We here at v5 love Chicago, we love it: the vibe, the Loop, the bars near Wrigley, da Cubbies, the improv scene, and of course, the deep dish.
Yes, we love Chicago so much, we would marry it.
So today, our #FollowFriday for is all about: Chicago.
So here is our list of great Chicagoland people you MUST follow on Twitter:
@foiledcupcakes Mari (like Safari) is so Chicago: hip, cool, and oh yeah, makes the best cupcakes around. I should know, I have tried them and she is not paying me to talk about them. Yes, I am real journalist here. Seriously, I have enjoyed Maris’ business grow at Foiled Cupcakes, since it was about the same time when we formed v5 and started promoting Fernando. And yes, Mari (like Safari) is a Twitter Rockstar.
@joetheproducer: I met Joe over the summer in Chicago, and I was so happy to do so. His style on Twitter (fun, honest, authentic, and awesome) totally reflects his personality. Joe is a Web TV producer and has a great show called EnlightenMeRadio, a fabulous show for entrepreneurs.
@chicagodiane: Diane is amazing, her personality is infectious (in a good sense of the word), and I always love connecting with her. She is also one sharp VP for a technology company, and yes she is a hopeless Cubs fan. She will always put a smile in your Twitter stream, because Diane does Twitter right: connect, engage, be yourself.
@big_teeth: Ah, Gregg, you have the right Chicago sports attitude (Cubs always blow it) and your video work is top-notch. You crack me up with your humor and fashionable Windy City style. Now you have become the Chair of GATT = Guys Against Terrirble Television. Yes, sire, I will follow you into battle.
@aakomas: This DePaul Journalism student loves her sports, absolutely loves them. She knows her soccer, basketball, and baseball. Amy is also very cool to hang out with on Twitter. You will love how she connects with people.
And how can I not include the Queen of Chicago? The Social Media Maven of the Midway? The Big Bear? The Cosmic Cub? Yes, people, yes, if you can only follow 1 person on Twitter,
only 1 person,
Then you MUST MUST follow @ginidietrich. Why? Well, she knows her stuff, she embodies what social media for business should be about and if she gets a little over 1200 more followers, I promised I would sing her an original song on video. Yes, join the #Gini10K movement so I can look like a goof on video. (Wait, I always look like a goof on video.)
Franky Benítez 
HAHAHAHA! I especially love how you blew up my face super huge. Jeez. I hope I don’t have a zit.
I am in such great company!
If I may add a few notes about each one:
Mari (@foiledcupcakes) is one of the most genuine, kind, and FUN people I know. She’s a smart business owner, has a great product to sell, and she personally shows up on your doorstep every once in a while. Plus her munchkin has the BEST personality, which tells me she’s a great mom!
Joe, Joe, Joe. Somehow Joe knows how to antagonize people and push their buttons without them realizing what’s happening. He’s the boy in schoolyard who DEFINITELY pulled little girl’s ponytails. He was in my office last week and he, @rustyspeidel, and I got in a pretty heated debate. I was REALLY impressed with his thought process and ideas generated from our “brainstorm.”
Like I said, Diane is the only person I don’t know IRL, but I love her on Twitter! She’s a great connector, but everyone she introduces you too has a great personality. I guess what they say about you attracting friends like you is true…especially with her!
Gregg is, by far, one of my most favorite people. Not only did he bribe me with his homemade margaritas, but he is smart, witty, and hilarious. He is an entrepreneur and it’s going to be fun watching him succeed.
If I had to name only one thing I love about Amy, it’s that she’s not yet graduated from college, but hanging out with the likes of the people on this list is not, in the least, intimidating to her. I tell her all the time, that because she has developed such a strong personal brand online, she’ll have no problem finding a job when she graduates. She’s a rock star.
Thanks for the #Gini10K call-out. I’m DYING for that video!
Oh, freakin yeah. Love what you posted!
You have GOT to ask one more amazing social media Guru: Ramon DeLeon from Domino’s Pizza in Chicago(@Ramon_DeLeon) on Twitter.
He really is a genius when it comes to social media interaction.