Who should we profile as social media maven? Your suggestions...

i vote for gary vaynerchuck because he's demonstrated how anyone with a passionate interest and digital camera can create a massively popular vlog...

follow @ringernation

Jeff Pulver. I had the pleasure of leading a discussion at his recent Social Media Jungle 08 in New York and loved the energy and flow of ideas there. Each time I meet him he is innovating in some way in tech and social media, and is a true pleasure to talk to.

If i get to vote, Jason Falls, Liz Strauss, Amber Naslund and Chris Brogan all top my list.

One person you are missing.. Louis Gray

Being on this list with so many people I know and respect is an honor I can't even begin to explain.

Of the people listed, you have Mack Collier who is one of the biggest assets any person exploring Social Media should have. Then you have Amber Naslund who is intensely smart and funny. Beth Harte is one of the brightest people I know with amazing insight. David Armano is amazing on so many levels, as is Hugh McLeod and they both come at it from an artist's/ designer's point of view.

I could go on, but I think you get the point; there are A LOT of great people on this list and it's a thrill for me to even be included (and terribly outclassed). There's such a great mix of the "A-List" and the non-list people here... good luck with your task of picking one. I don't envy you.

Rashmi Sinha

What qualifications are you using to define someone as:

1. A Voice of Innovation

2. Involved in Social Media

The list above simply looks like the Twitter Grader top 50 elite? This list simply continues to show how little credibility there is in this industry.

Wouldn't it have been better for Business Week/You to have come up with a shortlist and let people vote. Right now, this list is a shining example of the "old boys club" and circle jerk that the "social media" space has become.

I'm disappointed with the approach, the list, and frankly expected more from Business Week. As is, you've reduced yourself to US Weekly and Tiger Beat.

I just started a new Website for my new Network Marketing Health Product, Enlyten

As any new site, I need links in and out. My concern is when I am linking out, do I need to be concerned with folks who use rel="nofollow". And will that really help them to get credit for the out link, but does not delute thier pagerank?

Thanks,
Brian Fitzgerald
http://www.enlytenstrips.org

Think you hit the nail on the head with Shannon Paul, Liz Strauss, David Armano and Brian Solis. Personally, I'd add in Charlene Li and delete Richard Edelman.

Robin Good's articles are a primary source of information for those seeking the best collaboration tools and how to get them working in their organization! cheers!

Thanks for the mention, although my last name is spelled incorrectly, perhaps more importantly, we're missing Charlene Li, co-author of Groundwell, long term soical media analyst, and the one who spear headeded the social computing research department at Forrester.

I am partial to Robin Good.

He's really out there scouting out the best software people can use in connecting up, in exchanging large files or messages and generally in collaborating over the net. His news are always up-to-date.

Beth Kanter is single handedly introducing nonprofits to the value of using social media. She uses social media to promote information sharing, relationship building and especially micro and greassroots fundraising. Most of the fundraising is from a new gneration of donors that she essentially is creating as she goes along.

She is a pied piper amassing followers among nonprofits into a new way of doing business that they just don't know anything about. She does this in a low key, stick-to- it relentess way and is actually making cultural change ina sector that desperately needs to find new ways of developing support.

My suggestions go to ROBIN GOOD

My suggestion go to Robin Good thanks

I have no doubt! Robin Good is the most intresting website because he goes in dept in research and writing about all the social media and web 2.0 tools. He's one of the few persons that transformed this in a real work and he lives with his site. Defenetively his knowlidge about this world is really wide and for a lot of people he is a life guide because he spread his culture help other to follow his route. His vision about digital life help a lot of people to be independent just working in the right manner on their websites... becoming editors of themselves thanks the new medias.

my vote for Robin Good an incredible communicator!

Robin Good from Sharewood with MasterNewMedia is the source for my professional formation! Robin share with us all the topic i love.
Robin Good has unique style to comunicate knowledge.

Trolling for traffic like this is beneath BW. This was a state of the art traffic trick about six years ago, but now, most of your readers will just roll their eyes that you're selling out your brand to get traffic.

Sorry to be a curmudgeon, but I really like BW best when they lead the discussion, not referee it.

