You’re in for a treat today!

Lindsay Bell is one of a kind and you’re about to learn why.

I first got to know Lindsay when she was working with Radian6. As you probably know, their community is everywhere and they do a fantastic job of spreading the word and adding value.

Lindsay is no different. She got to know me on Twitter, read the blog, and built a relationship in a way that is very human.

She is a former television producer – she worked at Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – so she’s had an entire career of building relationships with human beings. And she’s really, really good at it.

Top that with her ability to write and you have a PR professional’s dream. Heck, she’s a client’s dream. Continue Reading »

About three years ago, I got even more serious about cycling (yes, it’s possible).

I joined a team. I started to race. I got myself a coach.

And, at the same time Pete the Tapeworm was born.

Now, he’s not really a tapeworm. He’s just what I’ve named my stomach because, well, he has a mind of his own.

A little bit about Pete. Continue Reading »

If you are a long-time reader of Spin Sucks, especially of the comments, today’s #FollowFriday needs no introduction.

Howie Goldfarb is a huge supporter of us here and always adds some fun, with some smarts, in the comments. In fact, it’s because of him that the comments get so lively at times.

Also known as SkyPulseMedia, or Chief Alien, Howie is one of the top five smartest people I know. Sometimes he leaves comments that I read and think, “I have to re-read this when my brain is fresh.” They’re always full of great wisdom, intelligent debate, and a sense of humor. Continue Reading »

Joe Hackman is one of my favorite people to obsess with about things such as Groupon walking away from $6B or non-targeted PR pitches or crazy women who ask for donations with unprofessional photos on her client’s website.

He is good for some really sound technical advice and he’s a fun co-host for podcasting.

I’m sure it was Twitter where Joe and I first met, but I really got to know him earlier this year when he had Shonali Burke, Danny Brown, and me on his show.

If you know the three of us, separately, you know that entire show was a freaking riot. I’m pretty sure Shonali was the only one who had anything intelligent to say while Danny and I provided color commentary and Joe tried to reign us all in.

Then, just a few weeks ago, he thought he’d debate Danny and me about having online enemies. It turned out he agreed with us. But it’s become a challenge to find something we disagree about. Continue Reading »

There are so many fabulous things to say about Neicole Crepeau, I don’t know where to start.

OK, focus Gini, focus.

I can’t even start at the beginning because I don’t remember how I met Neicole. Was it on Twitter? Or on {grow} (where she is a contributor)?  Or via introduction from a mutual friend?

I don’t know. But what I do know is she is one of the kindest and smartest women I’ve come across in this crazy online world. Continue Reading »

I met Michelle Olson in Cabo San Lucas four years ago.

Tough life, huh? We were there for the spring Counselor’s Academy conference and, when I was introduced to her, she noticed the bandages on my knees and elbows (how embarrassing).

When asked what happened, I explained that I flew over the handlebars while mountain biking with two local tour guides who smelled so bad I had to get in front of them and missed seeing a large crevice they would have prevented me from hitting.

We became fast friends, I’m certain, because of that first impression. She, too, is a cyclist and she was mad she didn’t know about the mountain biking (I assured her she really didn’t miss anything). Continue Reading »

Five years ago, Molli Megasko was promoted from intern to account coordinator at Arment Dietrich. She was fresh out of Western Michigan University and she competed with her peers for a full-time job. And she won.

Today she leads four client accounts, manages expectations, and drives results. She does this all from New York City, where she moved with her then boyfriend two years ago (she married him three weeks ago).

I’ll never forget the day she walked into my office, closed the door, and sat down. I thought, “Oh no. She’s quitting.” She was shaking she was so nervous. I was convinced I was right. Continue Reading »

Today’s #FollowFriday is a little bit different. Elissa Freeman and I thought it’d be fun to list our five brain crushes…giving you 10 people to follow.

And, seeing as it’s the holiday weekend and I’m not going to write Gin and Topics today, I thought it was only fair to give you just a little bit more.

This started when I admitted I have a serious brain crush on Jeff Jarvis, the author of “What Would Google Do?” and The Buzz Machine.

So this is the result…10 people whose brains we love. Continue Reading »

Nancy Davis! Get your slugger out! We’re going on an adventure.

It’s #FollowFriday time and you’re the honoree. This also means you’re out of Facebook timeout. For now.

Now, now. Don’t take advantage. If you really want to know, the Ms on M&Ms are painted on by machines. Happy now?

For everyone else: I met Nancy IRL (in real life) at BlogWorld in May. She warned me that she was tiny but mighty and she did not disappoint. She is tiny and mighty and downright funny. Continue Reading »

I’m going to begin this by saying I don’t know Bridget Spence. But that’s not going to stop me from recommending her as today’s #FollowFriday.

I know. I know. I usually vet people for you. But if you bear with me on this, I think you’ll understand why I’m making an exception.

Bridget works at Event 360, a non-profit fundraising and events company that was founded, and is run, by my friend Jeff Shuck.

Bridget spends her days as a fundraising coach, where she teaches Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure participants how to raise money. The goals for each participant is $2,300, which is pretty aggressive and scary if you’ve never raised money before. She helps calm fears and motivate participants to do their part.

Not only does she spend her time working in the industry, she has walked five 3-Days and has raised more than $100,000 in the hopes of seeing a world without breast cancer. And it makes sense that she would. Continue Reading »