There was a HootSuite deal today but it’s not the one you may have heard rumours about. The makers of the web’s most popular communications dashboard acquired another Vancouver-based company called Geotoko that specializes in geo-analytic software.
HootSuite is a browser-based Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ping, WordPress, MySpace, and FourSquare manager with millions of users on its free and premium version. It allows you to manage your social networks, schedule posts, share across various accounts, have team members contribute posts, is available in over a dozen languages, and even offers legitimate social media training through HootSuite University. It’s been around since 2008 and was originally called BrightKit.
The “Facebook to acquire HootSuites” rumours started when it was discovered that the social network’s Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, was in town. TechVibes posted and article and others ran with their imagination from there. Instead of investigating why Zuckerberg was really in town, everyone chased a more sensational notion – including several radio stations and even the TechVibes story got posted to the Wall Street Journal.
Ryan Holmes, CEO of HootSuite, and @Invoker on Twitter, somewhat addressed the issue by saying they weren’t being acquired “anytime soon”. However, a few hours later he offered up a teaser on Twitter that an “acquisition announcement” was being made this morning. That got everyone jumping again.
The big news today is that HootSuite expanding their offering to their users. From the HootSuite Blog:
“The Geotoko technology reports on geo-based social media interactions like key influencers, customer sentiment, and demographic patterns to help businesses draw conclusions about audience behavior, as well as help brands reward customers for checking-in via Foursquare and Facebook Places.”
“This is HootSuite’s fifth acquisition – along with What the Trend, Twapper Keeper, TwitterBar (now HootBar) and Swift App (now HootSuite for Android) – and follows recent news of 3 million in debt bridge financing, LinkedIn Certified Developer program participation, and the advanced Facebook integrations.”
Developed in Vancouver, HootSuite is one of the country’s most prized start-ups having won a shelf-full of awards for its technology, communications management, and apps (available for iPhone and Android). It’s one hot company so really, who wouldn’t want to be a part of its rising success? The fact is, they’re continuing to grow and lead the social media communications marketplace from their offices over in Railtown, where all the best food trucks seem to park.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson with HootSuite swag & Owly the HootSuite Owl via HootSuite on Flickr
The big news headlines about Vancouver-based organizations who are innovative, ahead of the game, and changing how we interact with technology shouldn’t just come when they’re about to be bought. It should be something that locals recognize and realize. We have some amazing talent in this town (including the folks at Nitobi who were in fact acquired by Adobe) and Vancouver is indeed a hub for startups and social media innovation.
This past summer I attended my first Burnaby Heights Hats off Day and I quickly found out why so many call it their favourite event of the year. For over a dozen city blocks along the north side of Burnaby, community organizations, neighbours, and businesses get together and host one fantastic festival. The Burnaby Heights community is coming together once again for Halloween on the Heights this month.
Here are just a few of the events you can find from October 29th to 31st on Hastings between Boundary and Gamma in Burnaby:
Spooky Boogie
A hosted Halloween Dace at the Dance Addicts Studio (4622 Hastings) for ages 7 to 18. Stop in October 30th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm with dark clothing. Glowing touches will be added by the Dance Addicts crew. Participation is by donation to the BC Children’s Hospital.
Halloween Trains in the Dark
Ride the miniature railway in Confederation Park on October 29th and 30th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Trick or Treating
Local merchants will be handing out candy to costumed little ones on October 31st then families can make their way to Gilmore Community School for a fireworks display around 8:00pm.
All event are billed as “spooky but not too spooky” and are appropriate for children and families.
The Arts Club’s production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story opens today at the Surrey Arts Centre. The world’s most successful rock n’ roll musical is currently on tour around the province until November 20, 2011.
“Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Oh Boy,” “Not Fade Away”—the list of hit songs penned by Buddy Holly goes on and on. By his untimely death, the legend had already changed popular music forever.
Vibrant and celebratory, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story highlights the talent and passion that live on in his music, thrilling audiences long after they dance out of the theatre.
Tickets are currently on sale (in person or by phone) and five shows have already sold out.
