Rickson. Julie doesn’t work in the same sector as me, but whenever she’s online, through social media, we always seem to communicate. Helpful, friendly & great to have around. Really hope we continue to talk across 2010 on a regular basis. @juliaerickson

8. Jackie Ng: Jackie always involves herself in discussions across blogs and twitter. I love the way that she sees areas that interest her and if she feels she has something to add then she will. Just what social media is all about. A brilliant engager and has collaborated with me recently. @Jacoutofthebox

9. Ciaran Norris. At media140 last year Ciaran gave the best presentation I saw on social media. He’s concise, easy to follow and above all really interesting. Some of his tweets are crazy too. Ciaran knows his stuff, and I hope to meet him, engage and collaborate across the year. @ciaranj

10. Gemma Went. What Gemma has achieved in the first year of Red Cube is astounding and a model for all. Her level of expertise and her approach to social media and other strands of the marketing mix is how it should be done. No flashy gimmicks, no bullsh*t, and no false promises about being a social media messiah; just hard work and great results for her clients. @gemmawent

11.Chris Brogan. I don’t need to say too much about him. It’s a long shot but you have to aim high. He’s going to be at Likeminds next month so fingers crossed. @chrisbrogan

12. Joanne Jacobs. A social media consultant & expert with a great personality – simple as that. Confident in her own abilities with a track record to back it up. Brilliant speaker and thought leader for social media. I hope to talk with engage on & offline across 2010. [note - see my interview with her late last year here]. Again, she’ll be at Likeminds next month as well. @joannejacobs

13. Dickie Armour. He just says it how it is. Never dresses things up with any kind of fluff or over-complicated jargon. Very genuine and a pleasure to share and collaborate with. @dickiearmour

14. Daren Forsyth. Always involved in conversation and meetings with interesting and informative people. Often at events as a speaker and seems able to cut through the jargon and myths surrounding social media and the role it plays. @darenbbc

15. Richard Baker. I met him whilst I started this post a few weeks ago and he turned out to be as open, friendly, interesting and knowledgeable as expected. He keeps it straight-forward whilst able to share in depth and detailed thoughts. I hope for more conversation across 2010. @richard_baker

16. Steve Bridger. We’ve met. Top Man! Very knowledgeable and interesting guy,  one people and organisations (especially charities) should engage with. I really don’t need to say anymore. @stevebridger

17. Mark Jennings. I love the way Mark moves from humorous, to serious, then personal to work related comments across each day. Always varied subjects which makes him not only interesting and informative but a great guy to have around online. @MarkOfRespect

18. Caroline Bosher: Caroline’s been recommended to me by many. “Follow her” they say, “interesting, different approach, fun, intelligent”, was what I’ve been told. Hopefully I’ll engage with her soon or meet at an event. @carolinebosher

19. Gabrielle Laine Peters: Follows the same pattern as Caroline. From what I can see she’s quirky, is a source of great knowledge , fun, always talks and involves herself in online chats/discussions. Gabrielle was recommended to me too and so far from my twitter experience she’s met expectation. @GabrielleNYC

20. Sarah-Jayne Gratton: Sarah Jayne describes herself as “Screenwriter, Producer, Actress, Wine Lover, oh and good fun too!”. I love her early morning tweets describing breakfast or coffee (often coffee) and they seem to have an energy and lift to them. Always seems to have a smile in what she says. @grattongirl

21. Olivier Blanchard: ‘The Brand Builder’, as he is also known, is an expert with social media and in particular the ROI debate. I urge you to follow his discussions and online precence @thebrandbuilder

This one’s for free.

No number required… My family… Working hard and for long hours is all very well and good, but it has to be for a reason. So I’m going to make sure I spend as much time as I can with family and friends. I don’t know about you but I ‘work to live…not to live to work’. Keep smiling. Those who know me well know why.

…So that’s my list. I’ve met some already, so for them I want to grow our relationships. For those I haven’t met – I want to start them.

What about yours? It’s worth thinking about because it’s the people who are the essence of social media, not the technology; and meeting people is what life is all about. After all it hasn’t got the word social in it for no reason. For that reason alone I’m sure they’ll be more to add to this list soon.

Why not add yours to your own blogs and tweet them or send me a link.