Why I am Chasing Robots at #SXSW

This year at SXSW I am chasing robots, not waterfalls. My dream for Interactive is to hang out with as many robots as humanly possible. I also want to see who will be pushing the bounds of AR and VR. Why Anne, why don’t you fear robots or the future of AI? Because a wise woman once taught me fear […]

5 Heartwarming Valentine’s Day Marketing Campaigns

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and Hallmark isn’t the only company cashing in on the holiday. In fact, the usual Valentine’s Day staples set the average person back an average of a whopping $512.03, according to Bankrate’s research after putting together its first “Be My Valentine Index.” Wondering how it’s possible to spend this much? The […]

3 Unexpected ways to use G+

Let’s start off with the standard disclaimers, G+ is not for everyone. G+ is debatably not meant for living, breathing humans. I mean look at this fun interface!  Collections, what’s that about? A new feature nobody wanted or needed. Let the fun begin… It’s hotly debated amongst SEOs if social matters for search. Google has […]

What It Means to Be a Futurist

Long before the glitz and glamour of becoming an IBM Futurist earlier this year, I actually gave myself the title of Futurist (2011). We’re long obsessed with our titles in Silicon Valley. Without the background in math I knew that data scientist or analyst didn’t fit me. Ninja, Rock Star, Growth hacker, meh… Not into those! While […]

Mark Parker Awarded Brand Innovator of the Year from WSJ. Magazine

WSJ. Magazine hosted its fifth annual Innovator Awards at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City earlier this month. Seven trailblazing talents, all of whom are featured in the magazine’s November issue, were honored amongst more than 200 guests for their groundbreaking accomplishments in their respective disciplines. Mark Parker, CEO and president of Nike, was […]

From TED to IBM Insight: A Futurist’s Musings

TED is known best for innovation. Some have called it the un-conference. I went to the #TEDatIBM event last week feeling slightly skeptical. Pessimism isn’t my bag, truly. When it comes to conferences, expectations and the actual experience rarely match up. In this case I can admit that my skepticism was ill founded. The TED experience overall feels […]

Necessity and Invention are NOT Strange Bedfellows.

I have been enchanted by the ethereal concept of ‘the future’ since working as collections assistant at the Harry Ransom Center, a University of Texas Museum in Austin (while attending school). Aside from the Gone with the Wind dress super fans, everyone was in awe of the Norman Bel Geddes’ Futurama collection. Of the thousands […]

5 Lessons Learned from the 2015 SF TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon

This was my fourth year attending the TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon, but it was the first year I seriously considered competing in it myself. Hackathons are akin to a jam session for geeks. They thrust people together who share an idealistic sense of fate and are often determined (almost bound) to do innovative things. That magic is why people […]

iPad Pro

Apple Doubles Down on “Mobile” Experience Design for All Devices

With its highly anticipated product announcements this morning in San Francisco, Apple reinforced its focus on creating a seamless, cross-device experience that truly puts mobile functionality first. From a new-and-enlarged iPad Pro to slick enhancements to the Apple TV experience, it’s clear that Apple is dedicated to keeping users on its devices throughout their customer […]