Dirk is a Software Developer from South Africa. He loves all things Technology and is slightly addicted to Twitter and Jimi Hendrix. Apart from writing code, he also enjoys writing human readable articles. “I love sharing knowledge and connecting with people from around the world. It’s the diversity that makes life so beautiful.” Dirk feels very strongly that pizza is simply not complete without Tabasco, that you can never have too much garlic, and that cooking the perfect steak is an art he has yet to master.

Anita is commonly referred to as the Head Twirp. By day she’s a mild-mannered (NOT) social media consultant and trainer, at her own company Twirp Communications. By night she’s a paper crafting super hero (PERHAPS). Addicted to all things pretty and frilly, lover of all colors, chewer of cinnamon gum, wearer of awesome boots, and not afraid to admit her friends live in her computer. She just wishes Dexter Morgan and Eric Northman would come OUT of her computer.

Mikel King is an industry leader in the Information Technology Services and Social Media for over 20 years. He is currently the Chief Olive Pitter for Olivent Technologies, a professional creative services partnership in NY, under contract to Etsy developing amazingly awesome tools for their blogs system. Additionally he is currently serving as the Secretary of the BSD Certification group as well as a Senior Editor for the BSD News Network and JAFDIP.

Twitter addict, Writer. Focus: film, pop culture, neuromarketing, psychology, social media, creativity. Featured in Huffington Post’s #twitterpowerhouses series: “Rise of the Female Geek.” Lives in New York City and caters to a nameless, diabetic cat.

Alan’s worked in advertising for nearly 20 years and has just returned to England after being the Regional Creative Director and Digital Strategic Director for VML in the Middle East. An award-winning Creative Director, he has a real passion, probably addiction, for social media. He even launched his own social media community in late 2011 for people who collect comic books, coins, stamps, antiques etc. It’s called Sqrall. He was once called ‘The king of geeks’ because of Sqrall, which he took as the ultimate compliment. He is a writer, poet, artist and he lives with his wife and two children in England.

Nuno Teixeira is a programmer and designer by day. Artist and writer by night. Always entertained by his overtly energetic pug, Mogwai, and forever distracted by ideas and projects, it’s a wonder anything productive actually gets done at all. Currently, the biggest project being worked on is a 270-page comic project called “Raven Nevermore“.

Kimberly Erskine is a recent Rowan University graduate where she recently earned a BA in English and a BA in Writing Arts with a Concentration in Creative Writing. She currently interns for CloudItGuru.com as a blogger and web content writer. Kimberly has a passion for all genres of writing, social media, books, and all things geek. She currently resides in Woodbury, NJ with her parents, her cat, Gizmo, and an extensive collection of gnomes. If you would like to contact Kimberly feel free to e-mail her at kimerskine3@gmail.com

Dr Dean Anthony Gratton is a bestselling author and columnist.
Dean has worked extensively within the wireless communications R&D industry and has an accomplished career in software engineering. He was an Editor of the Specification of the Bluetooth System: Profiles, v1.1 and participated in defining the initial Bluetooth Personal Area Networking profiles. He was also active in the NFC technology and marketing committees. Dean is a contributor to several industry periodicals, where he has written many contentious articles sharing his thoughts and challenges on wireless industry news, opinions and gossip.
Dean has become an influential social media persona (as @grattonboy) and has been listed in the 50 “Top Dogs” of Twitter. He is also listed as one of the ‘Top Marketing Book Authors on Twitter’ in Social Media Marketing Magazine.
Dean holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) Psychology and a Doctorate in Telecommunications.

Ben is an independent filmmaker, writer, and online content developer. He currently co-hosts and produces the weekly vodcast “FiST Chat,” dedicated to bringing insightful and entertaining discussions on all things film, science and technology. You can also see Ben as the co-host of the web series “Food Discoveries,” exploring various culinary experiences from around the world. Ben is the founder of production companies Digicosm and Small Wave Films, and has produced and directed numerous short films, feature films and documentaries since the late 1990s. When he’s not working, Ben indulges his love of traveling, food, technology, cinema, and music.

Jim Vacey is an editor and content specialist with an online marketing firm in Bohemia, NY. Jim is a graduate from Dowling College and loves reading graphic novels, writing screenplays and being a nerd. Jim is now the proud father of his first child, Harley Quinn Vacey (Oh and is a huge fan of Batman if you couldn’t tell). Jim also writes for The MANual with his buddy Ben. The MANual is a guidebook for women who don’t understand their man and men who want to be a little more manly without ripping out their own chest hair.

