
Mike O'Donnell (Trade Me)
Affectionately known as "MOD," Mike O'Donnell has played a key role in the success of internet auction site Trade Me. Now Head of Operations, his involvement with Trade Me dates back to 2004, and he was especially instrumental in setting up with the jobs, motoring, property and travel sections of the website.
Though, on his blog, O'Donnell claims that he "lives in fear of his red-headed wife and tries to keep up with his two young daughters," over the years O'Donnell has boldly thrown himself into all manner of activities, from funds management and investment to marketing and communication in the private and public sectors, both here and overseas, from motor-racing and riding motorcycles, to travel and the great outdoors. He is widely known and respected for his work as a motoring journalist, but his name is indelibly tied above all to the rise and rise of Trade Me.
His Spark presentation is bound to be informative and inspiring. He will offer insights into the way Trade Me supplanted the classifieds and advertising model of the traditional print media, and dominated the local internet, and perhaps even offer a glimpse of the future.