I've to say Ev Williams, why? Because it is really easy to think about great ideas but what's hard is to turn this idea into reality, and that's what Ev and the other guys at Twitter did, taking an idea that was considered stupid by most of the people "Kevin Rose was one of them ;) " and turning it into $20 million dollars web service, he is a social media maven because Twitter is used by a lot of people to interact with each other, most the people on the nomination list are using twitter, they interact with other people that way because Ev and the other guys worked on an idea that was considered stupid and turned it into a service that is used by millions, and my prediction is that by the end of 09, Twitter will actually have more users than Facebook, because it deserves it ;) , thanks.

My vote go for Robin Good because is the person that try everyday to improve our life with kindly advice as online publisher!

I vote for Tim O'Reilly. But of course that is unfair with a bunch of other social media influential voices on this list. I also think you are missing Louis Gray. I had a second option I would also say Jason Goldberg.

Really? Must? I thought new media was supposed to build community not ego. Oh well. I guess we're seeing the birth of Star magazine for the digital age.

Robin Good taught me a lot, his website is definitely a primary source of knowledge when it comes to social media and blogging. I would definitely recommend you to have a chat with him.

I'd say Gary V, but I tend to agree also with Adam Kmiec; this is a twitterfest, and I for one have resolved to stop writing about Twitter. (http://www.chrisbrogan.com/12-things-to-stop-doing-in-2009/)

"Social Media" becomes the dirtiest of cling-wrapped buzzwords whenever the advertising industry starts volleyballing it around. Ugh. Why not award 'texter of the year' and 'instant messenger-er of the year' too while we're at it? I'm in alternative advertising media and I'm still way skeptical that advertising and social media have any common ground at all.

I'd go with @garyvee, for a no-B.S. real live business owner doing things his way.

He totally blew up in 2008, and isn't some old standard blogger or a consultant out for clients, but an honest guy with a great attitude.

BW readers should appreciate that.

Seth's comment is great! You rock.

But if you want the best combo of social media knowledge and first hand experience combined with a passion for fighting for a cause, then Bath Kanter is the best choice. The others may be more popular or have more expertise in an area but Beth fights for what she believes in and uses social media to get it done.

Robin Good is my choice - He talks and write in depth and while explaining things to the average man, not to the geek. He lives what he says and there are way too many US geeks always leading the opinion front. It is good to have some refreshing ideas also from someone that is not US-based.

Beth Kanter

She's authentic and is a great resource or voice for the nonprofit, philanthropy & volunteerism sectors.

I vote for Andy Carvin from NPR for his work on the NPR Communities and his organization of resources during Hurricane Gustav through an online initiative at http://www.hurricanes08.org/

I vote for Robin Good!!! He's a great source for social media information. :-)

Wow - I'm glad I'm not on this list now. lol

Please choose someone that doesn't call him or herself a maven, guru etc. If they are any good, they don't need artificial monikers.

I agree with Seth - as a longtime subscriber, I expect your indepth research to provide the knowledge and insights that I cannot easily obtain on my own.

Can I pick two? Beth Kanter helps people use social media to do great things. Kathy Sierra is my other choice. She is an important thought leader in creating usable software and design.

"What qualifications are you using to define someone as:

1. A Voice of Innovation

2. Involved in Social Media

The list above simply looks like the Twitter Grader top 50 elite? This list simply continues to show how little credibility there is in this industry."

Adam so is your opinion that if these people have a high following on Twitter, that they have no business being called an 'innovator'? That they have accomplished nothing in this space? There are some absolutely amazing case studies on this list. Take Gary Vee and Tim Jackson, both have used social media as a way to connect with their customers, have achieved phenomenal growth for their businesses as a result. Frank Eliason has literally created the blueprint for how Twitter can be used as a channel to provide superior customer service. Others like Jason Falls, Chris Brogan and Amber Naslund are on a DAILY basis working with some of the top companies in the nation about how they can create effective social media strategies. Forget the Fortune 500, think Fortune 50. Like it or not, the people on this list are influencing and shaping the current state and future of social media.

BTW I believe this list comes from reader submissions.

Amber Naslund, Jason Falls, Shannon Paul.

If you could get the three of them on a conference call together, I could see things catching on fire, the ideas would be so fast and furious.

Beth Kanter and Kathy Sierra come to mind immediately. Tara Hunt, Chris Brogan, Beth Harte, Louis Gray, and Brian Solis as well.

robin good yeah!

Where to begin? I don't have a problem with this list. Quite frankly, These people work hard to keep the rest of us in the loop.

Shel Israel is moving on twitterville..Andy Carvin and his work on NPR and oh twitter election coverage, Laura Fitton and her excellent resources on ..oh twitter..Guy..Well..enough said.

