Can Gaming Make the World Better?
Let’s face it—games make our lives more fun, but can they also make a positive impact on the world? At the recent Games for Change Festival, Al Gore said “games are the new normal” and that “the gamification trend is really powerful” in helping to solve issues like climate change. Over the past year, we’ve seen an influx of startups using social gaming to motivate people to do good and change their lifestyles. Armed with the philosophy that it is only by inspiring a massive shift in consumer behavior that we can make a measurable impact on the world, these companies are using gaming mechanics and incentives to engage, educate and motivate a global audience. This panel will discuss if gaming for good can actually drive large-scale change, as SCVNGR’s Seth Priebatsch discussed last year at SXSW’s keynote, and examine how we can measure that impact.
Presenters
Built Quattro, Access, first Ajax engine in 96 for IE, XML, Google Calendar, Spreadsheets, and Google Health along with other overly technical endeavors. Started 3 companies, Analytica, Crossgain, and Keas. Decided to make a difference to the world in a positive way 10 years ago by focusing on improving the world's health. Busy writing code at Keas right now to do just that.
As DoSomething.org’s CTO, George manages all online and mobile communication systems for DoSomething.org. Under his leadership, the organization has become an innovator in social media, mobile technologies and cause. During his 4.5 years at DoSomething.org, he oversaw the complete overhaul of the site (cms, architecture, skin, etc) in 2008, landing a People’s Choice Webby Award in the Youth in 2009 and nomination in 2010.
Originally from Brooklyn, George holds a BA in from the University of Pennsylvania which included classes at the Wharton School. George also completed a Nano (Executive) MBA with Seth Godin. In addition to his work at DoSomething.org, George has done consulting for various not-for-profits and companies to guide their online strategy and site development.
He is a frequent speaker on not-for-profit tech issues at forums including the Blog World Expo, Net Impact, Google Grants Conference, NTEN, The Good Pitch SF, U.N. Youth Summit, NonProfit Coordinating Committee NY, National Conference on Volunteering and Service, and as a guest lecturer at NYU and NYIT. George is also a featured contributor for the Huffington Post Impact section (HuffingtonPost.com/george-weiner).
@Georgecaweiner
UX designer and game designer. Currently developing new products at Google X. In the past, a designer for local & social at Google Hotpot and Google Universal Search.
Chief Revenue Officer Samantha Skey is responsible for building a sustainable profit model for Recyclebank, monetizing all consumer touch-points. Before joining Recyclebank, Skey was chief marketing officer of Passenger, the social software innovator. Before working at Passenger, she served as executive vice president of development at Alloy Media & Marketing. Skey has also managed advertising and sponsorship divisions of Disney and CNET, and worked in digital marketing at Interactive Imaginations (now 24/7 Real Media). She currently serves on the board of ad:tech. Skey received her B.A. in comparative literature from Hamilton College. She enjoys fairy fashion shows with her 6-year-old, tower-building with her 2-year-old, and surfing with her husband.
Sunday, March 11
