Mark anderson
Chief Executive Officer
Strategic News Service® LLC (SNS)
Mark Anderson is the CEO of SNS, the first subscription-based newsletter on the Internet and read by industry
leaders and investors in computing and communications worldwide. He is also founding chair of the Future in
Review® Conference, and founding CEO of SNS Project Inkwell, the first global consortium to address technology
design changes for one-to-one computing in classrooms. Mr. Anderson also founded two software companies, a hedge
fund, and the Washington Software Alliance Investors’ Forum, a software investment conference. Best known for his
accurate forecasts of important technology market shifts, Mr. Anderson correctly predicted the 2007 global liquidity
crisis, $100 per barrel oil, Steve Jobs’ return to Apple, the advent of a series of major PC market shifts and re-designs,
and a decade of yen/dollar ratios. A member of the Merrill Lynch TechBrains advisory board, Mr. Anderson is often
retained by CEOs of leading technology firms, as well as political leaders, to provide strategic advice.
andrew anker
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
Six Apart
Andrew Anker has served for more than 20 years in a variety of roles, including company founder, venture investor,
investment banker, and programmer. In 2004, he joined Six Apart, a leading social media software and services
company providing a range of blog platforms (Movable Type, TypePad, and Vox) and services (site building,
monetization, and syndication). At Six Apart, Mr. Anker is responsible for deals, business development, partnerships,
and mergers and acquisitions. In 1994, he co-founded and was CEO of Wired Digital, which he built with such
properties as HotBot, Wired News, and Hot Wired into one of the 20 largest networks of websites. Wired Digital
was known for pioneering the first advertising banner on the web. After leaving Wired, Mr. Anker became a general
partner at August Capital, where he invested in such consumer Internet companies as Tickle (purchased by Monster)
and Listen.com (creator of Rhapsody, now owned by Real Networks).
Brian ascher
General Partner
Venrock
Brian Ascher joined Venrock in 1998 as a Kauffman fellow after holding marketing and product marketing positions
at Intuit, Inc. He was responsible for launching several versions of the market-leading software product, Quicken, and
the Quicken.com website. The job led Mr. Ascher to a passion for the user experience, one that he continually applies
to consumer ventures. He also brings strategic consulting knowledge gained at the Monitor Group and investment
banking experience from Robertson, Stephens & Co. to his portfolio companies.
neil ashe
Chief Executive Officer
CNET Networks, Inc.
Neil Ashe joined CNET Networks in 2002 as senior vice president, corporate strategy and development. He was
named executive vice president in 2005, and his responsibilities expanded to include day-to-day management of the
Community and Lifestyle, Business, Channel, and International divisions. Mr. Ashe has led the company’s content
expansion strategy, including numerous acquisitions to develop its existing products and expand into categories that
attract new audience and customer segments. During his tenure, the company has acquired MP3.com, Webshots,
Chowhound, Urban Baby, and China-based ZOL, PC Home, and X-Car. Before joining CNET Networks, Mr. Ashe
founded and served as CEO of several startup companies in the Internet, B2B, electronic marketplaces, and financial
services industries. From 1996 through 1999, he was managing director of Crest Communications Holdings LLC, a
private equity-investment firm. From 1990 through 1994, he held positions in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group of
Smith Barney, Inc.
