www.commnexus.org

GADGET FEST 2009 Emcees & Judges

GREATEST GADGET COMPETITION EMCEES

Ken Rutkowski
KenRadio, 
Host and President

Ken Rutkowski is both Host and President of KenRadio Broadcasting. Part pundit, part matchmaker, part strategist, Rutkowski is considered one of the most broadly informed and connected people in the media, entertainment and technology markets. He helps startups and multinational corporations understand the trends shaping their industries and connect with the people who matter. His daily radio and Internet show, World Tech Round-Up, is a source of inside information for listeners in more than 40 countries, often scooping the major media and giving perspective to emerging trends, developments and industry maneuvers. An astute strategist, Rutkowski combines a deep understanding of media, entertainment and technology market convergence with an insider’s perspective of the problems facing the industry today, helping clients craft strategies that leverage innovations in the digital economy. He is a founding member of the Streaming Media Executive Committee and is on the boards of several media, entertainment and technology companies. He appears regularly as a guest correspondent for KTTV Fox 11 and Fox’s “Good Day LA.”

Andy Abramson
KenRadio, 
Co-Host and Sr. Editor

Andy Abramson is co-host of KenRadio.com’s World Technology Round Up, Editor of Andy Abramson’s VoIPWatch, one of the blogosphere’s most read new technology blogs (http://andyabramson.blogs.com).  Often quoted by reporters and analysts on the subjects of VoIP and Wireless in his real life Andy is CEO of Comunicano, Inc., an asymmetrical marketing communications agency based in Del Mar, CA.  His company represents leading established and emerging 2.0 technology and consumer products companies based around the world.

JUDGES
Steve Kovsky
Technology Correspondent, San Diego 6 TV

Steve Kovsky is a veteran technology journalist, author and consultant based in San Diego. Steve has covered business and technology for more than 20 years in print, radio, television and online. He currently serves as the resident “tech expert and gadget guy” for broadcast stations San Diego 6 TV  and CBS Radio affiliate KFWB (“News 980”) in Los Angeles. In addition, Steve is a contributing editor for a variety of technology publications and Web sites, including InformationWeek, eWeek, TechWeb, TechRepublic, DailyTech, and others.  Steve is a sought-after speaker and moderator, who appears regularly at IT industry events. He has also authored two popular “how to” technology books for consumers, and has hosted radio shows on tech topics in San Francisco, Boston, San Diego and Sacramento. Steve served as Principal Analyst for Digital TVs and Research Leader for the Consumer Electronics Group at Current Analysis, a San Diego market research firm that was acquired by NPD Group in 2007. He currently provides marketing and business development leadership for Cosmic Bridge, a San Diego-based contract software developer, and the Outsourcing Industry Council, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to establishing best practices for both onshore and offshore outsourcing solutions.

Andy McGuire
Vice President, GSMA Mobile Innovation

As the leading edge of GSMA’s initiative to stimulate mobile innovation and accelerate its deployment and adoption, Andy McGuire provides thought leadership to the mobile community and promotes collaboration among key members of the mobile ecosystem—MNO’s, developers, investors, and industry suppliers. McGuire started his telecommunications career with BellSouth International and was involved in BSI’s expansion to Latin America and Europe. He also has significant start-up experience and has provided strategic consulting services to carriers in North and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. McGuire has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University and an International MBA (IMBA) from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.