Social Media Maven. Casual Game & Virtual World Enthusiast. Laptop Bag Aficionado.

Kate likes to think that she invented the Internet ... but knows that wouldn't be fair to Al Gore. Instead, she contents herself with her invention of "The Canadian", a surprisingly refreshing cocktail containing Wild Turkey, gingerale, cranberry juice and a dash of lime.

When she's not inventing refreshing cocktails, Kate Trgovac can be found online, helping companies large and small communicate with their customers. After over 20 years as an online marketer, she’s seen many digital marketing tactics come and go (remember gopher?!), but the principles remain the same: engage your community’s passion!

After spending time at several digital agencies, software shops and startups - in Toronto and Vancouver, Kate co-founded LintBucket Media -- a boutique marketing agency headquartered in Vancouver that specializes in online marketing, social media marketing & training, and digital content creation. Over the years, Kate’s clients have included large corporations like Suncor Energy and Maple Leaf Foods as well as startups like Kinzin, Osmosus (a social network for green living) and SavvyMom (a social site for moms).

In addition to stirring up trouble (and winning awards) for amazing clients, Kate is currently a part-time lecturer at the University of British Columbia on Social Media Fundamentals.  She has also been a part-time lecturer in the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information Studies.  In addition to teaching, Kate is a regular speaker at marketing industry events across the country.

Kate currently serves on the digital committee for the Canadian Marketing Association and has served on the Advertiser’s Council of the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada. She is a leading authority on social media and is often quoted in mainstream media, including CBC, Inc Magazine, the National Post, the Montreal Gazette and Marketing Magazine. She was the technical editor for a recent popular book on social media, Friends with Benefits: A Social Media Marketing Handbook.

Kate writes about the intersection of marketing and technology on her blog MyNameIsKate.ca.  MyNameIsKate.ca is listed in Advertising Age’s Top 150 Marketing Blogs in the world and has been designated “Must Read” blogs by Marketing Magazine. Kate was named a Top 10 Technology Blogger in Canada in 2008  by ITWorld Canada. She has also been designated one of Canada's Most Influential Women in Social Media.

Aside from social media, Kate’s current passion is the burgeoning area of virtual worlds and how they impact not only marketing programs, but also the creation and fluidity of personal identity. You can find her avatar on Second Life and other virtual worlds usually under the name (and blog) Katicus Sparrow. 

And for something a little different, Kate also writes extensively about Funky, Chic and Cool Laptop bags and regularly advises bag designers on both function and fashion as well as how to market their creations. In collaboration with Rainebrooke Designs, she has designed her own laptop bag, the Funchico.