David Nicol Williams

Current

• CEO and Co-Founder at BLiNQ Media LLC
• Partner at Shotput Ventures LLC
• Founder and Managing Partner at Nicol Capital LLC

• Board of Directors and Investor at Kudzu Interactive
• Advisory Board of Directors at RTM&J Real Truth Marketing & Joy
• Board of Directors and Investor at RH Brands LLC
• Strategic Advisor and Investor at Opera Nightclub and Special Events Facility, Atlanta Georgia
• Co-Founder at 360i LLC
• Board of Directors and Owner at Agents and Corporations, Inc.

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Past

• Strategic Advisor at Last Minute Tee Times
• Strategic Advisor at Esgut
• Internet Strategy Consultant at IBM Global Services

• Senior Accountant, CPA at PriceWaterhouse LLP

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1 more...

Education

• Emory University - Goizueta Business School
• Washington and Lee University

Recommended

12 people have recommended David Nicol

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Marketing and Advertising

David Nicol Williams’s Summary

Dave Williams, recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts in online media and search engine marketing, founded BLiNQ Media in early 2008. The company is a social media advertising firm that maximizes advertiser performance by targeting and optimizing advertising campaigns based on relevant consumer profile data.

Prior to founding BLiNQ Media, Williams was co-founder and chief strategist for 360i, one of the country’s leading search marketing firms. The company was recognized by Advertising Age as one of the “Hottest Digital Agencies,” honored by Google as its #1 US partner with its Marketing Machine Award, and by OMMA as the 2007 Search Agency of the Year. Williams led 360i from its inception in 1998 to its sale in 2005. From 2005 to 2007, he assisted with the strategic integration of the business and ongoing sales and marketing strategy. Currently, he serves as an investor and strategic advisor to the business.

Williams has served in executive roles on several boards of directors, including those of the Search Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) and the Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association (AiMA). He has also served on the advisory boards for the Yahoo and MSN Search Councils. A distinguished speaker and recognized industry expert, Williams is a popular presenter at trade events and educational institutions.

Prior to co-founding 360i, Williams was an internet strategy consultant with IBM Global Services. He began his career as a CPA with Price Waterhouse. Williams earned his undergraduate degree in business administration and accounting from Washington and Lee University and an MBA from Emory’s Goizueta Business School.

David Nicol Williams’s Specialties:

Business Advisory Consulting, Entrepreneurial Achievement, Complete Search Engine Marketing Expertise - Strategy, Services, and Technology; Online Marketing Strategies with a Retail Focus; Online Media Planning and Buying; Industry Board and Committee Participation; Recognized Industry Expert.

David Nicol Williams’s Experience

• CEO and Co-Founder

  BLiNQ Media LLC

  (Marketing and Advertising industry)

  June 2008 — Present (1 year 6 months)

  BLiNQ Media is a social media advertising company that maximizes advertiser performance across social media websites, primarily Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn, by targeting and optimizing advertising campaigns based on relevant consumer profile data.
  
  We differentiate ourselves in the market based on our data focused approach led by a seasoned team of interactive marketers and Ph.D.’s who specialize in making use of large amounts of consumer data for better targeting and optimization.
  
  We simplify the media buying process by offering a single solution for all of your social media advertising needs. We provide one single point of contact to plan, optimize, and report across all social media outlets with only one insertion order and one billing point of contact.

• Partner

  Shotput Ventures LLC

  (Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)

  June 2008 — Present (1 year 6 months)

  Shotput Ventures, a technology startup accelerator fund, will launch a three-month program during the summer of 2009 to give entrepreneurs a shot at converting passion into profit.
  
  The group will invest up to $250,000 in eight to 10 potential companies. The deals will be small -- $5,000 per team and $5,000 per founder -- and focused on what the nine partners know well: capital-light, Web companies.
  
  The concept is to help people with ideas, who might not have access to a small amount of money needed to get the idea off the ground.

• Founder and Managing Partner

  Nicol Capital LLC

  (Privately Held; Myself Only; Venture Capital & Private Equity industry)

  May 2008 — Present (1 year 7 months)

  Entrepreneurs often know everything about their businesses — except how to accelerate growth online. At Nicol Capital, we help early stage companies thrive.
  
  By providing investment, advisory and incubator offerings, we give Atlanta-based entrepreneurs the right combination of financial resources, business guidance, and expert resources to leverage their assets using internet marketing technologies. We help companies take advantage of all the web has to offer, turning potential into success.

