dot429
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Launched in January of 2010, dot429 was created with a simple vision in mind – to create a way for gay men and women to network and help each other build successful careers and lives. “Our aim with dot429 is to give LGBT people a better way to network with each other,” said CEO Richard Klein. “Many LGBT people have faced discrimination in the workplace and in their lives. We want to counteract that by helping give each other a bit of an advantage.”
dot429 is designed to make being gay an advantage in the professional world, by ushering in the next generation of professional networking, and providing a unique on and offline platform for the LGBT community to connect and expand their existing networks. “We want dot429 to be both a great place to connect and also a place that stimulates the mind and creates conversation,” explained Chief Creative Officer Sabrina Riddle.
dot429.com will create an elegantly designed online community featuring member profiles, blogs written by industry leaders, a listing of exclusive networking events, mentoring opportunities, and other ways to connect. dot429’s live signature events will connect people who will have professional goals in common – including a monthly networking brunch and a series of intimate dinners targeted at specific interests and professions. At first these events will take place in the top regions for LGBT people – New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago – but events will quickly spread to regions nationally.
“We started with 500 founding members who are leaders in their fields and have now expanded to over 4,000 members even before we’ve launched,” said Klein. “Members include luminaries such as fashion designer John Bartlett, celebrity chef Elizabeth Falkner, CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality and Business Author Chip Conley, and civil rights activist Kate Kendell. We have leaders in every field of business, design, health, law, politics, entertainment, and leisure.”
The site will be free and open to all members and supporters of the LGBT community. Members will have a profile, ability to connect to people they know, access to blogs and mentoring, and invites to mixers and parties. In addition there will be a premium membership which allows greater access, entry to events, and additional options for a quarterly fee.
Current Press Opportunities
(Suitable for business press, philanthropy press, event/social press, LGBT press)
Launched in January of 2010, dot429 was created with a simple vision in mind – to create a way for gay men and women to network and help each other build successful careers and lives. dot429 connects the LGBT community online and in person – making each of us a part of something powerful. dot429 helps LGBT people network professionally and socially with peers in their home city and across the world – helping each of us succeed in our careers and enrich our lives.
To celebrate its January launch, dot429 hosted its inaugural launch party at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on January 10th. Proceeds from the event benefited GLAAD, and guests enjoyed brunch, bloody marys, and conversation to rival the spectacular view of Yerba Buena’s artful gardens. Guests were treated to a complimentary guided tour of the art on display with YBCA Visual arts Curator Betti-Sue Hertz, and cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs Jennifer Biesty from Scala’s bistro and Jamie Lauren from Absinthe – both of whom were recently featured as contestants on Bravo Television’s Top Chef.
In New York, dot429 founders celebrated on January 14th with a party at the Penthouse of the Rivington Hotel. This event benefited Bailey House, an organization that provides services to victims of HIV/AIDS in New York. Over 250 well-connected guests attended. The evening featured music by DJ Farika and drinks by Absolut.
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+ Richard Klein (Cofounder and CEO)
Founder and publisher of Surface magazine, Richard is a successful entrepreneur and a voice in the world of design. Richard started his career in retail design in New York and then moved west, where he started Surface in 1994. Richard is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
+ Bill Stewart (Chief Marketing Officer)
A veteran marketer, Bill has led marketing teams for fortune 500 companies and for successful start-ups. Most recently Bill wrote the turn-around plan for Kmart, bringing back the blue light and helping to build the momentum to a return to growth. He has also led marketing organizations at Levi-Strauss, Coca-Cola, Ashford.com, and askRed.com. Bill holds a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
+ Sabrina Riddle (Chief Creative Officer)
Sabrina has over 15 years experience in successfully growing luxury hospitality and consumer-based businesses ranging from food and travel, fashion and design, entertainment and events to social media and emerging technologies. She is currently the owner of Orson, an exclusive San Francisco restaurant, and she is also Creative Director and Founder of Bind, a San Francisco fashion design house. She has held positions as Chief Marketing, Media and Sales Officer and attorney. Sabrina has spoken on numerous panels across the country about the importance of social mission in building emotive brands.
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Contact Information
Cause+Effect
510.922.9999 [main]
866.843.6697 [fax]
dot429@cause-pr.com