The fact is they are moving fast on the social media front and have other projects on the go.

A big kudos from me to the rest of the group! Cheers and looking forward to more great insight in 2009

Beth Kanter provides non profits with knowledge and confidence to jump in.

I vote for Andy Carvin of NPR, as he pioneered the use of social media in election night coverage--live blogging from NPR.

I also vote for Ross Borden of MatadorNetwork (www.matadornetwork.com). He's not on this list, but he's steadily building the world's biggest online travel magazine and, in the process, has created a real-life, real-time community off-line, too.

Robin Good's a dynamo..always finding something new and letting us know, interviewing people and networking internationally. My vote goes definitely to him. Cheers from Brazil, Robin!

I vote for Robin Good. Robin's site is one of the best sources for all educators and learners, including instructional designers who need professional views on certain tools or latest technologies to integrate in their elearning programs. Also, Robin's video talks and presentations are such informative materials and great resources to all learners.

Good luck to all & Happy 2009...

Robin Good FTW! He's passionate about what technology, social trends, and the constant stream of web-based resources can do to bolster success and innovation in just about any field imaginable.

Robin Good is my choice - He talks and write in depth and while explaining things to the average man, not to the geek. He lives what he says and there are way too many US geeks always leading the opinion front. It is good to have some refreshing ideas also from someone that is not US-based.

All I know is, it's not that Craig Stoltz guy. He doesn't have a clue.

Robin Good is my choice. I had the pleasure of getting to know him during the Learning Trends 2008 seminar. He is on the cutting edge of New Media and learning trends. Plus he plays some mean congas.

I vote for Robin Good to, his site is valuable and always uptodate. I like the style of articles, too.

Robin Good is the Best!!! ;-D

I vote for Robin Good. In my opinion Social Media have different impact that refer to the sociological aspects of the contest in which they are used.

Robin Good is a European Voice of ... Europe. This would be interesting in order to analyze different approach of Social Marketing, Social Communication, and above all Social Culture.

Andy Carvin is just getting started and someone to watch. He had an amazing year exploring microblogging, mobile outreach, and mapping and looking at how all three can change the way the public interacts with NPR and how NPR shares news. While his election related apps were hot, like the "twitter vote report", it looks like Andy is turning some of his proof of concept hits into mainstream tools. We'll get our first peak at the mapping and twitter plans his team has on Inauguration Day. The short is that Andy's presence @NPR will fundamentally change the station in the next two years. Profiling him this year will provide timely insight into the future of a major American media channel right as it's being reborn.

Robin Good is my pick. His MasterNewMedia is a great source of info for the average man. No show-off, no complicated language, just the info you'd like to find explained in a way that non-technical people can understand and put at work immediateley.

I think you should profile David Armano. It's not about articles... it's about using media in a new way... and he's doing that. With some pretty large clients and just when he gets lost shopping.

Give Armano a shot.

Many of the people on the list deal with current and immediate topics. Robin Good is one of the few who's work involves deep insight and long term analysis on what is at stake.

Fred Wilson, Beth Kanter and Peter Shankman continuously add value to my work and life. Seth Godin is also a source of inspiration.

Are you looking to name someone who's showing others how to do it? Or are you looking for someone who is extremely effective at it within a given topic area? Those are different people. Best business user of social media I've seen is Fred Wilson... and he doesn't even make the list?

My vote goes to Robin Good.
He has created a valuable collection of informations and articles that are accessible and easy to understand to anyone.

And the best part is that everything is free.

Definitely Robin Good. He has done a tremendous amount for meetings media and always has the latest scoop on everything related.

Tim O'Reilly because web 2.0 is about a whole helluva lot more than just monetizing content-sharing web sites. He gets it.

Robin Good is awesome. He may be based in Europe, but his message rings true in America. Robin goes beyond merely sharing news and opinions on social media and tools. He also channels a message that people are good and connections improve the world.

My vote goes to Robin Good.
He is the only one who supports the community, sharing his valuable knowledge and not his celebrity-ego as the most do in this list...

MasterNewMedia by Robin Good is like an espresso for me: I can't begin a workin' day without it. Therefore, another vote for Rob!

So over on Twitter, we've been having a debate. Some like Seth feel that this list is a linkbait tactic and BusinessWeek should never stoop so low.

