New Member Profile: Meet Justin Simon

Name: Justin SimonCompany: Code Relevant, social media division of LA PR firm Bender/Helper ImpactTitle: Chief Relevant OfficerMost exciting or meaningful work project: My background is in sports. While at Fox Sports Net, we did a charity event with Kobe Bryant, Drew Brees, Jennie Finch and other athletes to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The athletes couldn’t have been nicer and the community benefitted emotionally and financially.I learned about SMCLA from: A good friend and long-time colleague is a member of SMC New York and suggested I check out SMCLA.I joined SMCLA because: I went to the summer mixer and was really impressed with how the organization was run, the quality and diversity of the people I met, and how friendly and knowledgeable everyone was. I knew before I left the mixer I would be joining.FavoritesLA hangout: Being an east coaster, one of the things I love most about LA is that every area feels completely different. But my favorites are the South Bay (Hermosa and Manhattan) pier areas and downtown Culver City.LA sports teams: I’ve lived all over the east coast, so my teams are the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Pistons (yes, I know they’re not on the east coast, but I wrote for Pistons.com for a season and came to like the organization). I’ve never been a hockey guy, but LA Kings fans are pretty knowledgeable.Charity: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Los Angeles. I was privileged to be a part of their organization for eight years.Movie about LA: “White Men Can’t Jump,” with a special nod to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”Blogs: I know neither counts as a true blog, but I am a huge fan of both Reddit and Fark. If I had to pick a true blog, I’d go with Consumerist.Social media channel: Twitter.Favorite apps: I’m addicted to NBC Sports Talk and Evernote and use Gasbuddy weekly.Where can we find you?Twitter: @justinsimonLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/justinsimonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinbsimonIn the future (2014 and beyond), I predict social media will: Continuously change. There is a social network being developed as we speak that will turn out to be the next Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook. The industry is still in its infancy. I can’t wait to see what comes in the next five, 10 years.I’d like to see a future SMCLA panel on: Clearing up analytics confusion. And social media for live events.