AGBeat’s top 50 industry influencers

Amy Vernon

[dropcap style=”style1″]A[/dropcap]my Vernon specializes in viral content, grammar, and bacon – true story. Vernon is a former journalist and has a wicked sense of humor, but more importantly, she made the transition to new media where she has become a well respected conference speaker (you’ve seen her at SXSWi, SMX, ROFLCon, and others).

She operates the only bacon news aggregator online, and is a wicked writer, editor, a highly sought after social media strategist, and even web design. Vernon is well known in tech circles, and is a mentor at Women Innovate Mobile, is the NYC Chapter of Girls in Tech’s Board President, an Advisor at Bella Minds, and is involved at NY Tech Women, Women 2.0, NY Tech Meetup Leadership Circle. In other words, she gives back a lot of her time advising the next generation of startups.

Ann Handley

[dropcap style=”style1″]H[/dropcap]ands down the content marketing queen of modern times, Ann Handley is a veteran of creating and managing digital content to build relationships for organizations and individuals. She is co-author of the best-selling Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business (Wiley). But to be honest, she has influenced almost all of the influencers on this and any list as the Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs, where she has been since 2002. Let that sink in.

Ann Tran

[dropcap style=”style1″]S[/dropcap]ocial media consultant, travel and tech writer, Ann Tran has shown up on lists before due to her strong influence in the social media community.

Now, we’ve chosen to include her in our list of industry influencers because she’s so much more than just Twitter – just look at her blog and you’ll see her deep roots in the art community, her love of nature, affinity for wine, travel, and even photography.

Following @AnnTran_ on Twitter will give you a daily dose of inspiration on a variety of topics that will broaden your horizons.

Anne Weiskopf

[dropcap style=”style1″]S[/dropcap]pecializing in content creation, social media strategy, business development, publishing and media, Ann Weiskopf is well respected in the tech and social media sectors, having been in the industry for longer than most – she was even part of the launch team of TWTRCON (now the Realtime Report & Conference), and has a soft spot for brand positioning with a strong interest in journalism and new media.

Weiskopf is now the VP of Business Development at DIGIDAY:, a media company and community for professionals who work in the digital media, marketing and advertising industry. She has been a tremendous force in calling out fakes online and helping shape web culture (particularly media) away from moronic behavior.

Anthony Iannarino

[dropcap style=”style1″]A[/dropcap]nthony Iannarino is a sales coach and consultant that calls himself a cataylst, an instigator, and an agitator. We agree.

Iannorino makes no apologies about the B2B sales world and is never shy to share tactics with the world that many would consider secretive for the industry.

His sales blog is consistently thought provoking, educational, and never dry or boring. If any part of your job involves sales, you should definitely get to know Iannorino.