Last Saturday, I had the chance to speak at Podcamp Seattle, organized in party by my friend Eric Weaver of Edelman Digital.  It was great to see such a positive turnout on a weekend day when the sun was shining, and the Fremont Solstice parade was taking place just a few miles away from the University of Washington.

 I spoke on the topic on Social Media and Public Relations, which seemed to me like a bit of a broad topic, but it came together fairly well as a topical and interesting subject to research and discuss.  A copy of my presentation can be downloaded here.  

 The other thing to add about the un-conference, as it was billed, was the amount of content that was created almost instantly to the content presented at the sessions.  Attendees were asked to record, in any form possible - photo, video, audio, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc. - the sessions and the opinions of the audience.  Just Google podcampseattle and you'll see the power of tagging and instant content development and publishing.   

On Message Ventures produced a lunch seminar for client Strata8 Networks in Seattle last week, titled "Controlling Enterprise Wireless Expenditures". The below video is Dr. Gerry Purdy, VP of Research, Mobile and Wireless, of Frost & Sullivan explaining to a group of executives the current state of the wireless communications industry.

On Message Ventures produced a lunch seminar for client Strata8 Networks in Seattle last week, titled "Controlling Enterprise Wireless Expenditures". The below video is Andrew Wilson, EVP of Strata8, explaining to a group of executives the most effective methods of controlling and reducing enterprise cellular expenses.

Today, On Message Ventures client Voxalot announced that RSVP, Austrailia's largest online dating site, has launched Voxalot's VoxConnect secure, anonoymous calling functionality.  See this morning's press release below. 

SYDNEY, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2008-- Voxalot, the global voice applications provider, today announced that RSVP (www.rsvp.com.au), Australia's largest online dating site, has launched 1-to-1 Private Calling utilizing Voxalot's VoxConnect API.

The VoxConnect API platform provides RSVP members with secure, anonymous calling functionality as a value-added service. RSVP currently boasts more than 1.2 million members and is owned by Fairfax Media (www.fairfax.com.au).
VoxConnect enables RSVP members to add anonymous calling into their existing contact process in a safe and secure manner.

"Our relationship with RSVP validates the VoxConnect API as a compelling way for transactional social networks to monetize common interactions and provide additional value to their members," said Tony Mascarenhas, CEO of Voxalot. "We are looking forward to making a contribution to the continued growth of one of Fairfax Media's most interesting online properties," Mascarenhas said.

"We're showing website and network owners how any site orapplication can support voice calling within its own social orcommercial context, and, conversely, how these site owners can put anatural interface on phone calling," Mascarenhas said. "Just as important, the VoxConnect API addresses growing online privacy andsecurity concerns by enabling voice communication without knowing theother phone number," he added.

About Voxalot
Voxalot builds new streams of revenue and opportunity into onlinesocial communications. Now, transactional social networks and commercesites can provide safe, secure, anonymous connections between memberswith a single click. Voxalot's VoxConnect Web Services give users theability to choose when, where and who they communicate with -- online or off. All while online social communications and commerce sites convert conversations into new revenue.

About RSVP
RSVP is owned by Fairfax Media.
Fairfax Media is Australia's leading provider of online news and classifieds. Comprising around 30 interactive sites that reach over eight million visitors each month, Fairfax Media provides incisive and constantly updated information on news, finance, business, IT, sport and entertainment.

CONTACT: For more information, press only:
            North America and Europe:
            On Message Ventures, LLC
            Leigh Fatzinger, Principal, +1-206-438-4080
            press@onmessageventures.com
            or
            Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Far East:
            Voxalot Pty Ltd
            Tony Mascarenhas, CEO, +61-2-8206-2533
            tony@voxalot.com

On Message client Strata8 Networks today announced an exclusive free lunch seminar at the Bellevue Hyatt, Thursday April 24th, 2008 from 11:30am to 1:00pm.  The seminar, titled Controlling Enterprise Wireless Expenditures, is aimed at executive and telecom decision makers at medium to large enterprises. Attendees will gain the tools, insight, and
information required to effectively reduce one of the fastest growing operational expenditure categories in enterprises today: cellular communications.

The panel of speakers include:

• Christine Chen - Emmy Award Winning Anchor/Producer and host of the PBS series, "About the Money with Christine Chen"
• Gerry Purdy, PhD - Vice President of Research for Frost & Sullivan
• Andrew Wilson - EVP of Sales and Marketing for Strata8 Networks 

For more information, or to register your enterprise for this information packed 90-minute free lunch and seminar, click here.