The tour has already been to North Vancouver, Burnaby, West Vancouver, Mission, and Maple Ridge. It will be in Surrey until October 28th then move on to Coquitlam, jump over to Cranbrook, Trail, Nelson, Kelowna and Vernon before heading back this way trough Chilliwack and over to the Island. Victoria, Courtenay, and Nanaimo will round out its run.
If you would like to catch Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story in Surrey, I have a pair of tickets to give away. Central City Brewing has also offered up a $50 gift certificate so you can enjoy dinner before or after the show.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I entered to win Buddy Holly Story tickets in #surreybc from @TheArtsClub & $50 for @CentralCityBrew from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/6U2Pf
I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10:00am. Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. Please enjoy responsibly.
Follow The Arts Club on Facebook and Twitter, as well as Central City Brewing on Facebook and Twitter for seasonal information.
I first met Joey Kenward at the Pacific Coliseum four years ago when he was the voice of the Vancouver Giants. John set up the radio broadcast and Joey did production, the play-by-play, ran down to the locker rooms to do interviews between periods, then ran back up to the press box to call the rest of the game. Seeing how hard he continue to work for his career (and sports in this town) makes it rather fitting that he’s doing the Heart of a Canuck segments now for the Vancouver Canucks.
Joey Kenward in the WhitecapsFC’s press row. Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr
This summer Joey went out from behind the microphone and stepped in front of the camera. He attends practices, travels with the team, does interviews, provides commentary, and still finds time to fill in the radio play-by-play timeslot here and there. “I get to fill the viewers in on what happens to the team on a day-to-day basis and what’s happening with the team when we don’t see them at a rink,” Joey told me during a call I had with him this week. “Most people only see these guys as athletes. Now, we get to have a very ‘behind the scenes’ look at who these individuals are and see what got them to where they are.”
One of Joey’s first tasks when he signed on with the Canucks was to film the Heart of a Canuck segments with players as they visited their hometowns. The segments focused on a few core players who are North America-based. “It was really cool to walk around the former neighbourhood with the player, walk into their old rink where they laced ’em up as a kid, and see the expressions on their faces as they talked about their past,” Joey said, reflecting on his visits to Smithers with Dan Hamhuis and Montreal with Alex Burrows.
The hometown visits will be broadcast during games throughout the season and you will probably be able to catch them on CanucksTV (on YouTube) once they air.
As for Joey, he is about to head out on the road with the team until they return to play the Rangers on October 18th.
He told me that the most recent filming they did was in the car with Daniel Sedin as he dropped his daughter off at school then headed to the rink. “What’s the player thinking about when he’s driving into work? What music does he listen to? What are some of the things they think about? It’s a chance for the viewer [and fan] to see the players outside of the rink environment.”
From our talk I gathered that Joey was pretty much settling into his dream job – and who could blame him. He’s come a long way since he did colour commentary in Kelowna or play-by-play for the Swift Current Broncos. “I’ve been very lucky and very privileged to have been given the opportunities I’ve had. Now I get more experience in front of the camera and this is a great chance to do what I love doing.”
A full 2:54 minute preview of this season’s Heart of a Canuck theme is now up on CanucksTV.
Viva Surrey! will celebrate Latin American culture through music, dance, and food (from Taqueria Jalisco) at the Espirito Santo Hall next weekend. The event will feature entertainment from Flamenco del Mar, Alejandro Ruiz, salsa band Moviendolo with Edwin Martinez, and tango dancers Portal al Tango, led by Bobbi and Patricia Lusic.
WhatViva Surrey! Where Espirito Santo Hall 12918 – 112th Ave (just off King George) in Surrey When Saturday, October 15th, 2011 from 6:00pm Tickets $15 and are available by calling (604) 581-9623
The event will be supporting the Surrey Christmas Bureau, a non-profit organization that assists low-income families with children under the age of 16. “Through the Hamper and Adopt-A-Family programs these families receive food certificates, toys, gifts, warm clothing and household items. In addition, the Bureau matches sponsors with nearly 250 families who have children with unique challenges and considerations.”
This would be a great time to explore more of Surrey’s vibrant culture while you support a very worth cause leading up to the holiday season. You can find out more about the Surrey Christmas Bureau’s Adopt-a-Family program and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
