Charl Norman

I’m an award winning consumer internet and digital media entrepreneur.

Currently Founder of OnNet - an internet technology company that builds web and mobile publishing tools. OnNet has extensive experience in providing content through web, mobile (off deck and apps), sms and USSD channels.

Previously, I managed operations for Blueworld Communities (BWC), a company I founded with partners. BWC operates online communities in the entertainment, motoring and dating space and was acquired by Media24 (Africa's biggest media corporate owned by Naspers) in 2008.

BWC also created Afridoctor, the Award winning J2ME application that won the $85.000 Nokia Application Innovation Award.

In 2011, I was a founding member of Touchlab, an award winning mobile division within Naspers, that builds applications and tablet publications for iOS and Android.

I also own a publishing network including BandwidthBlog.com, an opinionated tech and internet news blog which has hit the homepage of Digg (back when that mattered), been referenced by ReadWriteWeb numerous times and has won awards such as a silver pixel at The Bookmarks and best technology blog in the SA Blog Awards. Other titles include CarBlog.co.za, SportBlog.co.za and Fintalk.co.za (acquired by Finweek).

I have 12 years of digital experience and started my first online community (Zoopedup.com) while still in high school.

I was also runner up for the ICT Young Entrepreneur of Africa Award in 2008, included in Mail & Guardian's top 200 young executives and nominated for 'Top 30 entrepreneurs under 30' in Africa.

Specialties: Online Publishing, Product Management, Project Management, Development Manager, Business Development, SEM, SMM, Public Speaking, Affiliate Marketing, Mobile (mobile web and native apps), Branding, Hiring, providing content through USSD and PRSMS.

1. Social Media Marketing
2. New Business Development
3. Mobile Devices
4. Mobile Web
5. Online Publishing
6. Web Development
7. Product Management
8. Public Speaking
9. Brand Development
10. Hiring
11. SEM
12. Affiliate Marketing
13. Mobile
14. Application Development
15. Mobile Applications
16. User Experience
17. Mobile Internet
18. Entrepreneurship
19. Start-ups
20. Digital Media
21. Social Networking
22. Social Media
23. Blogging
24. New Media
25. Online Advertising
26. WordPress
27. Project Management
28. E-commerce
29. Digital Strategy
30. Mobile Marketing

View All (30) Skills View Fewer Skills

Interests:

Stock Market (equities), Online Publishing, Consumer Internet, Enterprise Software, B2B, Business Development, SEM, SMM, Mobile web, Building Online Communities, Entrepreneurship, Autobiographies of business leaders, English Football, Rugby.

Groups and Associations:

• 
  24.com
• 
  Africa Connect
• 
  Africa Interactive
• 
  Apple fans
• 
  Cape Town Business Club - South Africa
• 
  Careers24 Recruiters & HR Professionals
• 
  Digital Media and Marketing Association South Africa
• 
  MWEB - Connect & You Can
• 
  Media24
• 
  Mobile Content
• 
  Mobile start-ups - 10,000+ members and growing!
• 
  Netprophet
• 
  Netrepreneurs
• 
  Professional Bloggers
• 
  Red Carpet Concepts
• 
  Social Media South Africa
• 
  South African Web Entrepreneurs
• 
  Startup Specialists
• 
  Status Luxury Vehicles
• 
  Venture Capital and Private Equity for Africa
• 
  YumFood.co.za

Honors and Awards:

2012 Silver Pixel winner at The Bookmarks
2011 Silver Pixel winner at The Bookmarks
2011 Best Technology Blogger - SA Blogging awards
ICT Young Entrepreneur of Africa 2008 runner up
Top 30 entrepreneurs under 30 in Africa nominee
Top 200 young executives - Mail and Guardian

• Afrikaans

  (Full professional proficiency)

• English

  (Full professional proficiency)