Dateline: Kynetx Impact Conference

Want to see the next communications revolution on the web as vendors scramble for customers demanding more control over the relationship?

Nearly 100 developers and fans of the Live Web gathered at the evening keynote session of Impact, Kynetx annual conference in South Jordan, Utah. Punching up the volume around its disruptive context automation development platform, the company brought in super-geek mentors and heavyweight speakers to this year’s event. After the gourmet geek feeding, attendees started prepping their creations for the first veggie derby I’ve ever witnessed—or even heard of. Background blues music accompanied the party mood and would be 4-wheel veggie car designers seemed only mildly annoyed when temporarily interrupted for the main event.

Browser Apps was on the menu for the evening, a subtle focusing of the company’s sweet spot in the market. Apps.kynetx.com is open for business to savvy developers catching a ride on the Live Web train. The company’s corral of devoted developers has doubled over the past year, validating the vision, and delivering apps like HoverMe, an app that uses Rdio.com and Huluflix to market.

Phil Windley, Kynetx creator and CTO addressed the crowd on the company’s vision as a “shaping strategy,” providing disruptive advancement on the Web.  He described current Web 2.0 thinking as providing “pools of information” using a “go & get” model. The Live Web Kynetx vision empowered by the Kynetx platform allows users to “define my purpose” to achieve delivery of “rivers of data” as defined by the user, cutting through the silos of information for a much more comprehensive version of web delivery. The “Kinetic Rules Language” is the basis for such Live Web development.

Doc Searls, noted tech guru, served up a vision of the transition of the Universe to the “Youniverse,” or super-

Doc Searls shares secrets of the Youniverse

empowering of individuals through the web. Searles doesn’t believe we have super-empowered individuals yet, but it’s coming. Old school: the institution can “change the terms” and controls the output. New school: the individual sets the rules of engagement with the institution. Doc summed up this vision as VRM (Vendor Relations Management) controlled by the consumer who sets the rules.

Robert Scoble rounded out the evening leading a 3-way discussion with Phil and Doc about this future web experience managed by the empowered individual. The discussion zeroed in on the dizzying transition pace from desktop to mobile devices as the platform of choice for the super-empowered consumer.

After the speeches a party broke out, led by a pinewood derby race of veggie cars like the pinewood potato and the super squash. Party on, Kynetx. Go Live Web!!!

By the way the sweet potato land cruiser beet the parsnip party car and was crowned Impact Champ!

Sample Apps: http://apps.kynetx.com ; www.followmyplayer.com

David Bradford and I first met on the Novell corporate jet returning to Utah from the company’s San Jose office. We both worked for Eric Schmidt, now of Google fame. David was Chief  Counsel, I was over investment, partner & channel Public Relations for the company. I was entranced by David’s depth of history regarding the rise of the microcomputer (PC) & the associated software battles of the 80’s & 90’s surrounding that industry.

As Chairman of Fusion-io David stays very busy. Somehow, he’s managed to find time for another new venture in his string of serial entrepreneur startups. Take a listen to his thoughts on LDS.biz “social networking with values.”

On the same May day that the stock market took a steep one-day dive, investors heard from Utah-based REIC that the company had upgraded their five-year forecast, doubling estimates for growth and income. With expansion into 15 other states and new real estate education products, they heard that the company hired 35 people in 2009 and plans similar new jobs in 2010.

Listen: Steve Earl – CEO talks company growth – Apr2010 wealth summit

As energy continues to affect every economic sector, Utah’s U.S. Synthetic recently topped the 500-employee mark. Their forecasts show strong growth with innovative synthetic diamond products coming to market.

Startup Illumra, an Orem incubator (CEDO) company, is ramping sales and staff as they launch disruptive new energy efficient self-powered, wireless electronics that are turning industry heads. In my work with UVEF, Utah Student 25, and other entrepreneurial groups, I see brilliant technologies and bold new products and services stimulating the economy.

