'Tech' means many things to many groups of people.
When media planners serve banner ads for their clients, they use technology.
When engineers code a new Facebook app, they use technology.
It's time for both of these groups to share ideas, stories and help each other grow.
This site aims to serve everyone and anyone in Chicagoland that is interested in learning more about the companies and personalities that use technology, create technology and market technology. This site also aims to show folks outside of Chicagoland that there is quite a bit of start up,VC, media and marketing activity happening in the Midwest.
Stick around, you may learn a thing or two. If nothing else, you'll earn a new appreciation for that new start-up, over worked sales person or agency media planner.
Send a note to tips <at> chicagotechreport.com to be considered for an upcoming story or if you'd like to be a CTR contributor.
Blagica (blah-gee-tsa) Bottigliero - Founder and Editor in Chief
Blagica's taken her 10 years of experience in Chicago's digital media and dot-com start up worlds and blended it with her passion for journalism to create Chicago Tech Report. From the established software giant to the seasoned media planner, there are many stories to be told. You can find a complete bio on Blagica here.
When she's not blogging, reading RSS feeds or playing with new tech tools, you can find Blagica walking around Chicago's Loop, practicing her old French lessons (out loud) or drinking wine with her Sommelier husband. Follow Blagica on Twitter.
Mark Smithivas - Contributing Writer
Mark is a social media industry analyst with particular emphasis on mobile and locative technologies. Previously he has been involved with Chicago technology companies Participate.com, a pioneer in the online community space; and Cognitive Arts, an educational and corporate learning company founded by AI guru Roger Schank. Mark has also worked in a technology role in the academic and non-profit sectors, most recently with Northwestern University's Graduate School of Education and Social Policy. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan. Follow Mark on Twitter.
Len Kendall - Contributing Writer
Len (Leonard) Kendall is a Chicago native with a passion for technology, advertising, and art.
Len started his career in advertising at The Exponent, one of the largest student run non-profit media outlets in the Big Ten. After graduating from Purdue University in 2006 with a BS in Marketing and Sales, Len continued his professional career via media planning and buying at Starcom Mediavest Group helping drive offline and online marketing campaigns for the Allstate Insurance Company. Currently, Len spends his time in the online media space at Critical Mass Chicago where he manages digital media strategy for clients such as Mercedes-Benz.
In Len's downtime he can be found blogging at www.constructivegrumpiness.com where he tries to lend his innovative thinking to help improve brands, products, and experiences. He is a passionate traveler, skier, and scrabble fanatic with a love for the city of Chicago, its people, and its prowess in the tech community. Follow Len on Twitter.
Jeff Woelker - Contributing Writer
Jeff is the Senior Digital Strategist at Slack Barshinger, a B-to-B marketing agency based in Chicago. Jeff focuses on search engine marketing, usability, social media, and web standards and how they can be used to solve business issues. In a previous life, Jeff has also worked as a Peoplesoft Consultant, HTML guru, Ben and Jerry's employee, and a dishwasher.
Outside of work, Jeff is also an avid photographer, blogger, cook, and volunteer. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelors in Secondary Education and a masters in Human Computer Interaction. Follow Jeff on Twitter or read more about Jeff at his blog.
