Local Focus: Chris Parandian

Well here is the first installment of the new feature here at East Coast Blogging called "Local Focus". 
I am happy that my first focus is going to be on none other than Chris Parandian, Founder of Tin Can Communications™.  Tin Can is a public affairs and new media focused communications firm based in Washington D.C. We assist companies with their communications strategy in the legislative and regulatory arena. We also collaborate with corporate communications to develop a social media strategy as well as help them navigate the interactive universe.

Chris is a great guy that I met online via Twitter and was lucky enough to meet him in person at the Jeff Pulver Social Media Breakfast.  I look forward to many more meetings with Chris and continuing to grow our relationship.

I asked Chris a few questions about the area and social media and here is what he has to say !

How are you using social media tools for your job / business?

Social technologies and wireless are a perfect marriage. I am a wireless guy and there are so many exciting applications available that it is really hard to keep up. Accordingly, I started mobilediner.com to hear from folks who are passionate about the industry. I wanted to hear their views about products and polices that will have an impact on the success of the industry and potential innovations going forward.

Mobilediner.com provides a place for conversations that were not happening a few years ago and that are critical today. On that note, I have learned so much from the dining community. For instance, Jonny Goldstein has been very helpful teaching us about video-blogging. Using all these different social technologies (such as, twitter, utterz and qik ) have helped me show-off these tools to the corporate executives and opinion leaders (who were not aware of them).

Are you from the DC area? Why did you stay / or move here?

I grew up in Howard County (Maryland) but came to Washington after college because my initial interest was politics. My former boss held a seat on the House Commerce Committee (the Committee that has jurisdiction on telecom and tech matters) and my passion for telecommunications policy developed rather quickly.

How have you found the local area with regards to support and tech adoption?

Social media adoption in DC is growing stronger everyday (with the exception of Capitol Hill). We are seeing many folks in traditional advocacy blogging and many associations have started blogging too. In many instances, the reasons why they are doing it are different.

The 2008 campaigns have been a blessing in this regard. For instance, we are witnessing the success that Obama is having utilizing social technologies for GOTV, events, and fundraising. The Obama campaign is also doing some amazing things in the mobile space and I believe you’ll see mobile becoming a key strategy on its own. Overall, you’ll see more of these tools used in advocacy next cycle and the companies who are building them on the front end will reap the benefits.

What are your thoughts and ideas to help grow and support the local tech community?

Engage the tremendous resources in the Nation’s Capitol. There are tons of social media meet-ups and those are great. However, in many cases, your customers are not there. Most Fortune 500 Companies and Associations have a presence in Washington. Find and reach out to those companies and associations of interest. They may be able to connect you to the right people or events that could help your start-up get some momentum.

On that note, I’m happy to try to help those who are interested in the mobile space and can be reached via email – chris(at)mobilediner.com.

Thanks Chris, and good luck with mobilediner.com and Tin Can Communications™