On November 2nd, #140conf returns to Tel Aviv, and will be taking place at Nalaga’at” Center, located at the Jaffa port.
At #140conf Tel Aviv, one of the subject areas being covered for the first time at any #140conf is the social revolution which started in Israel in July and continues to this day.
Being that this event is taking place in Tel Aviv, the hi-tech start-up capital of the world, a number of the speakers will be from start-ups and I am looking forward to having Start-up Nation co-author Saul Singer speak on our stage.
I happen to have a passion for music and music is an area I look to cover at each of the #140conf events. I’m excited to have: David Broza, Efraim Shamir, Steve Greenberg and Yoni Bloch speaking at this conference.
Overall, this will be a great #140conf event and I am looking forward hosting #140conf Tel Aviv.
I just posted the working draft of our conference schedule over at: http://tlv.140conf.com/schedule
If you are thinking of attending, and are not already registered, please take a moment and register NOW to make sure you have a ticket to the event. http://tlv.140conf.com/register is the link to register.
Confirmed speakers (as of 4 October) include:
- Ala Shiban (@AlaShiban) – Entrepreneur and Software Engineer
- Alon Nir (@TheKotel) – Founder, Tweet Your Prayers
- Amit Shafrir (@ashafrir) – President, Badoo
- Asaf Levi (@Asafcha) – founder, Qmee
- Baruch Lipner (@TmuraIL) – Executive Director, Tmura
- Benny Daon (@daonb) – Father, Coder, Pythonista, Djangonaut, Hacker, Tel-Avivian and a free-radical-wanna-be
- Cathy Brooks (@CathyBrooks) – Raconteur/Founder Other Than That
- David Broza (@DavidBroza) – Music Artist
- Dudi Balsar (@dudbalsar) – Entrepreneur, model
- Efraim Shamir (@fshamir) – Music Artist
- Gil Rimon (@subtext) – Founder, Stevie
- Jacob Ner-David (@nerdavid) – co-founder, 3Rings
- Jeff Keni Pulver (@jeffpulver) – founder, #140conf
- Lior Manor (@liormanor) – World renowned Mind Reader and Magician
- Mel Rosenberg (@MelRosenberg) – scientist and inventor, children’s book author, youtube newbie
- Oded Sharon (@SoundGuy) – Founder and CEO, Corbomite Games
- Oded Vardi – Entrepreneur and Investor
- Oren Zuckerman – Assistant Professor, IDC
- Ori Leshman – Conductor and Composer
- Orli Yakuel אורלי (@Orli) – Go2web20 Co-Founder, Tech-Blogger, and Web Consultant & Analyst
- Ran Livne (@ranlivne) – Chairman, Tel Aviv University Student Union
- Romi Itzhaki (@romi99) – New media projects manager
- Ronen Raz (@shulgi) – co-founder, JustCoz
- Sagee Ben-Zedeff (@sageeb) – Founder, Serendip Media
- Saul Singer (@saulsinger) – Co-author, Start-Up Nation
- Shiri Perciger-Cohen (@shiribiri) – Infoluster, ADDer, Geek, Ninja
- Steve Greenberg (@steviegpro) – Founder & CEO, S-Curve Records
- Tally Netzer (@tallynetzer) – Marketing Consultant
- Yoni Bloch (@yonibloch) – Founder, Interlude & Music Artist
- Yosi Taguri (@yosit) – Co Creator of Pah!
- Yossi Vardi
Hope to see you at #140conf Tel Aviv.
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Tags: 140conf, social media, Tel Aviv, 140confTLV11, Jeff Keni Pulver

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Tags: TheXFactorAustralia, Emmanuel Kelly, Jeff Keni Pulver

Chris shares his life story in the backstory of this video and in the lyrics of his song “Young homie what are you trippin on?” which he sings in his audition.
Go ahead and watch this video:

What was your reaction? Please feel free to share your comments below.
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Tags: TheXFactorUSA, Chris Rene, Jeff Keni Pulver

From X Factor last night, my favorite audition was Jazzlyn Little. Please watch her video and share your reaction to her audition below.

