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Unveiling the Future of Web3 with Brent Annells (ex-Uber, ex-Facebook)

July 21, 2023

Are you ready to navigate the digital landscape of Web3 with industry veteran, Brent Annells, CMO at Smart Token Labs? Prepare to delve into the world of Web3 as we navigate its intricacies with Brent, who has not only been at the helm of tech giants like Uber and Facebook but has also experienced the shifts from Web1 to Web2, and now Web3, with 11 different startups under his belt. Brent will shed light on how to simplify the complex world of Web3 and share the importance of storytelling and strategic partnerships in getting your brand ahead in this digital era.

Our conversation also takes us to the realm of tokenization and how it can be a game-changer in web-to-web services - imagine a tap-and-go experience, similar to credit cards, to make your web three journey seamless. All this will be anchored in Smart Token Labs' vision of creating a smart layer—an integration layer between web three and web two. However, we also acknowledge the challenges in this transition, from securitization to the complexity of implementation, and discuss possible solutions.Lastly, we explore partnerships and communities in Web3 and how they differentiate from Web2. As we anticipate the metaverse and AI trends, we evaluate the different types of partnerships, their effectiveness, and the role of tokenization in reducing friction in web-to-web services. This episode promises to be an enlightening discussion on the future of the web and marketing strategies in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Join us and gear up to master the world of Web3.

The Transformative Power of Web3: A Conversation with Brent Annells and Joeri Billast

As technology continues to evolve, the role of blockchain, decentralization, and DAOs is becoming increasingly prominent. In a recent podcast conversation, Brent Annells, a Web3 thought leader, and Joeri Billast, a marketer and entrepreneur, explore the transformative power of Web3. They delve into how web3's revolutionary concept is reshaping the world and creating new opportunities.

The Advent of Web3

Brent starts the conversation by expressing his excitement about the direction web3 is taking. He acknowledges the wave of changes that Web3 brings, particularly the transformative nature of the technology. This, he points out, is a process similar to the internet revolution led by Google and the mobile internet wave championed by Facebook.

This revolution, Brent points out, is based on a different set of rules, driven by users and incentivized communities, rather than centralized organizations. He also notes that web3 has opened up the possibility for creators to have more control over their creations and more value from their work.

The Power and Limitations of DAOs

The discussion moves to DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), where Brent acknowledges the potential of these entities, while also cautioning about their limitations. DAOs are essentially communities of incentivized believers, and their strength can vary with the value of the token.

Despite the hype and the occasional misfire, the concept of incentivizing communities with tokens is at the heart of what cryptocurrencies can enable. They offer new types of governance and economic incentives, motivating people at a scale to do things they may not otherwise do. Brent points to the example of Climadow, a DeFi 2.0 experiment based on mobilizing people to invest in carbon credits.

The Promise of the Metaverse and AI

When asked about the metaverse, Brent recognizes the transformative role it plays in people's lives, pointing to the significant amount of time people now spend in virtual worlds. He suggests that while some aspects of the metaverse may be overhyped, the evolution of these virtual environments is unquestionably happening.

On the topic of AI, Brent observes that it's a disruptive force with a significant impact. From enhancing communication to fostering productivity, AI technology offers limitless possibilities. However, he urges caution against falling prey to the fear of missing out and advises taking a slow and steady approach towards understanding and utilizing AI.

The Future of Web3 and Advice for Entrepreneurs

Towards the end of the conversation, Brent emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and taking action. He recounts his experience of learning about web3 and how a dedicated, non-stressful approach allowed him to gain a deep understanding of the tech. He suggests adopting a similar strategy, learning in bite-sized chunks without feeling overwhelmed, and enjoying the journey of discovery.

For marketers and entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technological evolution, Brent's advice is to maintain an open mind, exhibit a bias for action, and not be deterred by the complex jargon and terminology.

Connect and Learn More

The conversation ends with Brent inviting people to check out his new project, Smart Layer Network, a technology offering from Smart Token Labs. He also encourages people to connect with him on LinkedIn for any further questions or discussions.

This conversation with Brent Annells and Joeri Billast sheds light on the transformative power of web3, the potential and limitations of DAOs, the influence of the metaverse and AI, and provides insightful advice for navigating the exciting world of emerging technologies. Whether you are a marketer, an entrepreneur, or simply a technology enthusiast, there is much to learn and discover in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Brent Annells (ex-Uber, ex-Facebook)

 KEY HIGHLIGHTS  (see clickable version on www.cmo-stories.com) 

[01:25] What are your key learnings about adapting marketing strategies to Web1, Web2, and Web3? 

[03:10] How have your experiences at Uber and Facebook influenced your current marketing role at Smart Token Labs? 

[05:56] What is your mission, and how are you simplifying tokenization for developers and brands? 

[08:40] Apart from friction, what other obstacles do you encounter with your clients before they are convinced to embrace the Web3 world? 

[12:00] How can individuals establish partnerships and collaborations in the Web3 space, and what are the key factors for building such relationships effectively? 

[14:24] How do you perceive the differences between building communities in Web3 compared to Web2, especially for businesses making the transition or starting fresh in the Web3 environment? 

[17:53] Do you follow the evolutions and experiments in the Metaverse, and do you have any opinions about its evolution? 

[19:31] As someone in the tech space, what is your opinion on the current AI trends? Do you view it as hyperbit, and what advantages do you see in the ongoing evolution of AI? 

[22:52] For marketers and entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed with the rapid changes, what's one tip or advice you would offer to help them navigate the current dynamic landscape? 

[26:55] If people have further questions or want to connect with you, where would you like to direct them to reach out or follow up with you? 

NOTABLE QUOTES 

"Web3 is this new wave of technology, which is transformative, just like when Google drove the internet wave, Facebook drove the mobile internet wave. But this wave is slightly different." 

"DAOs have the ability to marshal and incentivize communities of believers, which is why their strength varies with the value of their token." 

 "While certain aspects of the metaverse are overhyped, it's clear that there is a genuine evolution of the way we spend time in these environments." 

"AI is the next big technological disruptor, but we must avoid falling into the trap of FOMO and take the time to fully understand its potential." 

 "To anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pace of technological evolution, my advice is to maintain an open mind, show a bias for action, and not be put off by the complex jargon and terminology."

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