I am putting forth that BW is trying something different. Letting readers weigh in. The links seem less relevant to who's on the list. And there is debate there too. (there is with any list)

Comments are not only for commenters, but also for the curators. What I or Seth or those in Twitterville have to say is one thing. What BusinessWeek has to say is another. Can anyone here help shed some light on the intent?

I like genuine social media people, and unfortunately the comments above are saturated by individuals with loyalties to someone who is apparently begging for nominations. Most social media folks haven't even heard of said individual.

There are also some inactive folks on the list, and while they were really prolific and awesome bloggers once before, I'd prefer to see individuals profiled who are active and consistently engaged.

That said, I'd go with:
* Jason Falls, an amazing approachable blogger who has done a lot of good for this industry
* Chris Brogan, another blogger who has provided a wealth of information to the social media community
* Garyvee, a wine expert, fun-loving guy, and a REALLY dynamic speaker
* Laura Fitton, a true microblogging expert who is showing that 140 characters doesn't have to be limiting
* Brian Solis, an amazing photographer who also is very involved in the social media sphere
* Mack Collier, an active social media enthusiast who also takes his blogging seriously
* Lee Odden, a search expert who also does social!

I wholeheartedly agree with Seth Godin and Mack Collier's comments. The "vote for your favorite" approach seems to undermine BW credibility for me.

Please do some independent research and don't rely on grades or hypes to find select innovators. Look for good work, case studies and a track record.

Thanks.

I've been reading Robin Good's masternewmedia.org for years. He provides insights on the technology and now is one of the best social media mavens out there.

Agree. Robin Good. He's been incredibly passionate and helpful about his research and advice to the entire social marketing and unified communications community.

Wondering why the heck Kevin Rose is on this list? Whatever you say...

KATHY SIERRA. Kathy looks at how companies can change from the angle of the brain. She thinks about passion and energy - as daily matters. She would say, "Don't do it unless it's effective for how people's brains process information anyway."

Kathy's newest incarnation is probably this site: twitter.com/kathysierra

That's if we have to choose one. Because Seth Godin, David Armano, Guy Kawasaki, Hugh MacLeod, Peter Shankman, and others on your list are incredible.

My best,
Senia

twitter.com/senia

My choice is Robin Good as an anti-dogmatic innovator booth in social media and in new media technologies. Fly Robin Fly!

I want to nominate Kevin Dugan (my co-bad boy at Bad Pitch Blog and one of the two earliest PR industry bloggers with strategic PR) as guru and worldwide SM leader. As a matter of fact, the way I see it......
Kevin is Mother Teresa with a keyboard and an Internt connection.
And really. While I love the names listed above and respect them all, I go to say enough already. There needs to be new voices, not just echoes in the chamber. Dugan is a soft spoken non promoter who actually instructs people who come to him (and even those who don't) on how to be the social mavens they need to be. And he's The Man. Coming from me (a professional cynic) that's saying a lot.
So there you have it: Kevin Dugan (@prblog). Everyone get on the bandwagon - and Steve, great that you are doing this "procedurally." Very democratic of you, indeed.

Richard Laermer (@laermer)

I vote for Robin Good and Robert Scoble. Robin's blog is a one-stop destination for almost every information on social media. He aggregates the latest tools and discussion, provides insights and tips useful for a pro and a newbie alike. Robert is the live and inseparable component of social media today who engages and keeps the discussion lively in most platforms today. Both don't just provide one way thought leadership but take keen interest in creating dialogue with the community.

@sethgodin: "I really like BW best when they lead the discussion, not referee it." What's social about that Seth?

There are some amazingly talented social media innovators on the list whether you look down or up at it.

What I love about lists like this is the opportunity to discover new people passionate about the same topics as I am. Thanks for that BW.

Add to the list: Charlene Li in a big way. Plus Richard Binhammer and Lionel Menchaca from Dell, maybe Gary Koelling from Best Buy.

Stephen, I don't know much about the others but I know Robin Good can give Business Week a great perspective on social media based on years of experience with a range of traditional and non-traditional media. That history, and ability to relate current shifts to his readers are what they value, and what I think will catch BW readers attention as well.

RobinGood is huge in Italy and Europe. This guy is the Don of bloggers over there. Located in Vatican City, Robin's flock includes many leading Italian blogosphere figures.