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Tags: TheXFactorUSA, Jazzlyn Little, Jeff Keni Pulver

Last night when I was watching X Factor I believe I saw the audition of someone who will make it to the finals and who regardless, will have a future career in the music industry.
When watching this video please pay careful attention to the body launage of the judges before, during and after the performance.
Josh Krajcik is a Singer with Soul.

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Tags: TheXFactorUSA, Josh Krajcik, Social Media Birthday, Jeff Keni Pulver

In the span of five days, two amazing, terrific, possibly life changing experiences took place in the world of #140conf, #140confONT on September 15th and #140conf SmallTown on September 20th, 2011
While these events were very different events with a different stated focus, in the end, both events were more the same then they were different.
To be fair, when looking back, the #140Conf events have been evolving since before our first event in June, 2009.
A few days ago, my friend, Jon Swanson shared with me his words about #140conf which I believe captures the essense of the #140conf experience.
Paraphrasing Jon’s words: “My goal with #140conf is to create a forum where a lot of people can participate. Along those lines, at any given #140conf, some of the stories are going to be about things that are interesting. Some stories are going to be about things that are exciting and creative. And some of those stories are going to be about finding meaning, like the stories Jodi, Heather, and Taylor shared at #140confOnt and the stories Joe, Linda and Laura shared in Hutchinson. #140conf is an amazing event, way different then the tech conferences I used to produce. Nothing wrong with those events, but #140conf is about looking for meaning.”
An Experience That Resonates
I think this is what resonated with everyone who was part of the experience. Those people who spoke from their heart and shared their discoveries with the audience connected at a level I have ever experienced at other events.
Leading up to the start of any given #140conf, I now approach it like a TV talk show. While we may be missing a live band, otherwise we have the stage, an in-house audience and a live worldwide viewing audience. The topics covered touch some of the topics that can be seen on past episodes of Oprah. Sometimes we have celebs who are pimping their upcoming movie or TV show, and sometimes it is a book author – but usually it is just regular, everyday people who have their story to share and for the rest of the world to join in the telling of their experience.
Memo To Ontario: Thank you for adopting me… What made #140confONT special for me was that I felt like I was adopted by a community which included the #140confONT team: (Julia Rosien, Lisa McDonald, Trevor Cherewka, Benjamin Bach, Matt Scobel, Tricia Mumby, Rossana Wyatt, Dee Brun Gow, Caitlin Madden, Trevor Cherewka, Diane Morgan, Kevin A. Magee, Benjamin Bach, Matt Scobel, Tricia Mumby and Jason Dykstra) which welcomed with open arms. I didn’t have a chance to feel lonely because there were people there to speak to and talk to and connect with. And then the evening after the event, I realized just about everyone on the team enjoys karaoke and that everyone can also sing. I was and remain in awe of them.
Memo to Hutchinson: Small Town. Big Heart. Deep Soul Throughout The Heart of America. What made #140conf SmallTown special for me was Becky McCray and the amazing curation she did to help bring out the “wow” moments of the conference and the great people from 18 states and 3 countries who came to Hutchinson, Kansas to tell their stories.
I also appreciate the time my Uncle Jerry and Alan Weinkrantz were able to spend with me traveling from Kansas City to Hutchinson and then from Hutchinson to Kansas City. I enjoyed the chance to take in some of the great scenery Kansas is known for. Photos from this trip can be found over at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150796602960511.730953.638880510&l=ee34e50c36&type=1 and https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150803978675511.732138.638880510&l=20e732ca8b&type=1
Videos from both of these conferences are available on the #140conf UStream channel. (see: http://outstanding.beckymccray.com/2011/09/video-guide-to-140-conference-smalltown.html for #140conf SmallTown videos and http://thesunshineisin.blogspot.com/2011/09/140confont-speaker-vids.html for videos from #140confONT.)
I thank everyone who was a part of the experiences, both in person as well as on-line.
Next up for me is #140conf Tel Aviv which is now taking place on November 2nd followed by BrandsConf ’11 taking place on November 9th in NYC. #140conf returns to NYC on June 19/20, 2012.
Thanks for helping me discover the message and for helping me discover my mission.
Thanks for listening and connecting.
I welcome all feedback about #140conf. If you have any ideas or would like to create a #140conf in your own town, please feel free to contact me.
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Tags: 140conf, social media, 140 Characters Conference, twitter, Becky McCray, Jeff Keni Pulver

