 Welcome everybody. This is JSA's new series called JSA Fast Forward, where we broadcast live via LinkedIn. So welcome folks. Thank you for joining us. I'm your host, Jamie Scott-Okitaya, CEO and founder of JSA. And with me is my fabulous co-host, my dear friend and longtime colleague, Mr. Dean Perine. He's our overall guru here at JSA for client strategy and lead gen marketing. Hey, Dean. Hey, Jay. How are you? It is so good to see you, even if it's just virtually. I know. I'm connecting with you, sending vibes through the internet. I feel you, Captain. I feel you. And I am very, very excited to be on this live show today with you. Thank you. Yeah, it's very live. So guys, if you hear us make any mess ups or be the humans that we are, you know, it's live. If a dog barks or somebody sneezes or children start to do the river dance just above us or anything, whatever, you will excuse us. Thank you. Exactly. And we should say our script writers are busy writing for clients. So yeah, we're here bantering freely. So who knows what's going to happen. Yeah, it's scary. I'm, frankly, I was shocked that they're letting us do this together. Absolutely. But thank goodness to guide us along, keep us a little focused. We have torn out some big headlines happening in our industry as we wrap up this crazy, crazy year known as 2021. So let's get to it. Dean, what are the headlines catching your attention today? Yeah, the first one is from red line communications. They are they continue to support the oil and gas sector with their award winning virtual fiber solutions. That's correct virtual fiber solutions. Following a series of recent contract wins across the Middle East and India, red line is now selected to provide advanced connectivity solutions for a large petroleum exploration and production company operating in the Gulf of Thailand. And this is the, they're using their new virtual fiber across 27 well heads for secure and reliable high speed connectivity in these distant isolated locations, made to stand up against tough environmental conditions. The biggest thing for this one for me Jamie was that the whole concept of virtual fiber is a relatively new concept to me so it was one thing that I definitely needed to dig into a little bit before, before we went live today. Yeah, and red line has been killing it with their, their virtual fiber. This is a headline. I've seen several times from them this year, really using this virtual fiber to connect in these very isolated or dangerous locations. So oil and gas industry clearly a good one for them as well. And there's a thing right so we have India, Middle East connectivity as I'm going through these headlines, you know we're talking rapid digital growth and soaring demand for high quality polo what we like to hear, and particularly in this region. Turning over now to server farm. Yeah, the headline says that they just announced the development of is our three, its first hyper scale data center in central Israel, set to launch next year, the latter half of 2022. Is our three, their Israeli data data center, going to be bringing nine megawatts of critical capacity to Israel's accelerating digital economy is our three, you know really catering to those hyperscalers and large enterprises with edge capabilities in their scaleable environment so you know, as I'm seeing a beam here Middle East, really an economy to be watching right now. Absolutely. One of the things that I am noticing across my accounts is a an international play. It doesn't matter who you are or where your, what your origin story might be whether it be in the states or whether it be in another country. So this trend towards kind of a globalization of the, of the entire industry you know what I mean so it's like everybody is connected in some ways giving most people an international place so you're hearing a lot of that in 2021 I suspect we'll probably see as a lot of that in 2022. Obviously doesn't stop in the Middle East connectivity needs across Hong Kong and throughout Asia Pacific are at all time high as well. As a result to enable more robust connectivity options in its Hong Kong data centers. Next Asia Pacific's premier data center co location and hybrid cloud solutions provider formed a new agreement with China telecom we've all heard of them. As one of the world's largest providers of integrated telecommunication services China telecom will now deliver it's expanded local global and trans China network coverage services to BDX is Hong Kong, that's HKG one and HKG to facilities to have Hong Kong's data center so again a lot more. You know the Middle East Asia pack again all big big in the news today but you know we were talking about Europe just a month ago. So again this this trend toward globalization of or you know it internationalization that I just make up a new word of services is really happening. And you know what Hong Kong really interesting specifically as it's one of the world's top financial hubs, really a stable economic environment, making it just an ideal destination, particularly for financial institutions, as well as of course our growing tech companies, because we need that that world class colo and connectivity but in a secure stable economic environment Hong Kong's Hong Kong's where it's at. Yeah, I mean, honestly, with, I've been working with the edge connects team for many years now and they just just literally this week now granted I was on PTO, which is great for my birthday happy birthday to me. Yeah, but while I was out, I did see that they made an announcement about an investment a strategic investment in Chai Oro, which is a leading data center provider in China so again, Hong Kong China Asia pack big big big right now. And that that's really strategic I was, I was looking at that headline to and, and it's just kind of perfect for both companies right. It's, it's a partnership that provides