• Board of Directors and Investor

  Kudzu Interactive

  (Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Computer Software industry)

  May 2008 — Present (1 year 7 months)

  Kudzu Interactive developed the proprietary web-based remote ordering platform that has become the restaurant industry’s de-facto standard for POS integrated online ordering, text messaging and call center remote ordering applications. Today Kudzu Interactive has activated more restaurant sites into more POS platforms then all of our competitors combined serving over 35,000 restaurant sites from major chains such as Outback, Subway, California Pizza Kitchen, Baja Fresh and others.
  
  With the nation’s largest proprietary remote ordering platform in place, the company launched the nation’s largest restaurant search and ordering site Snapfinger.com. Snapfinger.com offers both convenience and variety for consumers, professionals and businesses wanting to order take-out, delivery and catering from their favorite restaurants.

• Advisory Board of Directors

  RTM&J Real Truth Marketing & Joy

  (Privately Held; Management Consulting industry)

  May 2008 — Present (1 year 7 months)

  Founded in 2001, RTM&J is a strategic marketing firm for companies that strive to be their best. For leaders who have major decisions to make, or actions to take, and need the help of intelligent, strategic, creative, and analytical consultants who leave their egos at the door.
  
  RTM&J’s joy is your success: building your brand and business, enhancing your career, and helping you enjoy your life. We know that today’s marketers are faced with immense challenges. Our holistic approach to strategic marketing consulting helps you overcome them. Because we care about your business and also about you.
  
  Our clients include The Home Depot, Google, IBM, The Coca-Cola Company, Target Stores, SC Johnson, HC Brill, Tyson Foods, Russell Corporation, Equifax, Arby's, HSN, and more.
  
  RTM&J's founder and owner, Rhonda Harper, is a visionary change-making leader with 20 years of marketing experience. She has led some of the world’s biggest and best brands. With experience in retail, consumer package goods, and apparel, Rhonda has been instrumental in driving brand innovation and marketing performance, developing more effective brand and marketing organizations, and creating powerful brand portfolios.

• Board of Directors and Investor

  RH Brands LLC

  (Marketing and Advertising industry)

  May 2007 — Present (2 years 7 months)

  RH Brands, LLC (www.rhbrands.com) is the holding company of a number of interactive, entertaining and unique ventures that include but are not limited to: "The Rejection Hotline®", "It Could Always Suck More", "ScreenNumber.com", and "Get Over it Day™".The Company's network of sites, newsletters, and phone lines will attract over 100 million visitors, callers and mobile fans in 2008. Since 2001, RH Brands properties have entertained large audiences (mostly between the ages of 16-25) and most have been compelled to spread the word to their friends. In aggregate these properties create fertile grounds for advertising to and influencing a coveted young consumer audience. The ability to advertise to this audience (particularly using audio-based and mobile ads) is the core company offering.

• Strategic Advisor and Investor

  Opera Nightclub and Special Events Facility, Atlanta Georgia

  (Entertainment industry)

  May 2003 — Present (6 years 7 months)

  Opera Atlanta is a 30,000+ square foot 1920s era opera theatre and currently a premier nightclub and special events facility in Atlanta Georgia. In 2008 it was named the #1 Dance Club in Atlanta by AOL, Citysearch, and AccessAtlanta. Major celebrities such as Janet Jackson, Evander Holyfield, P-Diddy, Corey Feldman, Usher, Tommy Lee, Prince, and others have frequented the facility. Also, the facility is used for special events and has hosted events for the NBA, Microsoft, Coca Cola, Jane Fonda, Andersen Consulting, and other major events. Some of the major DJs that have appeared are Sasha, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten, and others. For more information on upcoming events, photos, or videos, please visit www.operaatlanta.com or recent videos at www.youtube.com/operaatlanta.

• Co-Founder

  360i LLC

  (Privately Held; Marketing and Advertising industry)

  January 1998 — Present (11 years 11 months)

  360i is an independent metrics-driven agency that serves as strategic digital advisors to large brand marketers. Named one of AdAge’s Hottest Independent Digital Agencies Around and one of the top Search agencies, 360i’s full-service high-touch approach enables marketers to enhance their brands and engage customers through innovative yet highly measurable digital marketing.
  
  360i identifies key trends across digital marketing, and then builds circles of excellence within the agency to augment its existing digital marketing offerings. Examples include paid search and search engine optimization, behavioral and social media.
  
  Through a very integrated approach, 360i brings these circles of excellence together along with cohesive digital media strategy, execution and measurement to ensure marketers exceed their online goals.

• Board of Directors and Owner

  Agents and Corporations, Inc.

  (Legal Services industry)

  March 1997 — Present (12 years 9 months)

  Agents and Corporations, Inc. has been a family owned and operated business since 1974. For over 30 years, entrepreneurs have trusted us to form their Corporations and LLC's. With the advent of the internet and a second generation of management, Agents and Corporations, Inc. became one of the first online incorporation services, under the name Incnow.com, in 1997. Since then, the company has formed and acted as Registered Agent to tens of thousands of Corporations and LLC's.

