The Katnip Awards

This month we honor a few of our favorite Twitterers -- including 2 spectacular breast cancer survivors -- who are worthy of your clicking the "Follow" button.

Pretty in Pink Award
She not only survived cancer twice. She endured 7 breast cancer surgeries. And she came out with her sense of humor intact. Now Jamie Inman"s passion is helping others face the challenge of cancer through her Pink Café. She says she’s still got cleavage. We think lots of heart, too. Be sure to read "Sick of Pink Yet?" See why she inspires daily. @ibeatcancrtwice

Best Tweeting & Eating Award
He tweets. He eats. He scores. Usually simultaneously. Jeff is an advertising copywriter/social media consultant we knew BT (Before Twitter), although he’d probably prefer a BLT. It’s no wonder he has his own hashtag: #wwjce  (What Would Jeff Cutler Eat?).  He also happens to be in with the In Crowd at almost every social media event. One of the masterminds & stars of last week’s hugely successful NomX3 featuring @garyvee in Boston. Truly genuine, gladly helpful and great sense of humor. Definitely one to know. @jeffcutler

Illuminating and Informing Award
What men need to know about breast cancer. How a smartphone can help cancer patients. Which pink products really help make a difference. How you can keep working while going through treatments.  The hidden blessings cancer offers. All kinds of valuable information is in one spot on twitter, and doing it well.   @Bcsurvivors


Swashbuckler Award
He leapt out of the Twitterstream on Sept. 19 when he tweeted, "We suck! We will never win the world series...what? Not that kind of Pirate? #talklikeapirate" We’ve been paying attention ever since. Warm,
witty and even wise. A New Orleanian at heart who lives on the Left Coast and loves the Red Sox. He has a blog and he’s not afraid to use it. @kevinvandever

Thriver, Not Just Survivor Award
Three-time cancer survivor (2x breast cancer) who is now director of her own non-profit, The Staley Foundation, which supports cancer patients and their families undergoing treatment at Tufts Medical Center through education, advocacy, and immediate financial assistance.  This summer she organized
Staley’s Riders to raise more money.  Selfless, sunny, spunky and sweet. There’s a reason she’s getting a second nod from the Akatemy.  @stales

Blinding Smile Award
You’ll probably fall in love with her based on her avatar. Then her bio will clinch the deal: "CEO of nothing. But very busy and important." Self-effacing but not shy. Funny, clever, and quick. Terrific new blogger who’s always interesting. An instant friend on Twitter that we wish lived around the corner, but then we’d never get anything done. @mjjaaska

Ride Like the Wind Award
He’s wanted by Interpol for his brazen Blip-ing of Christopher Cross songs. You may recall mention of him here in June when he lost the infamous BlipOff (aka BlipIdol) against @julito77. But he’s so much more than a passive-aggressive DJ. New England native living in ATL, this sports fanatic for all teams Boston is also a savvy media maverick who has just launched BuzzCal Communications. Truly one of the good guys, despite his taste in music. @jeffmello
 
Don of Civilization Award
His bio claims he’s a "Bleeding-edge Gadget Junkie, Early adopter. Apple loyalist. Marketing and advertising exec who's been into tech since before the microprocessor."  We’ve known him since the dot.com days at Mullen, and happy to see he’s still fearless about new technologies. Sharp mind, inquisitive nature, and likeable style. Knows how to have an opinion without trampling yours. @donlorenzet 

Check out previous Katnip winners.
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Katnip Awards

Summertime. And the Katnip is easy.

Well, not so easy to earn. But very easy to loll around in. Here are this week’s winners.


Beauty & the Brains Award
Whether you want to get up to speed fast or stay in the know, be sure to follow this one. She’s the very charming, very smart Chief Content Officer for the very popular MarketingProfs . Somehow finds time to keep up her yummy personal blog, too. Her name is Ann Handley. Find her @MarketingProfs


Energy Booster Award
The fact that her day starts six hours before ours isn’t what give this winner a head start. It’s the pure positive stream that comes from her tweets. Always a warm welcome. Quick to jump in and play. When you see her avatar, you immediately feel better. Maybe that’s her Reiki magic. Maybe that’s just her. @Cynnergies


Ninja Wit Award
He speaks. He writes. He knows the ins & outs of Financial Aid and helped start PodCamp. But that’s not why we love this guy. Nope. It’s because he’s blindingly swift with lines like this. The fact that he likes his water frozen just makes him endearingly quirky. @cspenn