Alayna is a full-time writer. She works from her home in Pittsburgh where she’s constantly distracted by the antics of her black cat, Betty. Her favorite modes of procrastination are gardening, drawing, jewelry making and reading. Her library is stuffed with comics, literary journals and her favorite — dystopian novels. She works out in preparation for the zombie apocalypse and since she can fire a gun and deadlift 200 pounds, you’d definitely want her on your survival team. To see more of her art and writing, visit Alayna Frankenberry.

+Erin Ryan is a writer for various Social Media & Tech blogs and currently works within the Social Media Industry. Erin has a keen understanding of the power of Social Media for business and fervently stays up-to-date.

Creator and head editor of Socialeyezer, a social media news, cyberculture and geek guide She enjoys finding the latest in social media, tech and geek culture. Erin often expresses her thoughts and opinions on TheErinRyan A Personal Approach to Social Media. Connect on Erin Ryan’s Social Networks through her About.me Profile.

Sida Li is the VP of Operations at fishbat, a digital marketing agency. He has managed social media accounts for multiple B2C brands. Sida is a published poet and writer. His other hobbies include blogging and creating YouTube videos. You can find his digital footprint on his about.me page, or tweet him @sidasidasida.

Tara Hornor has found her niche writing about social media, technology, marketing, advertising, branding, web and graphic design, and desktop publishing. She writes for PrintPlace.com and enjoys advising readers on how best to improve designs and strategies for their postcards and brochures from PrintPlace.com. Be sure to follow @TaraHornor for more updates on technology and marketing advice.

Matt is an accomplished Sales & Marketing executive specializing Social Media Marketing and Brand Strategy. He currently lives in Roma, Queensland in the Australian outback and is a super keen snowboarder and surfer when he gets the chance. Passionate about helping businesses get started in Social Media marketing, Matt runs a boutique marketing business named Social Strategies. He also produces House Music with his studio partner as ‘Warbled Sight Duo’ (ask him what that’s an anagram for) and enjoyed the lifestyle of a globe hopping DJ in an earlier chapter. Matt loves conversation, so you should connect with him through your preferred Social Media channel.

As the published author of two bestselling books, A Walk In The Snark and The Mancode: Exposed (with book three, Broken Pieces, out December, 2012), and social media/branding/author consultant for her company BadRedheadMedia, Rachel spends her days writing, teaching social media tips and tricks, and helping authors create successful book marketing campaigns. She brings over fifteen years of sales, training, and marketing experience to her company, which she finds helpful as an author as well. Find Rachel on all the usual channels at RachelintheOC or BadRedheadMedia. As long as you offer her Nutella, she’ll be friendly. Contact Rachel at BadRedheadMedia@gmail.com.

Laura is executive director of public relations for The Tombras Group. She holds an MBA in finance and maintains her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) with the Public Relations Society of America. Laura is also a certified power yoga instructor and a gourmet cupcake enthusiast.

In addition to her posts for Bit Rebels, she blogs at TalkStreetSmart.com. You can reach Laura at lbower@tombras.com.

I’m a co-founder of GuavaBox, a web design and inbound marketing agency. We help businesses grow by reaching new customers through content and inbound marketing. I’m a lacrosse coach on the side and love doing almost anything outside.
You can email me at andrew@guavabox.com and I’d love to connect on LinkedIn and Twitter!

As CEO of engageSimply, a social commerce tech start up, I am on this unexpected journey to launch a tech venture. I am also on a crusade to bring the human element back to marketing.

In my previous lives at AT&T, Bell Labs, CA and a few startups along the way, I learned to love tech but understood how to put it to work for people. Even though I don’t fit the archetype of a tech CEO. I am not a guy. I can’t code. I am not 20 something or 30 something and or even 40 something.

But we are on this journey to bring the human element back to tech marketing & that makes us a rebel startup. Watch this space. Our venture launches soon.

Judy Shapiro
engageSimply, CEO
www.engageSimply.com
Blog: http://trenchwars.wordpress.com/articles-buzz/

Shubham Dubey is an 18-year-old blogger, search engine expert, and geek. Last year he dropped out of school to follow his dream of being an online marketer. He blogs about success, motivation and internet marketing on his website at Senior Dropout.

Erica is an advertising graduate and currently works in the field of social media marketing. She enjoys seeing the advertising world evolve into its full potential and crossover into new mediums. She finds blogging as a fun and interactive way of expanding personal knowledge. She is interested in topics like design, advertising, social media and other creative related topics. She is an animal lover and has two lovely dachshunds to keep her company. Check out her other blog at Creative or Not?.

+JD Rucker is editor at Soshable and Director of New Media at KPA. Before the internet, he used to enjoy sports, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. Now he enjoys Starbucks and social media.

Martin Delaney is a self-confessed Internet addict and co-founder of a UK based fancy dress retailer that specialises in a variety of superhero, movie and Halloween themed costumes. Feel free to connect with him on Google.