I would add Peter Kim (because he consistently provides examples and case studies of what he is talking about) and David Armano (insightful) to list.
Eamon www.spotlightideas.co.uk

These are all excellent bloggers, but my hat goes off first to Robin Good. He has remained a grass-roots enthusiast for social media who both writes and aggregates the work of others who are part of his professional network. He is experimenting constantly with new technologies and new business models for online publishing. In doing so he challenges us to move beyond the safe "A" list assumptions of Silicon Valley and to treat everyone involved in social media around the world as true peers capable of adding new insights to the conversation.

I salute all of these great commentators on blogs, but hats off first to Robin.

While I am very thankful to my social community for the support they have showcased here, I fundamentally agree with the comments made by Tamar and David.

While I am not the type that goes around begging for votes and nominations, I must say that I DID use all of my social media channels spontaneously today to share my joy and surprise for having been listed in this group of very talented people.

I also agree that there are individuals here, like Chris Brogan, Brian Solis, Beth Kanter, Robert Scoble or Garyvee who are absolutely outstanding social media mavens and who deserve much more than me to be featured on Business Week.

If I'd have to select one, Chris Brogan would be my present social media maven.

Brian Solis is a leader in Social Media & PR. He really understand where PR should be headed. This guy has more vision than Richard Edelman, Sir Martin Sorrell and Mark Penn combined. His PR 2.0 blog is a must read for PR people.

Richard Edelman shouldn't even be on this list. The man who invented the "flog" for WalMart. His gravestone will read "He's WalMarting across Hell".

Mad, histrionic, but absolutely unique and unparalleled: my choice is Robin Good.

Although many people on that list deserves to be featured I vote for

Robin Good

And its for one clear razon:
I know the amount of effort and professionalism he puts in is 4 languages versions of Master New Media.

Also, he always choose analysis and going deep instead of fast regurgitated press releases or half cooked thoughts :-)

I vote for Robin Good too. : )

@Mack Collier

If the intent of this was to actually figure out who BW should introduce to the world, shouldn't it be someone that the world hasn't already heard about?

---------

Reading the list of comments here (with exception to Seth's) reinforces my belief that:

1. The terms leader/expert/maven/etc. have been watered down. As I've said many times, how can someone be an expert in an industry that's about 18 months old?

2. This has become an old boys club. The same names, over and over, pop up...independent of the fact, many of the people lack credentials that would get you a supervisor job at an agency.

I am really thankful for being nominated for this opportunity by the social media community! So to Mack Collier who nominated me and those who commented, thank you!! :)

What I find interesting is all the accusations of this being a Twitter elite contest. I am hardly that and I'd venture a guess that most of the people on the list and who have left comments here don't even know who the heck I am. And yet I have been lumped in with the popular kids and dismissed by Seth Godin & Adam Kmiec. Hmmm...

The irony is that a lot of people on this list are great at using social media tools, but when it comes to acutal conversation and being social with the community -- it's radio silent.

And the majority of people on this list are the quiet ones who are actually rolling up their sleeves and doing the work. They should be given a chance as the readers and community of BW nominated them because of their work in social media.

On a more serious note, Bert DuMars is doing an amazing job of implementing SM at Newell Rubbermaid and Lindsay Lebresco of Graco (sub. of Newell Rubbermaid) is as well, Tim Jackson has increased revenues at Masi Bikes through SM, Frank Eliason has changed customer support as we know it...I could go on and on, but I am not sure it would matter.

Perhaps BW should consider a spread a la Vanity Fair...that might make everyone happy.

The problem with any recommendation here (mine included) is that it really comes down to who we listen to. If you don't know us, & therefore the quality of our judgment, how do you know how to weigh our suggestions? That said...

As insights into social media go the comments and thoughts I most frequently find both insightful and helpful come from C.C. Chapman of "Managing the Gray" along with the PR discussions of Neville Hobson & Shell Holtz of the "For Immediate Release" podcast. I listen to a number of others but these three are on the top of my list for comments and discussions pertaining directly to social media.

John Battelle ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKbu-ngCV-E as one example why.

I'm honored to be on the list,especially since most of work is using the web for social good and nonprofits! There are a number of fabulous women who are missing from your list.

Charlene Li, Tara Hunt, Lisa Stone, Elisa Camahort, Jory DesJardens, Susan Mernit, Ryan Hodson,

Beth Kanter continues to amaze me with her depth of insight and her generosity in sharing her wisdom, time, and connections. When I think about people who are doing good things with social media--and who use social media to its best advantage--Beth comes immediately to mind.