• Strategic Advisor

  Last Minute Tee Times

  (Internet industry)

  October 2006 — October 2008 (2 years 1 month)

  Strategic Advisor to LastMinuteGolfer (LMTT) which was sold to Comcast Interactive in October 2008.
  
  In the Beginning.....LastMinuteGolfer got its start in Atlanta, GA in 1998 (www.lmtt.com). It concentrated on providing Atlanta visitors and locals with the most accurate and current information on Atlanta's best golf courses, and it booked "last minute" tee times for visitors to the Atlanta area. In late 1999, it introduced an online interface to allow golfers to book tee times online... providing access to tee times in Atlanta 24/7/365. It now serve hundreds of thousands of golfers in dozens of cities. In July of 2007 The US Patent and TradeMark office awarded LastMinuteGolfer a Patent covering the most convenient interface to show tee times to golfers. In August of 2007, it released a Facebook Application for golfers- Golf Buds which has over 100,000 active users.

• Strategic Advisor

  Esgut

  (Internet industry)

  September 2007 — May 2008 (9 months)

  Strategic Advisor to Esgut which was founded in June 2007 and then sold to Social Gaming Network (SGN) in April 2008.
  
  Esgut is a company that specializes in the development of proprietary viral applications for Social Networks. Several of their most successful applications include Entourage, Superlatives, Live it Up!, Double Dare, and others. The company is currently ranked a top 5 application company by Appaholic.com and has over 20 million application downloads on Facebook. The company makes money through advertisements on its social network from other application and Fortune 500 companies. The company current delivers over 100 million advertising impressions monthly.

• Internet Strategy Consultant

  IBM Global Services

  (Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; IBM; Information Technology and Services industry)

  July 1997 — September 1998 (1 year 3 months)

• Senior Accountant, CPA

  PriceWaterhouse LLP

  (Partnership; 10,001 or more employees; Accounting industry)

  September 1993 — May 1996 (2 years 9 months)

David Nicol Williams’s Education

• Emory University - Goizueta Business School

  MBA , Marketing and Internet Commerce , 1996 — 1997

• Washington and Lee University

  BS , Business Administration and Accounting , 1989 — 1993

Additional Information

David Nicol Williams’s Interests:

Adventure Travel; Kick Boxing; Competitive Tennis; Social Events; US-Based Travel; Live Concerts; Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments - US Open, French Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon; Tennis Channel; UFC; Professional Boxing; Environmental Interests

David Nicol Williams’s Groups:

Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) Board of Directors Vice President, Goizueta '97 MBA Class Representative, Emory Entrepreneurship Organization Committee, Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association (AiMA) Executive Advisory Board, Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), Direct Marketers Association (DMA), Emory Mentor Program, Emory Marketing Case Competition Judge, Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA), United States Tennis Association (USTA); Founding Member Georgia Aquarium

•    LinkedSEO
•    American Red Cross
•    Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) - OFFICIAL GROUP FOR THE ORGANIZATION
•    Goizueta Business School at Emory University
•    Online Marketing Experts
•    Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo
•    Online Advertising Professionals
•    Search Marketing Salon
•    Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association
•    AMA Atlanta
•    Washington and Lee University Alumni
•    ATDC
•    Atlanta Sales Professionals
•    Goizueta Business School Alumni Entrepreneur Network
•    BLiNQ Media: Social Media Advertising Company
•    Mansell Group - Technology Enabled Marketing
•    Shotput Ventures
•    SEMPO Atlanta Chapter
•    Interactive Marketing Alliance

David Nicol Williams’s Honors:

Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association - Marketer of the Year in 2000, Lifetime membership award 2003, and Outstanding Contribution Recognition and Award 2005; Elected Vice President to the SEMPO Board of Directors 2007 and Elected Board Member Since 2005; Google Certified Advertising Professional, Atlanta Lawn and Tennis Association AA City Doubles Champion 2001

Select Speaking Engagements: Search Engine Strategies, Yahoo's Search Council, Shop.org, Direct Marketers Association (DMA), EyeForTravel, AD:TECH, American Marketing Association (AMA), American Financial Services Association (AFSA), Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association (AiMA), Boston Interactive Marketing Association (BiMA), Internet Retailer, Fancy Food Show, eTail, WebGuild, RBC Capital Markets Technology Conference, Media Post's SearchInsider Summit, Emory’s Goizueta Business School, Georgia Tech University, Vanderbilt University, and Washington and Lee University.

David Nicol Williams’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• consulting offers
• new ventures
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch