July 30, 2008 - SAN DIEGO, CA - The International Blogging and New Media Association (IBNMA) today announced the creation of an Advisory Board consisting of some of the most respected authorities in the blogging, podcasting and new media industry.

"IBNMA's Board of Directors recognized early on the need to create an advisory board to provide guidance to the association and insure its ongoing health and well-being," stated IBNMA president Paul Chaney, "In choosing board members we focused on finding trusted industry leaders who could advise the organization based on their deep understanding of blogging and social media. We believe this group represents exactly that and we are excited that they would agree to serve in this capacity."

The Advisory Board consists of:

Ann Handley, Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs (www.marketingprofs.com) and author of Annarchy (www.annhandley.com)

Chris Brogan, social media blogger and VP of Strategy, Crosstech Media (www.chrisbrogan.com)

Des Walsh, Social Media Strategist and Business Coach (www.deswalsh.com)

Erin Kotkecki Vest, Political Director and Election 08’ Producer for BlogHer.com (www.queenofspain.com)

Larry Genkin, Founder & CEO of Blogger & Podcaster Magazine, Larstan Publishing Inc. (www.bloggerandpodcaster.com)

La Shawn Barber, Washington, DC-based freelance writer, blogger, and blog consultant (www.lashawnbarber.com)

Toby Bloomberg, Social media marketing consultant and adjunct professor at Goizueta School of Business at Emory University (www.divamarketingblog.com)

Todd Carpenter, founder of Bizomi Consulting LLC, and Mariah.com, a Web 2.0 network of real estate and mortgage industry blogs, tools, and web sites (www.bizomi.com)

"We wanted to gather the best of the best in each genre in the blogosphere and other parts of new media and it is beginning to take shape," said Jim Turner, a member of IBNMA's Board of Directors. "The executive board could not be happier that we are assembling what appears to be an all-star lineup of professionals and forward thinking individuals."

The Advisory Board will meet via conference call on a monthly basis to provide guidance on issues the IBNMA should be addressing, make recommendations on topics for education and research and advise on other matters as needed. The group will also hold an in-person meeting during BlogWorld and New Media Expo.

The current Advisory Board represents about half the number that will eventually be asked to serve. When the selection process is completed the board will number anywhere from 15 to 20 members.

About IBNMA
IBNMA is a global non-profit association serving the interests of the blogging and new media communities the world over. The Association’s mission is four-fold: To provide research, information, education and advocacy to bloggers, podcasters, social media consultants and others related to the industry in any way.

Web site: www.ibnma.org

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