The Grass is Always Greenler Award
Spent 2 minutes reviewing his tweets, and you’ll see why thing always look better on his side of the lawn. This could also be called the "Glass Half Full" award. It goes to the Global Brand Marketer who knows how to share good content and spread good cheer. He’s got this appreciation thing down. See why you’ll appreciate him. @jgreenler


Has Everything But a Katnip Award
She claims to be the oldest working writer in advertising. Oddly, no one wants to take that crown away. What they can’t touch is that she’s one of the AdAge 150 power bloggers, #1 on Adweek's top marketers to follow on twitter, and the voice behind @BettyDraper. She shares awesome information on creativity, advertising, and life. Don’t be fooled by her name. She’s a high class dame all the way. @adbroad


Doctor Feel Good Award
His life-changing accident at age 25 set him on a relentless path to wellness. Now he gladly shares what he knows, encouraging others -- without ever being pushy. Gentle, kind, cheerful and wise. Even takes naps on Sundays. He’s a complementary & alternative medicine (CAM) practitioner, radio show host and avid fly fisherman. You must read his bio. If that doesn’t wow you, well, we’d have to check for your pulse. @ DocSpallone


SWAT Writer Award
She came in out of nowhere. And deftly took command. Funny, funny, funny. And the DM’s are only half of it. A “writer who tries to leave out the parts that people skip.” You won’t skip anything she says. A bit of a mischief maker. We like her even more for that. @kara_schwab


Hot Lips Award
You can’t miss the avatar of this one. One of the friendliest people we’ve met. She says her mission is to “spread love & cheer to others whenever I can; NOT on Twitter to sell anything or make money!!!” Oh, but Sharon could easily make a fortune as a Lip Model. @lebecross


These are all good tweeps, so spread the word. And check out previous winners in the archives here.

If you see someone you'd like to nominate, let us know.

The Katnip Awards

Bored with #FollowFridays on Twitter? Blinded by tweet-streams filled with @names and no idea why you care? Looking to have a little fun at the end of the week? I’ve got your answer.

Each week, I’ll give out 12 awards. Why 12? 12 in a dozen. 12 months. 12 apostles. 12 toes (oh, that’s just me?). If you don’t see your name here, don’t go claw the furniture or spray the front door. Your turn may be coming.

MVP Award

We could write an entire blog about why we admire this person. Heads up her own dynamo PR firm. Adored by many. Turns followers into friends. A genuine, caring soul. Smart, shares great content, and infinitely engaging. Did we mention the best laugh we’ve ever heard on twitter? The true queen of the Twitterverse, and a very benevolent ruler.
@ginidietrich


The Real Deal Award
Forget that a gazillion people worship at his feet. He didn’t ask for that. What he knows, he giadly gives away. A regular guy with a heart of gold and a mind that never quits or takes naps. @chrisbrogan


Highly Infectious Award
Upbeat without being rah-rah. Human. Sincere. Helpful. And great at introducing and connecting wonderful people. If there was a cure for her, I would advise against it. @StaciJShelton


Smartypants Award
Always interesting. Shares good stuff. Mixes it up with all kinds of people. Asks questions that draw you in. And is not afraid to be real or show heart. @smashadv.


Most Rabid Sportsfan Award
It was a tough contest and lots of fun watching them duke it out. But then @jeffmello talked about music, leaving this guy to cover the bases. Hands down, the winner is: @julito77


Business Tweet of the Week
He just got on Twitter, and this is why he's one to watch. @SethBrewer

Stealth Tweeter Award
So quiet, and then out of nowhere… BAM! Glad she didn’t stay incognito for long. @danamoos


Sophie's Choice Award
What can I say? It's my first week, and already I can't choose between these two. If you knew them, you'd understand. Fun, kind, interested in others, totally engaging. @justinthesouth AND @scott_farrell


Little Miss Sunshine Award
It’s early. First cup of tea. Caffeine has not kicked in. But she is there, and suddenly, you feel all better and can’t help smiling when you see her avatar. And she’ll always say hello. The value of this should never be underestimated. @jmbuckingham


Good Neighbor Award
The person on twitter that I wish lived next door. Always cheerful, always makes you feel important, and a great personality: @Blairsden


America’s Most Wanted Award
The biggest troublemaker, wanted for flagrantly flaunting all caps and creating massive mayhem. Also has deep moments. And a delightful smile. @ponet


Okay, that’s all folks. Be sure to congratulate the winners.

Maybe next week, it won’t be 12 awards! We’ll see. Want to get in on the fun? Get on twitter and say hi.