edge connects with data center offerings in Beijing and Shanghai, of course to have China's largest markets and then the ability to really scale out the Chai Oro is platform to other major markets in mainland China so really, you know, again you were talking worldwide globalization. Now, now it's, it's a worldwide platform for customers with hyper local edge capacity needs or hyper scale capacity. And there's also that built to suit a flexibility built in there too so so really an interesting and exciting move for edge connects right now. Yeah, that train keeps on moving at a brick mix be right now for French connects so get good on them I'm sure our friend Philip over there probably would like to take a moment to just take a deep breath. But we'll talk about him in just a moment as well. But what you know something you said, kind of maybe think of a webinar that I was that I said in on by Zen layer, and they're Carlos Morel I think that's how that's how you say his last name. But you know he's talking about it's not just financial and tech companies but media and content companies are big players right now to, and not even in just tier one markets it used to be that you know the tier one markets when we're talking about these types of players, that's kind of where they live but with streaming and gaming platforms taking off. Specifically I did not want to say this word on on on this on this stream but specifically with the pandemic and the reality of the new reality for lack of a better cliche. There's a tremendous tremendous growth opportunities for for media and entertainment in these emerging markets, including China and India and Southeast Asia. What 12.8 billion end users currently 12.8 billion with a B end users looking for this kind of content so and that's not slowing down anytime soon. I know it's a lot of people. A lot of end users. And yeah, I agree Zen layer did a great job with that webinar Carlos had some staggering data points that I think are worthy of mentioning. He said that also that the emerging market users all those folks 12.8 billion end users, they're often early adopters to so they're the, they're the folks that are using their cell phones and other mobile devices to access media and entertainment, you know, that's actually more prevalent in these emerging markets so. They're the you and I have these other markets. Really interesting. And, and, you know, quoting that webinar 663 million with an M new mobile internet users are expected to emerge through 2025 in this Asia pack region alone. So, yeah. Awesome webinar to check out by Zen layer and Zen layer will be at PTC, one of our 25 clients attending we've got a whole slew of them trying to telecom America's gazillion of them. But yeah. And so you know who will not be there Jay me because because because I don't get to go to Hawaii but I understand that you will be going to Hawaii. I took the ticket. But, you know, and right now with this new variant, it's all fingers crossed right. But yes, we are hoping to have four of us JSA is going down to fabulous Honolulu. And we will be doing that that fabulous JSA TV media partnership with PTC. Thank you to our team and theirs for setting that up. Which means we will be recording interviews with industry thought leaders. What's their news. Why now who does it impact. And then we're going to be sharing those little video interviews across both our PTC as well as JSA platforms and you know sharing it amongst those those communities which should really be amazing. But, you know, you're not just staying home Dean we're going to send you to Florida just shortly thereafter right. That's correct. I will be going to Metro Connect at the end of January I want to say it's the 31st through the second of February in Miami and I too will be recording JSE TVs and interested in networking with you are our viewers while I am there. So definitely hit us up at and this is my favorite my favorite email address that we have a JSA say hi that is say hi as a Y hi at JSA.net. If you or somebody you know would like to meet with with either Jamie at PTC or myself at Metro Connect we would love to meet with you and perhaps record a JSA TV video with you. And same deal there where, like PTC we share it with the PTC community on those JSA TV interviews you will be shooting at Metro Connect law so be shared with the capacity community so loving that that media crossover. And this gets us back to states side I think we've been out exploring Asian headlines so bring it back here in the US in our data center telecom realm. I was just reading about data bank, making some more moves down south down in Texas. You know I saw that to, and every time I think of Texas I think about the number of JSA is that actually are in Texas now. It feels it feels like a lot you know Vanessa Brianna, there's probably others that, but Texas for sure is seeing a significant economic boom particular, particularly in the tech sector, maybe it's because they got all that space to bring in those those those technology companies, but obviously it's due in large part to their business friendly climate, which has spurred a high number of tech companies and overall companies into the state so yeah we're you know Texas is is where it's at right now I think. John Musk was just in the headlines quoted as saying Tesla's new vehicle factory that they brought to Austin now going to be a 10 billion with a B dollar investment over time so great news for Texas California is probably a little sad. Yeah, it was a brilliant move for for Tesla of course and and great for Texas and Texas taxpayers right. It makes sense. The state is is really kind of going for it with behavioral tax policies, central location which makes traveling from coast to coast, a breeze so it does kind of make sense, maybe some of them will come to the Indiana to sometime Yeah, well being a pro business