New Commons Partner - Web 2.0 Consultant

John Speck joins New Commons after more than 15 years working in organizational communications and enterprise technology. The merger of Speck's Real Advertising marketing consultancy with New Commons brings our clients a range of powerful, new capabilities.

As a New Commons Senior Consultant, Speck will focus on brand building, organizational communications and enterprise technology design. His basic approach combines rigorous analysis with creative problem-solving, letting him quickly and accurately identify resistance points in the natural flow of goods, data and communications.

In December 2007, he began presenting his web 2.0 seminar at New Commons and has since given it regularly both in our studio and as a guest speaker for groups like Brown University's John Nicholas Brown Center for the Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage. He also hosts regular drop-in sessions where he coaches the New Commons network on web 2.0 issues.

"Speck," as he prefers to be called, has worked with New Commons clients since 2008, helping them specify web 2.0 software and guiding them through implementation. Clients include Providence College and the RI Division of Statewide Planning. He also helped New Commons develop an internal web and web 2.0 production capability that now supports many of our projects, including Creative Providence and Provincetown Next Economy.

Background Speck began his advertising career in 1993 writing copy at Providence agency Mariani, Hurley & Chandler. From 1995 to 2000 he helped build the legendary pro audio brand EAW  through its trailblazing website and interactive communications. As the original director of marketing at Mediaspace Solutions in 2000, he helped build both a web application and an enterprise system that remain the company's backbone. As principal of Real Advertising, he has helped clients develop brand identities, communicate their uniqueness and engage with markets.

On the Internet, Speck writes under the pseudonym Frymaster. In addition to the New Commons blog , he publishes The Bucket Blog about Pawtucket, RI. He is a frequent contributor to Urban Planet's Rhode Island discussion boards and information oriented blogs like Confused of Calcutta.