BrandsConf 2011 (#BrandsConf) will be taking place November 9, 2011 at the 92nd Street Y. This event will be the the largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the “humanization of brands” and the impact the real-time web is having on both branding and on business. The voices shared at #BrandsConf will include people from both North America and Europe. To date about 85% of the expected speakers have been confirmed and the remainder are in the process of being confirmed. More speakers will be announced in the weeks ahead.
If you are thinking about attending #BrandsConf, now would be a great time to secure your seat. With the “early bird” ticket costing only US$ 399 (until Sep 30th), register NOW to guarantee youself access to the event over at: http://Brandsconf.com/register.
Please review our conference schedule over at: http://brandsconf.com/schedule
Some of the “Characters” speaking at #BrandsConf 2011 include:
- Adam Cohen (@dadarocks) – Dad, Parent, Blogger
- Alisa Gould-Simon (@alisagouldsimon) – Director of Marketing & Communications at Pose.com
- Alisa Roadcup (@AmnestyWomenRts) – Women’s Human Rights Coordination Group, Amnesty International
- Amber Harris (@TheNuwanda) – Director, Social Media at @DiscoveryComm
- Andrea Tobin (@marlacielo) – President, Marla Cielo
- Anne Ream (@VoicesandFaces) – Founder, The Voices and Faces Project
- Audrey McClelland (@AudreyMcClellan) – Mommy, Parent, Blogger
- Chris Bartlett (@harveymilk) – A gay community organizer and Radical Faerie from Philly.
- Chris Yura (@SustainU) – Owner and founder, SustainU
- Dan Lewis (@sesamestreet) – Director of New Media Communications @sesamestreet.
- Dan Neely (@dneely40) – CEO, Networked Insights.
- Desiree Fish (@AmericanExpress) – Vice President, American Express
- Diana Plazas (@dianap) – Online Marketing Director, DoubleTree by Hilton
- Ellen Cagnassola (@SweetSoaps) – Founder, Sweet Soaps
- Frank Eliason (@FrankEliason) – SVP of Social, Citi
- Gemma Craven (@gemsie) – SVP Digital Influence, Ogilvy NY
- Gilad Lotan (@gilgul) – VP of Research & Development @socialflow at @betaworks NYC. Data Visualization geek and @globalvoices author
- Ido Aharoni (@israelconsulate) – Consul General of Israel in New York
- Jeff Keni Pulver (@jeffpulver) – founder, #140conf
- Jeff Simmermon (@jeffTWC) – Director of Digital Communication, Time Warner Cable
- Jennifer Severns (@jennerus) – Creative Strategist, Roundarch
- Jessica Miller-Merrell (@blogging4jobs)
- Jill Seiman (@Glamamom) – Mommy, Parent, Blogger
- Jim Joseph (@JimJosephExp) – President, Lippe Taylor Brand Communications and author of The Experience Effect
- Katie Richman (@ESPN_ProdGirl) – Social for ESPN
- Lea Marino (@LvM) – Community Manager, Bizzy
- Mallika Chopra (@mallikachopra) – Author/ Founder and CEO of Intent.com
- Marisa Thalberg (@ExecutiveMoms) – Estee Lauder Companies, SVP Global Digital Marketing
- Mark Bonchek (@MarkBonchek) – Sears Holdings, SVP Communities & Networks
- Mary-Ann Somers (@masomers) – VP Marketing Venturing & Emerging Brands Coca-Cola North America
- Melissa Gonzalez (@LionesqueStyle) – CEO, Lion’esque Media
- Michael Margolis (@getstoried), Storyteller
- Mike Errico (@mikeerrico) – Musician, writer
- Mordechai Lightstone (@Mottel) – Director of Social Media, lubavitch.com
- Morgan Johnston (@MHJohnston) – Director of Communications/Social. jetBlue
- Rohit Bhargava (@rohitbhargava) – Author, Exec at Ogilvy
- Ryan Osborn (@rozzy) – Director of Social Media at @NBCNews.
- Sharlene Sones (@SharleneSones) – Brand Strategist/Storyteller, Brandstoria
- Ted Rubin (@TedRubin)
- Tony Heffernan (@BeeForBattens) – Founder & CEO, BeeForBattens
- Tracie Wagman (@HelpWeveGotKids) – Publisher, Help! … We’ve Got Kids
- Trina Albus (@jewelmint) – VP of Social, Beachmint
Note: Speakers are subject to change without notice.
These “characters” are accurate as of: Sep 20, 2011
To register for #BrandsConf, please visit: http://Brandsconf.com/register.
I would appreciate your help in spreading awareness of the conference to the people who you know who would be interested in attending.
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Tags: Brandsconf, social media, twitter, NYC, Jeff Keni Pulver

