Introduction:
This interview was conducted by Deanna, with Drew Smith, project marketing
manager for CNET data services. I first met Drew via e-mail when he contacted me about a game site on CNET.
What is your job title and position? Do you enjoy your job, and why?
My current job title is Project Marketing Manager, CNET Data Services. Our
Data Services group has only been around for several months. (Before this, I
was in our Marketing Dept. for about three years, with various
titles/positions.) I really enjoy my position, and my company. We are
building this new division from the ground up. CNET bought a Swiss company,
GDT, and this acquisition is evolving into CNET Data Services. My role is to
be the middleman between our two companies, to bring GDT into the CNET fold.
I get to do a lot of things; build our Web site from scratch, write press
releases, work on all our documentation/marketing materials, and generally
be our U.S. contact for Data Services. I feel like I'm working for a
start-up within CNET; I get the rush of working on something new, while
still having the CNET name over the door.
(CNET was founded in 1992 - the original idea was for a 24 hour cable
channel about all things high tech. CNET's first Web site came out in 1995,
in association with our first TV show, CNET Central. Since then, both our
Web sites and our television coverage have grown tremendously. I've been
with the company since July of '96.)
Why do you think the Internet is important to our society?
The Internet is a fantastic tool in many areas, most notably access to
information and communications. The amount of information about any one
subject is staggering. Anything you have an interest in can be found,
whether for business/research or simply for the pleasure of expanding your
knowledge. The Internet has also led to greater communication between once
disparate areas/groups. Personally, I'm in closer contact with my family
than I was before due to email. For business purposes, it is essential. I'm
in contact with our office in Switzerland, our folks on the East Coast, any
prospective clients who read a press release and want more information.
How do you think the Net affects our youth and our future?
The age of the technically adept seems to get younger and younger each year.
As long as they learn to balance this with other areas of their lives, this
will be a positive. The amount of knowledge they have access to is
staggering - creative minds with this type of access will churn out great
things in the coming years. As for the future, I think Vint Cerf has it
right, while speaking about the influence of the online realm: "This kind of
reaching out from anywhere in the world has got to change the way we think
about our world. It will become critical for everyone to be connected.
Anyone who isn't will essentially be isolated from the world."
What are two Web-related books and titles do you recommend for
reading, and why?
I don't read many Web-specic books; instead I'll settle for some good
science fiction. William Gibson, Philip K. Dick (Valis is one of the
strangest books I've ever read), Julian May - especially Julian May's
Galactic Milieu books. I find that science fiction writers focus on "what
will be" and deal with issues of technology v/ humanity much better than
current CEOs and other writers of mainstream, Web-related books. If you want
to go back to the beginning of all things cyber, check out Teilhard de
Chardin's "The Phenomenon of Man." Fifty years ago, he was writing about the
evolution of a world mind, or consciousness. Seen in the context of our
wired world, he was definitely ahead of his time. (And a big influence on
Julian May, the science fiction writer I mentioned above.)
What does the Web mean to you, personally?
For me, the Web is many things. Without it, I'd have to find a new job. ;-}
But more than that, I find it interesting. Interesting in a "whoops, I
forgot to have dinner because I was working on this cool new project" kind
of way. Especially here, in San Francisco, there are so many ideas - so many
young, smart people with great ideas and a determined look in their eye,
ready to change the world. There's no other place I'd rather be, and no
other time I'd rather be there. We are making it up as we go, and each new
idea is cooler than the one before - what a rush.
Away from the business aspect of it all, just the sheer volume of
information is wonderful. I'm the type of person who has bookmarks in ten
books at the same time, piles of magazines that I still haven't finished
flipping through, etc. - the more information, the better. I'm curious about
pretty much everything; the Web is the perfect tool for us info junkies.
And finally, email makes the other side of the country, even the other side
of the world, seem that much closer. Staying connected to people is as
simple as firing off a quick message. Isn't technology cool?
Thank you, Drew.
Personal thanks goes out to Drew Smith for participating in my interview. I've
always been amazed by your brilliant memory!