I am SHOCKED this list does not include Scott Monty, head of social media at Ford. This is a BIG omission, and I'm sure every candidate on your list would agree.

my vote goes for Robin Good, I love his knoledge sharing philosophy!

Don't forget the women of BlogHer -- Lisa Stone, Jory des Jardin & Elisa Camahort, as well as the women of The Motherhood, Emily McKhann & Cooper Monroe.

PunditMom
http://punditmom1.blogspot.com

Liz Strauss, Amber Naslund and Chris Brogan

Yeah -- not Craig Stoltz. I understand that he used to work for a newspaper, which ought to be a huge liability.

I'm STUNNED! This list should also include Steve Radick http://steveradick.com his relentless passion for Social Media is contagious. His mission in life continues to be educating anyone and everyone about the benefits of Social Media from neighbors to corporations and into the government. I encourage you to review his efforts and consider adding him to this list.

Great job on putting this together!

WebTechMan
http://WebTechMan.com

The two people who stand out for me on this list are Jason Falls and Chris Brogan. They're consistently insightful, they care about and respect their audience, and they LIVE in social media.

To agree with many others, this list is very one sided.

What about Tony Heish (@Zappos)? I believe he was the first "brand" that effectively started using Twitter. What about those behind @Southwestair? What about @the_real_shaq? What about @DellOutlet? They seem to be going against the grain of what's "right" in social media and making a whole lot of money. Kudos to them for sticking with what's right for *their* company. What about the first news anchor who started incorporating Twitter into his TV broadcasts? What about the guy who live tweeted the plane crash - @2drinksbehind? Now, that is innovation. What about @tweetsgiving who raised $10k in 48 hours through tweeting? What about the person who started @socialmediaclub? What about @BKLounge who sent a cease & desist notice via Twitter? That's innovative to me. @danzarrella has developed multiple tools for aggregating and “measuring” various social media tidbits (i.e. RT trends).

While I think it's great that you asked for people's input, you should have first come up with more specific parameters... i.e. - People only, no brands. Consultants who are talking about what people/brands *should* be doing in the space vs. those who actually *are* doing it and can show results?

I vote for Frank Zappa, because he wrote "I'm the Slime".

Oh, wait: He's dead!

Never mind -- I still vote for him (it won't make a big difference anyways)...

;P nmw

My vote go to Robin Good thanks

Beth Harte is a true believer in the abilities, trends and goals of developing social media. She's worked to push companies from the inside to engage in new media intiatives, and gets excited about the rising discussion it's generating. She's not the biggest blogger out there, but that's not her goal. She simply wants to push businesses to see the new opportunities out there so that they can succeed.

Charlene Li should be on this list as one who has been a leader in strategically evaluating social media for years.

I vote for Robin Good. Thanks

I vote for David Armano. He continues to produce visual content that makes sense of todays ever-evolving ideas.

Your list looks too bad to be "real:!

It looks more like something a fifth grader would have done,
late the night before it was due.

You seem to be getting a lot of comments.

Maybe you list was a "honey pot" to drawn in comments and create a "buzz"?.

I suspect that your list may be a "Agent provocateur", to make news on a slow day.

I expected better from BW.

Please cancel my (free on-line) subscription!

Pat OMahony
patrick.omahony@gmail.com

end

Did you forget Scott Monty and his wonderful "ranger" report for Ford?

Pat OMahony
patrick.omahony@gmail.com

I vote for Beth Harte! If you are in marketing, PR or social media her blog is a must read.

I think Jim Long - @newmediajim, who was one of the original big media guys using Twitter before it was cool, or Jon Swanson @jnswanson who is a social media using church pastor. There are some great stories out there. Beth Kanter @kanter who does all kinds of nonprofit work with social media.

Would gladly give you another hundred or so. DM me. : )

Tristan Harris and Can Sar have built Apture into one of the most interesting new uses of the web. We can now read the way we always wanted to. Most importantly, Apture is starting to allow people to actually DO social networking, rather than just talk about it.

How about we focus on folks we actually get social networking done, rather than talk about it?

B

Good list, but can't believe I was almost to the bottom of the comments before Scott Monty's name appeared. He is a very smart and innovative guy in an industry that sorely needs those attributes.

Robin Good is the best because he delivers everyday only top news and first class articles from his website.

