Biography

Dan Hertz is an insightful, results-oriented innovator, specializing in Internet business development, consumer experience, and new media marketing.

An out-of-the-box, creative thinker, Dan is a proven leader, with the ability to inspire and motivate people; and to shape product definition, technical requirements, customer experience, business processes and online strategy in the B2B and B2C marketplace.

As Sallie Mae's Senior Online Consumer Experience Architect, Dan co-developed a custom collateral system that reduced work flow by over 40%; conceived and prototyped a text messaging system to reduce call center costs by more than $685,000; defined user experience strategies; and collaborated with stakeholders and clients to define business and technical requirements.

In the 1990s, he launched several leading websites, including ChamberMusic.com and The Wine News Network, one of the first Internet-based beverage industry portals; and created the first electronic wine and spirit catalogs for William Grant & Sons, Campari, The Gruppo Italiano Vini, Allesverloren, Fleur Du Cap, Stellenryck, Two Oceans, and Amarula Cream.

An inventor of two provisional business process patents involving XML and print flow technologies, Dan currently spearheads DrinkSearcher.com, where consumers can find the right bottle at the right price (tm), via the web, social media, email and mobile; and oversees Insight 49, LLC, a new media company in the leisure lifestyle industry, whose products, services and websites connect people to their passions.

Skills Summary

Multi-faceted, creative, out-of-the-box thinker; Experienced, motivational leader who can facilitate small to large groups and events; Knowledgeable and personable, with a thorough understanding of communications and the Media; current and developing social networking trends, technologies, Web standards best practices, Search Engine Optimization techniques, and user-centered design.

Critical Acclaim

"Thanks to Daniel Hertz, we have a world class production leading wine marketing into the next century."(Bernard Pearson, Peter Mielzynski Agencies Ltd)

"A man of high integrity and creativity."(Susan Spence, The New York Wine and Grape Foundation)

"Daniel was a self-motivator...with a positive attitude."(Kit Poole, The Calgary Sun Newspaper)

"A keen sense of professionalism."(Ray Djuff, The Calgary Sun Newspaper)

"His dedication to knowledge, energy and zeal make him a pleasure to deal with."(Stephen T. Anderson, Black Stallion Spirits)

"Dan is a passionate and creative contributor, focused on finding solutions for the business problems we bring to him."(Termeh Rassi, Managing Director, Product Strategy, Sallie Mae Inc.)

"We were impressed by the creative additional touches that he leant to this project and would like to recommend his services as a website architect.(Bernadette Geronazzo, In The Public Eye)

"Your involvement with the Internet has boldly taken you where few wine guys have been....[I] have no hesitation in recommending that others contact you for advice and opinion."(Richard Bain, Authentic Wine & Spirit Merchants)

"An Internet innovator."(Donald Ziraldo, Inniskillin Wines)

"Many thanks for your superb assistance in pulling together the New York Wine Fairs for us in Alberta....Your organizational efforts were absolutely essential to the success of these events."(Dan Kleck, Palmer Vineyards)

"I credit you personally with conceiving ideas which set New York apart from all the other wine fairs which are on tour through the province every year."(Susan Spence, The New York Wine and Grape Foundation)

"Thank you for all the help and advice you have given me through the years, here at Green Street. Your experience and knowledge in the wine industry have helped us to present a polished and professional image. You have spent time teaching my staff about all the products we sell: wines, beers, spirits and food, and your enthusiasm has rubbed off on all of us. Your help in creating my first wine list was wonderful, and your suggestions on every update since have been excellent....When you recommend a wine, we feel very confident that we will not be disappointed if we buy it."(Chuck Rose, Green Street Restaurant)