We're pleased to present two speakers this month talking about how mobile technology is being used to collect information, help others, and change the world. RSVP at: http://www.mobileportland.com/events/rdtnorg-mobile-platform-change

Renny Gleeson, Global Digital Strategies Director for Wieden+Kennedy, will talk about how corporations and their products are being used as platforms for social change. Renny's work with Nokia and other W+K clients has given him a unique vantage point to see how people are using products and infrastructure in ways these companies never imagined.

Marcelino Alvarez, Founder of Uncorked Studios, found himself depressed by the devastation in Japan and frustrated with the U.S. news coverage of the subsequent radiation problems. He wondered if he and his colleagues could do something about it by having providing a way for people on the ground to report radiation levels.

The idea and the sketch that accompanied it spurred a frenetic 48 hours of development resulting in RDTN.org where people can report the radiation levels they are measuring and other sources of radiation information is aggregated.

In the subsequent days, Uncorked Studios has learned many lessons from the differences in the way radiation is measured, where best to get radiation data, and how to help put the radiation levels in perspective.

With collaborators around the world helping them, they are now looking at expanding their efforts with a Kickstarter project to build portable geiger counters that can interface with mobile devices.

Join us for these two unique perspectives on how we can utilize these devices in our pockets to make a difference in the world.

Our Speakers

Marcelino Alvarez, Uncorked Studios

Marcelino left the Miami sun for the Portland rain and joined Wieden+Kenendy, Portland as a Senior Interactive Producer on Nike and EA. After a year, he was promoted to Executive Producer. During his 3.5 years at W+K, he led interactive production on Nike, Old Spice, Electronic Arts and Laika. During that time, he also produced a few select projects, including the CareerBuilder.com iPhone app, the Nike Golf mobile website, and most notably, the Nike Chalkbot.

While at W+K, he and some friends started a creative side project called the Gorlochs. The Gorlochs have made several iPhone apps, including Boombox, Boombox Pro, and Kickball. In January 2010, Marcelino left W+K to pursue Gorlochs as a full-time endeavor. The Gorlochs worked with W+K on several projects, including the Procter & Gamble Winter Olympics interactive installation and the 2010 Nike Chalkbot. In 2011, Marcelino founded Uncorked Studios to work on mobile and web development projects.

Renny Gleeson, Wieden+Kennedy

Renny Gleeson began his career as a game developer, but quickly moved to advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi's digital arm. From there, he crossed over to dEliA*s before he was recruited by the NBA, where he led their marketing team and created online platforms for their major sponsors.

Currently, Renny is the Global Digital Strategies Director for Wieden+Kennedy, a cutting-edge advertising agency handling clients such as Nike, Nokia and Target. He also writes a blog, ouroboros, on new media. Many brands remain cautious about their online presence in the face of alien ad space, but as Renny says, "If you don't play, you're out of the game."