Featured Speaker(s)

INTRODUCTION by:
Robin Raskin of Raising Digital Kids
Robin has been translating technology into consumer friendly terms for more than 20 years. Today, as a technology consultant, spokesperson, and author she spends a great deal of her time focusing on family life in a digital world.

She's been the Editor in Chief of FamilyPC, editor of PC Magazine, and columnist for USA Today Online and the Gannett News Service, winning numerous prizes for her coverage of technology. Robin has authored 6 books about parenting in the digital age, for publishers including Random House, Simon and Schuster and Hyperion.

Seana Dowling
Research Director, Quantitative Research Group

As Research Director in IDC’s Quantitative Research Group (QRG), Seana
Dowling leads IDC’s Advanced Analytics initiative, identifying and
developing advanced analysis opportunities with demand-side data. With
extensive experience in demand-side project design and management, Seana focuses on conducting statistical analyses to identify and explore data trends at a deeper level. She has worked on a variety of projects involving advanced statistical analysis of demand-side data, including the development of new segmentation strategies based on cluster analysis, identification of key drivers of technology adoption using predictive analytics, and discovery of gender and attitudinal differences in preferences for cell phone colors.

Seana also leads QRG’s Consumer Research initiative, and participates in the development of numerous global market models segmenting and forecasting specific aspects of the technology market. The Quantitative Research Group, situated within the Global Research Organization (GRO), works with IDC analysts worldwide on their demand-side projects and market models to improve the accuracy, credibility and timeliness of IDC´s forecasts and market analysis.

Seana has worked in research design and analysis for more than fifteen years. Prior to joining IDC, she worked as a research assistant at the University of Anchorage Alaska. She was involved with multiple research projects, some of which resulted in publications in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, Seana lectured in statistics and research methodology courses. Before beginning her graduate studies, Seana served in the U.S. Army in the Air Defense Artillery.

Seana holds an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the University of
Alaska Anchorage and a B.A. in Psychology from the College of the Holy
Cross.

Dana Thorat
Research Manager, Mobile User

Dana Thorat is a research manager for IDC's Clients and Mobility primary
research service. Dana conducts research among consumer and business
mobile and IT users, corporate buyers of IT products and services, and
emerging customer segments, such as women and teens. Much of her research
is based on regular surveys conducted among IDC's International Technology
Advisory Council, a panel of more than 45,000 technology users and buyers
worldwide. Her studies typically focus on gauging attitudes, preferences,
behaviors, and purchasing patterns of end users and corporate buyers
through segmentation, predictive modeling, and other methods of data
analysis.

Dana was formerly a senior research analyst in IDC's Wireless and
Mobile Communications program, where she researched wireless mass market
wireless voice and data services and applications. She also examined market
trends, vendor strategies, revenue opportunities, and the demand from adult
and youth markets for emerging wireless services and content. Since 1995,
Dana has also held other roles at IDC, including senior analyst for
IDC’s Global Market Models and Demand-Side Research service where she
managed mobile and enterprise technology panels to support various primary
research efforts. She was also a senior analyst in the Residential
Broadband and Telecommunications service, where she conducted research on
the market for enhanced telecommunications services, and in IDC’s
Investment Research Services where she was responsible for a number of
IDC's larger management consulting accounts.

Prior to IDC, Dana worked at Network World magazine as an associate
features editor. Dana has presented at IDC sponsored events and
client conferences and is quoted in business and trade publications.

Dana has a B.S. degree in liberal arts from Northeastern University
in Boston, MA and is pursuing a master's degree in Marketing Analytics at
Bentley College.