More: Robin Good teach also a different way of work and life for many bloggers and web-enthusiasts

Nancy White
Amy Gahran
Kate Trgovac
Alissa Sears
Alex Samuel

Marnie Webb
Rebecca McKinnon
Jessica Jackley Flannery cofounded Kiva
Ethan Zuckerman

Wikipedia creator

If you set out to make this list to linkbait everyone to respond to Google Alerts and word of mouth through Twitter messages, then you proved your point.

But if you set out to define an innovator in social media in the truest business sense of innovation, then 90% of those names should be stricken. For instance, Chico the Dog? C'mon!

You want an innovator, Steve? How about yourself. Seriously.

Ari, I take your point about Chico the Dog. I was a little lax there. But if 90% of the names should be stricken, as you say, which are the 10% that should remain--and why?

I am very surprised but honoured to be on this list especially as most on my online activity (and impact) has not taken place at http://www.simonberry.net but in other places - I have now linked things together at simonberry.net to give a better picture - in case anyone is interested!

BTW - could someone fix the hyperlink behind my name in the list?

Happy New Year to everyone and thanks.

i vote for robin good the number 1 in Italy !

No Social Media Maven contest would be complete without a mention of Sean Dennehy and Don Burke - the genius' behind the revolution within the U.S. Intelligence Community who championed Intellipedia. Of course, a nod to Cal Andrus - the idea man behind the whole thing - would be required, as well.

I cast my vote for Robin Good, a point of reference for many of us...

I vote for Dario de Judicibus, Italy. IBM inventors, owner of IBM Italia island in Second Life, director of first live musical in SL, blogger, and expert of social networking and knowledge management.

I vote for Seth Godin, for being the first one to be honest and educational in his comment. That's the move of a real social media maven.

I nominate:

Jeremiah Owyang - sharing research like no other

Beth Kanter - single handedly changing the non profit world, for the better.

Brian Solis - getting the PR profession to rethink the way t does business.

I would also like to nominate Chris Heuer (Creative Catalyst of http://www.adhocnium.com and Founder of http://socialmediaclub.com - also, diclosure: my husband) who has spent his life educating people on the tools available and bringing people together for the betterment of the community. His vision around Social Media Club (in 40 cities and adding 40+ more this year) I believe was a driving force in bringing attention to Social Media and the landscape we are all currently thriving in.

Steve Radick has been a great catalyst in bringing social media to government organizations.

www.steveradick.com or @steveradick

Armano

I give my vote to Dario de Judicibus (http://lindipendente.splinder.com)

robin good is the best! dAJEEE ROBIN - (DANIELE MARKETINGSEOAGENCY.COM)

Seth Godin.

I like to follow Avi. http://twitter.com/Avinio.
he has great social media content and insights, and like to share ideas with other, what many are not doing.

Peter Shankman is far and above one of the best choices. As a journalist he has helped me serve my audience far better than anyone else!

http://www.kidcityny.com

Peter Shankman by far! What he has created with HARO is amazing. That's a true social media networking!!

If you are in higher ed, you need to be following @bradjward and his blog. He is the social media voice for the industry.

In DC, it's Andrea Rodgers "Miss A" of www.askmissa.com, Kate Michael of www.kstreetkate.net and Pamela Sorensen of www.pamelaspunch. These girls just did a big photo shoot on Inaugural Fashion -- http://tinyurl.com/76k9g6

Follow: @askmissa
@kstreetkate

I would like to draw all of this attention to Ashoka's ChangeMaker.net's Power of Us: Re-imagine Media competition.

See http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/competition/powerofus

They are about to award $50,000 to social media innovators. There are 52 entries from 15 countries so far and I don't see one entry from your list of the usual (respected, talented) suspects.

You are so Silicon Valley centric, as always. I am, I believe, still the oldest Twitterer, and have used it in a variety of ways: as Earth911, as AzEntrepreneurs, and as myself. I also have had a blog longer than most of these people have been adults (http://blog.stealthmode.com) that started as a mailing list to teach my non-techie friends about the Internet. Try traveling outside the little circle:-)

Sandy Carter @sandy_carter of IBM (Yes, Big Blue!)is a true practitioner and the proof is in the tasting. Her new book The New Language of Marketing 2.0: How to Use ANGELS to Evangelize Your Market is a must-read.