climate helps you know and and Texas is doing it right so a lot of states can absolutely take some some notes there. And getting back to our data bank headline, talk about being in the right place at the right time and knowing it leveraging it the company is expanding its Dallas Fort Worth data center DFW three yet again. That's the fourth expansion so far for DFW three. That's an additional 22,000 square feet of space and three megawatts more of power. Now we're talking up to 40 megawatts of total power from diverse utility fees so unbelievable space and unbelievable location location location. This build out, I think they're projecting completion in q2 of 2022 so coming soon. Yeah, it seems like data bank was in the news. Every time I looked at the news. So they were there definitely one to watch in 2022, especially with the Zicolo acquisition from ZO data bank is the largest privately owned edge data center provider in the US in terms of geographic coverage and number of facilities so they to are in a big growth mode Yeah, we're talking 60 plus data centers for data and 20 into connection hubs in more than 30 metro market so they're killing it right now you know again we can't you can't not hear about data bank in the news lately. And we should say we kind of have some hot news breaking here in our live event so if you can wait to get to this part could you Jay. I love this part. I'm sharing it first. So we have Raul Martin, of course data bank CEO. And you should also mention Philip Marangela, the CMO of edge connects as well as 18 other amazing thought leaders breaking news all the time folks who will be co authoring our chapters and greener data, greener data. Yeah, we're really excited this is our JSA book, which we will be launching on Earth Day, April 22 2022. And we are so blessed because we've been asking our industries top innovators like Raul, like Philip to commit to a chapter, how we can work together how we can innovate how we can really change the earth. So let technology help us to decrease carbon emissions. And, you know, I've been very excited very blessed with just the, the amazing response to what to our invitation to to co author these this book with us. So amazing leaders again like Raul and Philip, who have stepped up to say yes, I'm in. Yeah, you know, it's, it's interesting because we've been talking a lot about kind of expansion and international and international plays amongst many of our clients but the other thing that is you cannot you cannot dismiss is that it is all kind of happening with an eye toward sustainability with an eye toward diversity and inclusion with an eye toward being good responsible companies and you know from our seat as as marketers. That's a good thing you know so we're looking forward you know to kind of really digging in digging in in 2022 and doing some some some great work for not just for you know the business world but for for our plan so that's good. And then paying that forward so a lot of growth in the sector, and a lot of giving back in 2022 with so many great and well deserved recognitions, particularly in this time of the year. So talking about talking recognitions, we've got to mention, of course Dean you know I'm a very proud I Mason infrastructure Mason's member, and we just had our I Mason's award ceremony like a few days ago. And, by the way, Dean Nelson, and crew killing it those virtual events are such a high caliber it's it's, we praise you. So, but yes, watching that I Mason's award ceremony, maybe really happy they really gave some very notable well deserved recognitions. And you want to take it. It's, I couldn't wait to get to this part because, frankly, one of one of my one of my one of my favorites edge connects, as you know how how to add a nice sweep there so, and specifically a name that I don't often get to get to kind of really a quote in the news is is Angela Capone at edge connects. She's their marketing director. And I have loved every second of working with Angela, but she was honored for her work in leading grassroots initiative women connects that grew into a company and industry wide opportunity. Women to share experiences opportunities collaboration and teamwork inside global high technology organization so and you know Angela is a bit of a trailblazer there are plenty that came, you know before her that we're kind of like mapping this out but this this women connects initiative is is really something to watch in 2022 I'm very very proud to be a part of that with her. Yeah, women connects. Yay, we've been so so honored to watch that take off. Just amazing. Particularly you know post pandemic I know we're trying to not say the pandemic word but it. There is, there is a new, a new way of connecting these days and it's difficult you know it's it's hard we need to find strength and inspiration from one another, virtually and that's challenging. And so I found women connects to be just a phenomenal phenomenal initiative and at a perfect time and we're all looking to to seek out role models and mentors and support and you know, listening ears. So yeah, women connects I'm really proud that it was an Angela trailblazing with women connects as you said. And now it's, it's really been great to kind of see this very human element kind of rise above the pandemic right now it's, it's been nice, because things like sustainability and, you know, green energy and diversity and inclusion all those kind of like fundamentally human things that don't go away simply because we're in a pandemic in fact, you could argue that they accelerate perhaps during a pandemic. And one of the things, again, with edge connects I know I sound like I'm kicking a horse right now. I know you love horses Jamie so I apologize for that. And then next, you know to add to the I mason's award sweep their Philip Mount Marangelo the who we have we've discussed their CMO to