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Archive for January, 2013

Klout and ESPN The Magazine Partner to Measure Sports Influence

Monday, January 28th, 2013


It’s no secret that some of the most passionate conversations in social media revolve around sports. Our favorite teams and athletes spark them every day because they work hard, compete, and, in their best moments, win while pushing all the limits. Here at Klout, we’re just as passionate about helping everyone understand and be recognized for their influence.

Today we’re excited to announce an editorial partnership with ESPN The Magazine that brings together the world’s best sports writing and Klout’s insights into social media influence.

Our shared goal is to spotlight the growing impact of social media in the world of sports, and to focus on the stories of the athletes who are making their voices heard.

ESPN is the preeminent sports media brand, and has a rich history of innovating both the form and delivery of sports content. ESPN The Magazine is part of this tradition and has grown from launch in 1998 to reach over two million subscribers, while pushing the industry forward with groundbreaking insights and analysis.

The editorial partnership between Klout and ESPN The Magazine includes:

  • Profiles in ESPN The Magazine. Check out the first piece from the current print issue, reported by Sam Alipour, which takes a closer look at L.A. Clipper sixth man Jamal Crawford’s strong Klout Score and outsized social media impact.
  • Analysis on ESPN.com’s Playbook. Klout provided an in-depth influence analysis of Ray Lewis, the star linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, and Katie Linendoll wrote this look at Lewis’ social prowess.
  • Co-developed Klout Pulse lists. We’ve worked with the editors at ESPN The Magazine to jointly develop interesting top influencer lists of athletes and teams, including the most influential NBA stars and Super Bowl players. Check them out here.

Here’s what Chad Millman, Editor in Chief, ESPN The Magazine, has to say: “Our unique collaboration with Klout allows us to serve our sports fans more extensively. This partnership utilizes the latest innovations in social media, identifying new analysis, content, and information within the scope of sports industry influencers.”

Look for more collaborations to come in the months ahead. We’re thrilled to be working with ESPN The Magazine to explore the intersection of sports, social media and influence.

Posted in announcements | 6 Comments »

Moving Past Brogramming

Friday, January 25th, 2013


It’s true. In spring 2010, a couple of guys from Klout went to Stanford and posted a sign inviting recruits to “Bro Down and Crush Code“. Almost three years later, this poster continues to show up as an example for articles about the sexist undertones of some startup engineering culture.

That was then
At the time, Klout was small and hungry. We were 12 men and 3 women: my co-founder, some engineers, a salesperson, a marketing manager, and myself. The idea that everyone has influence was (and is) our passion. And we were desperate for more people, so we all recruited.

Our intention was never to dismiss or alienate female engineers. The poster was meant to be seen in the context of meeting a Klout team member who clearly wasn’t a “Bro” at that recruiting event. “Bro Down and Crush Code” was a misguided attempt to show everyone that we were down-to-earth, funny and relatable people.

Looking back, it’s clear how uninviting and offensive that language is to many people, not just women. It’s not something we’re proud of. We are sorry about the message that was conveyed then. We don’t support or condone sexism at Klout, and our culture today has matured from what it was then.

This is now
We’ve come a long way since that spring. Today, we are over 65 Kloutlaws, nearly 30% percent of whom are women, all of whom are enthusiastic contributors to the culture we are building together. We reach out to the community by regularly hosting tech meetups, including women-focused groups like Bay Area Girl Geek Dinners, PyLadies and Women Who Code.

Our values are inclusive of everyone on our team:

  • Be Bold.
  • Punch Mediocrity in the Face.
  • Deliver Value with Integrity.
  • Get There Faster.
  • Kloutlaws Ride Together.

These values are our code, not a “bro’s” code. They are what we cultivate here at Klout and embody what we look for in new team members. We have made some mistakes on the way to now, but we’ve learned from them. And we will continue to work hard to provide an environment that is welcoming to everyone.

Posted in other | 18 Comments »

Klout for Good: Fight Rare Cancers with Cycle for Survival

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013


Klout believes everyone has influence, and influence comes with responsibility. Klout for Good aims to help you leverage your influence to make the world a better place for everyone.

This month’s Klout For Good charity partner hits close to home for many of us at Klout. So close that Dave Linn, founder of Cycle for Survival, personally came to the Klout office to ask for our help. Now, we are excited to join the battle with Cycle for Survival to beat rare cancers.

So, what is Cycle for Survival? It’s the national, high-energy, indoor team cycling event that funds rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Together with its founding partner, Equinox, Cycle for Survival raises money to fight rare cancers by funding critical research. With over $21 million raised since 2007, Cycle for Survival makes a tangible and significant impact in the fight against rare cancers – 100% of all funds raised go directly to the most promising research at MSKCC within six months of each event.

Fifty percent of all people diagnosed with cancer have a rare form of the disease – including well-known cancers like leukemia, all pediatric cancers, and sarcoma – and those researching cures and treatments for those cancers need funding to make progress possible. To date, Cycle for Survival has funded 53 clinical trials and research studies, paving the way for better, more effective treatment options for those fighting rare cancers. But there is more work to be done.

Today, Cycle for Survival is a juggernaut. This year’s events are taking place at 12 Equinox clubs across the country. Cycle for Survival asked us to help, and now we are asking you.

Beyond our fundraising efforts, Klout employees will compete in the San Francisco Cycle for Survival event on February 2. We are proud to ride in the name of those whom cancer has taken from us.

Most of us know a friend or family member battling cancer and they need our help. Learn how your influence and donations can help combat rare forms of cancer on our Klout For Good site.

Posted in Klout for good | No Comments »

Klout for Good: Helping Haitians Change Haiti through Education

Thursday, January 10th, 2013


Klout believes everyone has influence, and influence comes with responsibility. Klout for Good aims to help you leverage your influence to make the world a better place for everyone.

January 12 marks the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake that left Haiti in tatters. In the time since, the island nation has regrouped and rebuilt. Now, they are ready to move from relief to lasting development, and education is the key. Haiti Partners wants to help the country gain access to education, and they are asking for the Klout community’s help.

Here’s how we can help get quality education resources to Haiti: We can donate our influence by liking and following Haiti Partners, and then sharing this cause throughout our social networks. Secondly, we can volunteer our time and talents in a variety of ways that will provide much needed aid to the Haitian people. And finally, we can donate $15 to Haiti Partners, which will put a Haitian child through two weeks of school. We all know education is paramount to helping children achieve their dreams, and we can easily help make a few dreams come true.

To learn more, visit our Klout For Good site and read up on Haiti Partners.

Posted in Klout for good | No Comments »

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