While there are still turbulent times ahead, there are positive signs of growth and much to look forward to on the state’s business horizon.

Do you think the economy is on the rebound?

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The crowd of entrepreneurs attending today’s UVEF presentation responded enthusiastically to Todd Pedersen, CEO and founder of  APX Alarm. With 5500 employees, the company expects to knock on 10 million doors this summer as it gobbles market share in the home security market. 850,000 installations to-date puts APX in the top 4 companies in their industry.

If you think Todd is ready for a vacation, you would be mistaken, and don’t let his casual dress fool you.  I work out with the guy at Gold’s Gym. This guy is on fire with passion about life, family, and business. His down to earth approach to relationships communicates empowerment to others left elevated by his presence.  Todd is moving the company aggressively into the “energy management” space and plans on having 100,000 such customers by year end. [Now, that's energy efficiency that gets this cleantech PR guy excited.]

Todd’s secrets for success? Here are a few:

“I love stress… If I’m not stressed, it stresses me out.”

“I love problems.”

“Adapt non-stop- change on the fly.”

“Treat employees like gold…employees are the product.”

“If profit is your only motive, you are done already.”

Today’s crowd of around a thousand business, government, and education leaders heard the good, the bad, and the ugly about Utah economic recovery in 2010 and beyond.  While morning keynote and former Wells Fargo Bank VP, Kelly Matthews stated that “headwind issues will trump tailwind ones” this year in Utah, he also quoted comparatively positive unemployment (6.5%) inventory, sales,  and investment numbers that are among the strongest in the nation.

While Former Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Randal Quarles, talked about continued downside pressure in financial markets due to credit market meltdown and the spiraling  U.S. national debt (80% expected growth in 2 years), others expressed optimism.

David Chen, Chair for the Oregon Innovation Council, shared an outsider view as one seeing Utah as “an enviable place to be” especially compared to other struggling western states.  Governor Gary Herbert echoed this positive view pointing to growth sectors like hi-tech, cleantech, energy, biotech, financial, and healthcare. Having just met with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, he said California’s governor may know what it is like to be the “captain of the Titanic.” Utah in contrast, Herbert said, has third parties gushing about our state’s relative strength:

#1 Most Dynamic Economy – Kauffman-State New Economy Index

#2 America’s Healthiest State – Forbes

#3 Best State for Business – Forbes

#1 Expected Economic Recovery – American Legislative Exchange

Governor Gary Herbert says Utah economy "turning the corner"

Multiple speakers including the Governor and GOED director, Spence Eccles, agreed that the support and growth of entrepreneurship is critical to the state’s ongoing economic health. In my more private meeting recently with the governor and Eccles as the the Chairman of the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF), that point was driven home with the promise to promote an regulatory environment of limited government to allow entrepreneurs and the free market economy to thrive.

As a entrepreneur and business owner (PilmerPR & Junto Communications), my takeaway was appreciation for the state from which we serve a national clientele.

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We’re frequently asked, “What should my business do, from a PR perspective?”

Most of the  time, they’re not asking for a full consultation, but are asking, “What do the successful companies know?”

For months, the PilmerPR team has been working behind-the-scenes to compile the most useful information together, and in terms for the layman. The result is “PR 101: The Basics.”

Beginning this month, PilmerPR will host the webinars to introduce basic public relations strategies to entrepreneurs, CXOs and emerging company owners, within an hour.

This is not just a sales presentation. You will come away seeing your business from a PR perspective, which may inspire you to rethink current practices.

Topics include the following:

• Social Media – Money Maker or Energy Leak
• Press Releases – Not Just for Reporters Anymore
• Online Media Revolution – A Conceptual and Monetary Shift
• Measurement – Turning PR into Money
• Watering Holes – Finding Prospects in 2010
• Avoiding Potholes – Common Errors of Entrepreneurs
• What’s News? – Making News Newsworthy
• And More!

“PR 101: The Basics” is only $149. For this first webinar, if you sign up for the PilmerPR newsletter, we will give you a code to attend for just $49.

