:: SFWeekly [10/21/14] :: “Distillations: Embracing the Kitsch at Longitude” by Benjamin Wachs
:: SFWeekly [08/26/14] :: “Will Lie for Punch: Finding Journalism’s Dark Side at Local Edition” by Benjamin Wachs
::
Here are very kind words said about our founder Rusty Blazenhoff by some very kind (and super smart, right?) folks:
Rusty makes things popular on the Internet. An uber-curator, trend spotter she authentically connects content with her audience resulting in site traffic. Highly skilled at identifying, writing, editing and unleashing the NEXT NEW THING – whether that is pop culture, technology or science. Rusty is talented, creative and a pleasure to work with. If you’re considering hiring her, consider no more. Sign on the dotted line. You won’t be sorry you did.
Rusty knows what’s cool.
Not only that, but she’s an amazing writer who can communicate complicated and obscure topics to a mainstream audience. She knows who to talk to and what questions to ask.
Her knowledge of pop culture is unmatched. When I want to know if something is going to be popular, I ask Rusty.
No matter what you’re working on, you can be sure that including Rusty on your team is going to make it better.
—David Wahl, Director of Awesome for Archie McPhee and co-editor of the Geyser of Awesome
Working with Rusty has been a great experience for our team, both professionally and personally. Besides being a really nice person, her editorial focus, style, and efficiency make her one of those rare content creators/curators that knows how to build an enthusiastic audience of great size. When I think of online writers and bloggers who are at the top of their game, Rusty is one of a handful that really know what they’re doing.
—Steve Broback, Host of Dent the Future and the Tweet House events at CES & SXSW
The first time Rusty sat down in my chair I knew I liked her from the start. As a hairstylist I get to talk to a lot of people all day long, when Rusty comes in I know I’m going to have fun with this beautiful red head for the next couple of hours.
She’s always got an exciting story to tell or some crazy new product she’s just discovered (then months later I’ll read about it in a magazine!) How she stays ahead of the trends I’ll never know…
She’s super sweet & a fantastic mother. Her daughter is one of the coolest kids I know & they’re always doing rad stuff together.
Rusty is one of those people that when it’s time for her to go I never want her to leave.—Kellie Williams, Rusty’s super-awesome hairstylist at Spank Salon
There’s not much Rusty can’t make happen. She is a vivacious, hyper-intelligent work machine and a born connector — she knows everybody and how they know everybody else, and what they all can do. She also has a singular knack for understanding and channeling pop culture, and an aesthetic that is just as much at home on the verandah of a mansion house as in a secret bar overlooking Times Square that only 25 people know about in the world. I would not hesitate to recommend Rusty for absolutely any task, excepting one: the task of sufficiently selling herself, because her modesty runs as deep as any other attribute I’ve mentioned.
—Dan Shick, “Just this guy, you know?”
I’ve known and worked with Rusty for the better part of 20 years. Not only is she bright, hard-working, creative, and energetic, but she embodies qualities of character that are all too rare in today’s business world. She’s ethical, compassionate, and extraordinarily reliable – the kind of person who says what she means, does what she says, and keeps her promises.
What CAN I say?
Rusty is a one-woman powerhouse of social creation, period!
Over the 7 years I’ve worked with her, there’s never been a time that I couldn’t always look to her for advice and mentoring regarding my own social media deficiencies.
And that’s worth it’s weight in whatever standard of value you use.–Tex Allen of WhyTheNose?
Rusty is a firestorm of creativity who is faster than a speeding Internet trend, more powerful than an animated cat GIF and able to leap tall blog posts in a single bound.
She has a finger securely on the pulse of the internet with a great sense of adventure to pursue new and interesting adventures. She’s also just super cool as a person with an encyclopedic knowledge of the esoteric that matches her equally thorough grasp of popular culture and an easy going and immediately approachable personality to boot!
Rusty has an inspiring and unerring sense of style. She’s an amazing photographer, a rockin’ mama, and super creative.
I was so intimidated when I first met her on the playa… she packs a mean lunch, I tell you. I am pleased and honored to be her friend.
—Blair Miller
Over nearly two decades, Rusty has impressed me with her competence in multiple creative contexts. Her collaborative spirit, attention to detail, and personalized service bring consistent results, because she puts a lot of heart into her work. She seamlessly utilizes strong communication, organization and service skills, that meld with her considerable aesthetic talents, to ably meet or exceed the needs of her clients. I appreciate her clarity of vision, her energetic ambition, and her fearless engagement in the pursuit of deep knowledge.
—Vicky de Monterey Richoux, lover of broccoli
