Dan Hertz :: Biography

Dan Hertz is a results-oriented Internet Strategist, specializing in product development.

An out-of-the-box, creative thinker, Dan has a proven ability to shape product definition, technical requirements, business processes and online strategy in the B2B and B2C marketplace.

His insights have helped numerous organizations improve end-user satisfaction, build customer loyalty, streamline work flow processes, and reduce operational costs.

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 is currently developing new media and mobile applications such as the Facebook Pixody Player and Drink Searcher CMS; and oversees Insight 49, LLC, a new media company in the leisure lifestyle industry, whose products, services and websites connect people to their passions.

Testimonials

"A well-earned reputation as an excellent wine critic whose approach to the subject is always fresh, innovative, and completely objective."(Viv Stainforth, The Australian Wine Society)

"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)

"Your style is both witty and approachable, with verbiage that everyone can understand, not the usual pompous or condescending."(Derek M. DuBoyce, Realty World)

"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)