Among other topics, Craig discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy:

• How Craigslist grew from a simple “cc” list
• The rationale for Craigslist’s simple design
• Why he avoided investments from venture capitalists and bankers
• How Craigslist attracted employees
• The utilization of social media to connect people for mutual good
• Individuals of personal influence
• How the Bay Area has grown to attract so many talented people

Craig Newmark’s Biography

Welcome to Metis Strategy’s Forum on World Class IT. I’m Peter High and I’m pleased to welcome Craig Newmark to the broadcast. Craig is best known as the Craig in “craigslist” and “craigconnects.” He is a self described nerd, Web pioneer, speaker, philanthropist, and advocate of technology for the public good. Craig founded craigslist in 1995 as an email distribution list to friends, featuring local events in the San Francisco Bay Area. It became the almost completely free online classified advertising site that has seen more than 5 billion ads posted.  While no longer part of management, Craig continues to work with craigslist as a customer service representative (CSR) in what he calls a “lightweight” capacity.

Today, Craig’s primary focus is craigconnects, which he launched in March 2011. The mission of craigconnects in the short term is to promote and enhance the use of technology and social media to benefit philanthropy and public service. Craig serves on the board of directors of the Poynter Foundation, Center for Public Integrity, Sunlight Foundation, Consumers Union/Consumer Reports, Blue Star Families, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. He also serves on the Board of Overseers of the Columbia Journalism Review and on the advisory boards of nearly twenty other renowned non-profit organizations (see the full list at craigconnects.org/organizations). He is a member of the Sierra Club’s Arts and Entertainment.

Craig received his bachelor and master’s degrees in computer science from Case Western Reserve University.

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