As a bona fide geek and early web adopter, my love of technology and enthusiasm for sharing with others drove me to create websites and seek out online community beginning in 1987 when all I had was a 300baud modem & a local BBS (it’s OK if you have no idea what I’m referring to!). That time-consuming passion translated into the creation of award-winning sites, millions of visitors, widespread media attention, strong online communities, successful campaigns, dozens of design & UX awards, global speaking engagements and working with the best brands in the world.

In 1995 I created my personal blog, alex the girl which attracted a huge and loyal readership as well as media attention. In 1996, I became one of the first recognized online influencers and online content creators with major companies like Aveda , Jones Soda , and Bliss Spa seeking me out to evangelize their products in online campaigns before it was a standard marketing practice. Word of my organic, unique and user-friendly approach online got around. In 2001, I formed my own company, Girl at Play , to begin to help people, brands and groups achieve success online through content, community, and design.

My goal has been to use my ability to always see the top-level view of a community or company’s needs & translate that into the right online tools, channels, voice, content & campaigns. I’m absolutely passionate about creating new experiences & pushing the envelope in terms of thinking, doing and seeing.

Because of this, companies like Disney asked me to help build their first interactive site for Disney Playhouse. Demand Media asked me to help with user-engagement, content creation and new ways of developing their online strategy with properties such as eHow. Anthropologie wanted me to help them create online the kind of community they had offline, whilst still keeping their brand in-tact but translating their established brand voice to the social channels and creating a unique, user and content rich experience. Global technology companies such as Citrix wanted to know how to structure social business, service and operations for five products and silo’d internal teams. Start-ups have sought me out for advice on branding, positioning, wire framing and creating unique and functional sites. Non-profits like Direct Relief asked for content creation and social media education and I almost instantly created unbeatable ROI, content programming and drove user engagement and donations. I helped ecommerce brands such as RedEnvelope and ProFlowers create effective social branding and content strategies. Even agencies have called; from asking how to set up a digital and social department to needing a consultant to help with online education, campaigns and content for clients.

My LinkedIn Profile gives all the official sounding details but the basic info you need to know is that I’m creative, ahead of the curve, a connector and a do-er. It’s why I don’t personally blog as much as I used to – it’s because the online world is currently exploding in unique and exciting ways and, helping others to be a part of that, means a less maintaining here – which I’m fine with because I really love creating new, integrating and updating old systems and building and seeing a new idea through.