FG SQUARED announced today the creation of a social advisory panel of leading interactive marketing and technology figures.

This Social Web Advisory Panel (SWAP) forms a dynamic industry link, and will help guide members' and constituents' efforts in advancing research, innovation, and thought leadership into emerging global interactive marketing trends and practices.

"The ability that this panel is going to have in crystallizing a collective understanding of the dominant needs of global interactive marketing and commerce is absolutely critical to helping organizations navigate the future," says Steve Golab, FG SQUARED President and CEO. "The SWAP also helps FG SQUARED ensure it is operating with the tools and processes that best enable our clients toward enhanced profitability."

Comprised of recognized leaders in interactive technology, marketing and beyond, the advisory panel will focus on topics including social media, Social Capital and interactive business forecasting and trends.

The members of the panel are:

• Cynthia Baker - President, Accolades PR
• Mike Chapman - Public Affairs Strategist, Every Dot Connects
• Jon Lebkowsky - Principal, Social Web Strategies
• Dave Evans - Digital Voodoo
• Ynema Mangum - Product Line Manager, Sun Microsystems
• John Curtis - President and CEO, Quotient Solutions, Inc.
• Wade Allen - President and CEO, Cendea
• Jason Fellman - Consultant and FG SQUARED Co-founder
• Clay Spinuzzi - Associate Professor of Rhetoric at The University of Texas at Austin

"Many businesses are anxious to participate in social media and social commerce but need to find meaningful ways to measure the impact," said Mike Chapman, Social Media Strategist. "FG Squared is pioneering ways to show the real benefits and value of social networks."

Golab indicates that the SWAP will center its Fall 2008 agenda on turning out 2-3 white papers (in 2009) that will cover industry-essential topics that are mutually relevant to members and member institutions.

SWAP members will also contribute to FG SQUARED's social media weblog, The Squared Root. In addition, the panel will help formulate the next Interactive Austin conference scheduled for March, 2009.

"This group was a natural extension of the many informal exchanges I've enjoyed over the years with these highly regarded colleagues," Golab adds. "The consultation that this Social Web Advisory Panel is going to undertake will enable our industry to optimize panel members' insight and experience to the fullest."