comb the highly coveted 2021 I mason's diversity and inclusion champion award, which is well deserved Philip congratulations to on that and Philip has been really empowering and providing opportunities for young people women veterans, and those from diverse backgrounds to receive the training resources guidance and support that they need in this industry to not just get into the industry but quite literally to thrive within the industry so congratulations again on that Philip. Yeah, and speaking personally Philip spent a mentor to me over the years he he really has been a champion of of our work here JSA. Yeah, it's just he's a friend, you know, and he's one of those we're special people who makes all of us feel connected. You know, I think anyone who knows him feels like their friends with him that they're connected with him. It's a really special quality you know what I mean. Definitely definitely you know working with him you know weekly sometimes daily. It is it is clear that he is operating on a plane where everyone is an equal everyone is has a voice. It's really been great. We all matter and together we can. And that's a really powerful powerful mantra powerful thing to make people feel around you. Yeah. All right, and we cannot forget his capstone project. See this in my notes and I'm like, we should talk about this too. Yeah. Philip also is kind of the he's that kind of at the helm of the box led with regard to a capstone project that is aimed at training, mentoring and recruiting a more diverse workforce that DNI stuff that we were talking about a moment ago in collaboration with the infrastructure nations and other organizations edge connects partners with historic historical black colleges and universities to encourage encourage participation in stem programs and create a pipeline of diverse candidates for internships and full time positions so again, this capstone project is really kind of part and parcel to what Philip has been doing apparently and it's free time I'm not entirely sure when he gets all of this stuff done but he does. I don't I don't think he sleeps but yes, his efforts on this capstone project. Very well recognized at the award ceremony to, and he was also named a joint winner of the 2021 education champion award so yes sweep. Okay, so I'm at the end of mine. What okay one more thing connected to fiber just today was an hour ago announced that where to where's that it is. Yeah, can you know one point one point four billion locations being managed across 147 countries so what this is their connected world or SAS platform is is is managing 1.4 billion locations providing insight transparency into 1.4 billion locations as far as network availability into those locations so what does that do for network buyers and sellers, it basically provides an ecosystem for them to communicate in a way that gives them direct access invisibility into what exists, what doesn't exist so there's specific ramifications for them there, there's certainly partnership opportunities there, and obviously for them, fulfilling end user customer bids. This provides a very streamlined and automated way of getting that job done so highly efficient and so can congratulations connected to fiber on 1.4 billion with a be locations managed across 147 different countries congratulations to you on that. And you know what I just connected to fiber correct me if I'm wrong here but again we're riffing right, but they want they got on the Inc 5000 list this year along with JSA. So, yeah, and, and particularly notable because it was comparing pandemic 2020 to to the growth in the last three years previously so you know the. That's, that's unbelievable, really on that, that even in a pandemic companies like connected to fiber JSA companies supporting our industry, of course other companies in our industry, really, really so growing. And this is of course, private companies, the fastest private companies growing in the US to get on that in 5000 list but what an incredible accomplishment when you think about how much the pandemic has changed the way that we do business, and how, how our industry how connectivity is really allowing us to still connect, you know, get get business done, learn, be entertained, but also still still meet each other in this virtual reality and still feel like we can still be human together. So anyway, unbelievable way to end 2021 success, even amongst this crazy pandemic. Cheers everyone to a healthier happier 2022 together. We hear JSA will be connecting you with more industry news and trends upcoming events virtual and live across our blogs newsletters virtual round tables podcast, and now via LinkedIn live to keep us all more informed, so we can grow this industry together. Absolutely. So thanks for turning tuning into our very first or inaugural JSA fast forward. And before, before I kick it back over to you Jamie, let me just say how fortunate that JSA is to have you as our leader. You have shown us the the right way, even in the most brutal of storms. And I cannot thank you enough for being such a great mentor to me and leader of JSA and overall great person and friends so thank you. Thank you Dean. Thank you so much and thank you community for supporting JSA we're celebrating our 17 years of birthday, January 1 to. So, I don't think we could have done this without one of course our team, folks like Dean and and so many of us here JSA who who go go the distance and and really dig in and do well because of the love of the job and of our clients and of our industry, but thank you industry for just always supporting us and and listening in tuning in. Really it's a time where you count your blessings and we've been very blessed we have so many blessings. So thank you all. And as always please stay safe. See you at PTC Metro Connect and many more full good good celebrations to come. And as always, happy networking.