During my visits to Tel Aviv I have enjoyed a unique opportunity to meet some incredibly passionate people. During a recent trip I met Michail Kalman and asked him to be a guest blogger and to share his story on how he became the Accidental Entrepreneur.
The Accidental Entrepreneur – How I ended up with the Only Remote I’ll Ever Need!
(by: Michail Kalman)
Surc came about as a result of some fortuitous events in my recent life.
I recently retired and moved to Israel. Life on the beach with books, movies and music beckoned; After 40+ years of working, I was ready.
My retirement lasted a mere three days, as I met Mr. Uzia Galil, the father of Israel’s High Tech industry, who is still going strong at 85 years young. He convinced me that my experience as a healthcare consultant is needed and that I am too young to retire.
This meeting changed my life irrevocably as I got to meet a number of young inventors, engineers and scientists all over Israel. Consequently I got the Start Up Nation bug and become an entrepreneur and investor, something I never contemplated in my wildest dreams
Around this time, my younger daughter Daphna together with Brian, a highly talented computer engineer from the Caribbean started developing iPhone applications. They asked my advice on how to finance such an enterprise; not being familiar with this I consulted an entrepreneur who told me that the ideas are great and given a business plan he would consider making a seed investment. I was surprised but went home and decided to help them put together a business plan.
During this same time I was looking to buy a universal remote control, to replace the many remotes I was using to watch TV or listen to music. What I found cost over $300 and seemed complicated to set up and use.
I was advised to look for an iPhone application that ought to be simple, inexpensive and take advantage of the sophistication of the iPhone. My cousin, Ramy, the engineer, found that there was no such device out there. Challenged, he started tinkering and a week later showed me a wooden contraption with electronic components that when connected to an iPod was able to turn on a TV, change channels and volume from across the room. I immediately realized that there is a potential product here that could be in great demand.
Ramy explained that the circuit needs to be miniaturized, put into some package and the iPhone needs an application to manage all the functions of a remote control, a good project for my daughter, Brian and for a few of my new found friends in Israel. My curiosity and Start Up Nation bug took over! This seemed like a product I could understand and would invest in. A new company, Mashed Pixel, was born.
Little did I know what I was getting into.
Over the subsequent 18 months we embarked on a project that saw the combined talents and efforts of a number of very smart and hardworking young people in the US and Israel under the guidance of the MFI unit at Apple and under the ever worried frown on my face.
The end result is Surc, an Apple Approved, universal learning remote, recently launched commercially and available on our web site and elsewhere on line and in stores.
So much for my retirement! But I would not trade one second of it.
Please watch my story below:

Tags: Tel Aviv, startup, Michail Kalman, Surc, Jeff Keni Pulver