by Jessica Northey

I found out yesterday that I am finalist in the Social Media Arizona Awards aka the SMAZZIES! Part of the Social Media Arizona (SMAZ) conference, the SMAZZIES celebrate new and exciting things going on around Arizona in the online world.

This next part is personal so close your eyes if you don’t want to hear this but I actually cried when I found out. I had no idea I had even been nominated, let alone a finalist.

Building this business [Finger Candy Media] the past few years has been the most challenging and rewarding experience I have ever had. Constantly inventing a whole new wheel, trusting my instincts, applying traditional media purposes to new media potential has all been a labor of love…it has also been such an amazing journey! I am fortunate to have the opportunity to assist Celebrities, Musicians, Brands and Businesses as they use Social Media strategically to accomplish productivity goals. Anyone who has ever met me will tell you that I am passionate about helping others reach for their dreams and am proud to be a ‘GO-Giver’! Creativity is my calling and I am blessed to do what I love, and love what I do!
Apparently, I was nominated by someone who thinks I am doing something right (thanks to whoever you are – I owe you a beer or if you knew my family, maybe a little Moonshine, just saying.)

To be recognized like this is beyond words! I am so honored and humbled to be in such great company with the other nominees, and I would like to thank the Academy, oh wait wrong awards (a girl can dream! ;)

The SMAZ conference is September 9th at the MADCAP Theaters in Tempe. The final voting is happening via a panel of independent judges, and winners will be announced that night.

You can learn more about SMAZ at http://socialmediaaz.org and more about the SMAZZIES at http://smazzies.com.

Special thanks to the SMAZZIES Team- Jennifer Maggiore, Jeff Moriarty and Fred Von Graf…you all ROCK!

Here is the list of Finalists:

Trailblazer – Out there doing cutting edge things, changing the way people work or think in the social media space

  • Kevin Gawthrope
  • Jessica Northey
  • Bulbstorm
  • Barbara Daniels

Must Follow – The blog, twitter, or online presence you can’t get enough of ( I seriously think this category is missing CiaoBella50.com)

  • Arizona Highway Patrol Association
  • CenPho.com
  • WeBuildYourSocialMedia
  • Museum Association of Arizona

Business That Gets It – Non-industry company (not a social media/marketing entity) who demonstrates creative and proficient use of social media

  • The Farm at South Mountain
  • Eric Neitzel
  • Lumension
  • KOLD News 13
  • Liberty Market
  • Mesa Historical Museum

Most Social Use Of Social Media – Best/most innovative use of technology to connect to people in person

  • The Heard Museum
  • Rustler’s Rooste
  • Katie Fox
  • Liberty Market


Up and Coming – Most notable freelance individual or agency that is notably improving its offering

  • Cesar Gamez
  • Blue Sky Interactive Group, LLC
  • Ashley Oakes
  • Villageous LLC

Homegrown Can Of Awesome – Most interesting / promising start up business, technology or tool from right here in AZ

  • Phoenix Zoo
  • Twestival Phoenix
  • Lily Wang & Braden Andreas
  • Eric Neitzel
  • Bulbstorm
  • Michael Tucker