My vote goes to Dario de Judicibus (http://lindipendente.splinder.com)

Maybe you should actually look at work that's been done rather than a popularity contest. Just saying. I see voices in here that are popular in the echo chamber, but haven't done anything, while people like a Chris Pirillo, a Shel Israel, a Chris Heuer are basically left off the list, yet they are some of the most damn influential people out there in social media. So to me, this list is a popularity contest not a valid list based on results and influence.

Mitch Joel http://www.twistimage.com
CC Chapman
Gary vaynerchuck
Joseph Jaffe

Yawn.

My faves:

Chris Brogan for his ability to get a conversation going

Gary Vaynerchuk for his passion and approachability

Amber Naslund for her well-rounded marketing know-how both on and offline

I share Daniel Hudson's surprise that Steve Radick isn't on this list. He has supported a number of organizations in their move toward greater use of social media, has served as Chairman of the Social Media in Government conference, been quoted in several publications, has a popular blog at http://www.steveradick.com and is a psssionate advocate for social media.

Another vote for Peter Shankman. He's doing a terrific job changing the way traditional media interacts with what's commonly called "social media," but is really Media 3.0. Arguably, the way the media interfaces with users online is still evolving, just as it did in the early days of radio and TV, and Shankman is at the forefront of leading the charge of where it'll be going.

I would strongly suggest adding Scott Monty (@ScottMonty) to this list. He's doing SM work for Ford that the other American automakers seem to completely ignore. It's impressive. If there's room for branding within the confines of SM (and Twitter specifically), Scott shows a nice balance of Ford news and thoughts as well as personal color.

It has been mentioned a couple times in the comments but I'm perplexed why this list hasn't been updated to include Scott Monty at Ford.

He's been leading significant changes at Ford, altering how a massive corporation reaches out and communicates with customers, through the use of innovative (certainly by the automotive industry standards) strategies and tactics that rely heavily on social media.

He's all over the social media map, informing, correcting misinformed people, helping connect people with Ford resources. And much more. None of these things are trivial, especially at such a big, established company like Ford. Please recognize Scott's work and get him on the list. He's DOING what many on the list haven't yet.

You need to check this guy out: Michael Cayley, Creator, Social Capital Value Add - http://socialcapitalvalueadd.com/

Of the people on your list, my pick would be Shel Holtz, who continues to teach the entire communication profession how to use social media for business communication.

But one problem with lists like this is they're actually quite backward-looking, including only to people who participated in social media very early. So it's mostly the same names everyone already knows. Why not ask all those people for a favourite but relatively unknown person to profile?

I would recommend three mavens, cannot choose just one. All three guys I believe are mavens in the field and love to share information.

Chris Brogan - insightful blog postings that help me do my job, with tips and recommendations, he also replies to your emails too.

Brian Solis - I learned about social media PR from consistently reading great post on his blogs

Jeremiah Owyang - consistently great and insightful post about social media strategy.

Define "Maven": Tristan Harris, Apture

I know Robin Good and, as far as I may say, he is outstanding, always on the cutting-edge technology, fun brilliant and authoritative. Vote for Good!

Thank you for the nomination! Cooper and I are honored to be in the company of this incredible group. Here's the link to our site, The Motherhood - www.themotherhood.com (the link above is to an article written a little while back). We are all for mothers joining forces, online and off, to make things a little better each and every day.

Great list overall--if I had to pick one I'd vote for Tristan Harris. He's making a lot of great waves with Apture already, and he's got a ton of potential!

My two-pesewas goes to Tristan Harris from apture.com- what they are doing has the potential to turn the world upside down and inside out and that is what true social media should do...take it from me, a poor soul from Ghana; Aptures tool is allowing Africans despite slow connection speeds to take back our stories and share them with the world via enriched multimedia...that we control!

Tristan Harris really should be voted as a great social media innovater. Everyone we show Apture to is blown away. It is useful, easy to use and really powerful. Great concept, beautifully implemented.

I had the pleasure of transcribing the podcast Gary Vaynerchuk did for The Social Media Bible website. As I always say, you cannot create authenticity!! His interview is one of about 50 there.....that lets us "hear" what authenticity sounds like......

I would like to nominate Jeremy Pepper, he brings insight, perspective and truth to Social Media PR. His advice helps me to do my job better. Please read here, http://pop-pr.blogspot.com/

Tristan Harris is really changing how the web works with Apture. I just wish more sites used it!

I vote for Chris Brogan for his positivity and encouragement as well as his comprehensive how-to articles and great insights!!

i love tristan brogan, i always use it

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