Sign up for the PilmerPR Newsletter:

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There are so many new green technologies under development that it’s hard to keep track. Here’s one more. What if I told you there was a cleantech auto transmission under development that will yield 30% greater MPG, even in big-rig trucks? Gas, diesel, electric, CNG–doesn’t matter. What if I further told you that Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, and Subaru were all looking at it. More to come…

Did you know that in the U.S. we consume 176 billion gallons of motor fuel per year? (source: USDOT) If 1% of our vehicles increased their MPG by 30%, that would save 528 million gallons of fuel the first year.

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More more info: jpilmer@pilmerpr.com

PilmerPR was honored by its peers in Utah for its outstanding media relations, Wednesday.

The Golden Spike Awards committee recognized PilmerPR in the Publicity and Media Relations category for its work promoting the ElectraTherm Green Machine. As part of the campaign, PilmerPR garnered 38 news articles, a syndicated radio interview, interviews on FOX Business News, The 700 Club, and multiple local television stations, and an online podcast. We also helped catch the attention of Popular Science Magazine, which awarded the ElectraTherm Green Machine in its “Best of What’s New” issue. In one year, the campaign reached more than 304 million people, and achieved publicity that would cost around $570,000 if gained through advertising.

PilmerPR founder John Pilmer was also recognized as one of the top five PR pro’s in the state for his accomplishments and ethics.

According to the committee, all Golden Spike entries are judged by fellow PR professionals, following a stringent set of criteria that ensure only the best in the industry are recognized.

These awards represent our commitment to provide best-in-class results for our clients. They can depend on our staff’s media relations skills to bring new top-tier investors and customers to their door.

We are pleased that our results are not only recognized by our clients, but also other PR professionals. We look forward to the years ahead.

Read the full press release here.

Alan Ashton & Lt. Gov Gary Herbert address UVEF

Fox News: UVEF Top 25 Under 5

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Today, Lt Gov Gary Herbert keynoted a terrific awards program by the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF). 160 attendees. 25 top companies under five years of age were honored. Representing $80 million in combined 2008 revenue, the winners created 840 jobs last year. ZAGG, Imagination Learning, and OrangeSoda came in 1, 2, & 3.  Emcee, Rick White, co-founder of rising startup Fusion-io kept the event light with ample humor and insights into the healthy state of entrepreneurism in Utah.

According to soon to be Governor Herbert, 50% of jobs in Utah come from small business.  The Wall Street Journal reported this past month that more than half of the Fortune 500 in 2009 launched in recessions or bear markets. Speakers at the event credited Utah’s relatively resilient economy is due to great startup companies like those honored today.

The Daily Herald honored Alan Ashton, founder of WordPerfect, with a special “Founding Fathers” award for his quarter century of contributing to Utah business and the community.

Media for the event:

YouTube highlights video

Business Wire coverage

Daily Herald coverage

Daily Herald special section on Utah entrepreneurs

Deseret News coverage

Utah Pulse coverage

Wasatch Digital IQ coverage

Fox TV News coverage

Tomorrow, UVEF will announce it’s 2009 “Top 25 Under Five” award winners in the company of Utah’s Lt Gov Gary Herbert*, Fusion-io CMO Rick White, and a who’s who of business leaders and VC types. They will honor the great entrepreneurs of our day. This year’s winners produced $80M in 2008 revenue and created 840 jobs. With Utah’s nationally leading business climate, entrepreneurs will likely have far more to do with economic recovery than Washington’s stimulus packages.

In June, Wall Street Journal cited a study revealing that more than half of the 2009 Fortune 500 launched their companies during a recession or bear market. My experience serving on a number of boards for startups, business incubators, and mentoring organizations shows me that recessions push would be entrepreneurs to take the bold step into the unknown. We are the beneficiaries of such risk tolerant, brave leadership.

*soon to be Governor Herbert, once Jon Huntsman is approved as US Ambassador to China by the U.S. Senate