As one for whom the term netrepreneur or infopreneuer could have been created, John Jerome has seen the white light of business innovation converge around a great many ideas. Managing a full-spectrum of projects in the Web’s prismatic era, Jerome is now focused on 2004 with renewed, laser-like intensity. These days he is actually using laser technology to bring the next chapter of his digital journey to light.
The original founder/creative director of Redmond-based Parallel Communications, Jerome and associates helped design and develop the first standard advertising units for Prodigy, and then CompuServe in the early 90’s. Next, Jerome was invited to consult on the evolution of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and MSN where his business travels took him across Europe to brainstorm with other executives about what the Internet was going to look like and act like. Among the other clients/products that he took to market were US West Cellular, the technology division of United Parcel Service, and the repositioning of AT&T Wireless Services plus hundreds of other smaller technology companies such as Traveling Software maker of Lap Link and NetManage.
Seattle was a hotbed of new Internet technologies, and inside his Parallel agency was incubating the software program that would eventually became the ImageX online printing and procurement system. The ImageX system would move from Parallel to the birth of a new company and an eventual IPO of over $230 million (it has since been acquired by Kinko’s). An all-too-early retirement for Jerome soon followed leaving him time to manage his Net investments.
Now, almost a decade later, John Jerome is once again launching new companies and products. “One of the very cool things I’m working on is the development and introduction of laser signage and a laser system,” he told Seattle24x7. The system offers network-delivered messaging via animated neon signage at the point-of -sale. It delivers it all digitally, either via smart cards, broadband or over FM. There are numerous other entertainment applications for the laser technology. By next year’s Super Bowl, Jerome hopes that the laser light beam will “replace the yellow line first down marker used on the field and on TV for NFL football games,” replacing the marking chains of seasons’ past.
The laser company, LFI International of Factoria, is 27 years old, and has been a leader in laser entertainment shows ranging from halftime shows at the NFL Super Bowl, to presentations at the Grand Coulee Dam. Bringing new strategy and direction to an established company is an encore performance for Jerome.
“I’m also involved in launching the next generation of VPN’s, called EPN (Enhanced Private Networks), that brings together the efficiency of Net delivery with the security of Frame Relay systems. Another challenge I’m working on is how to take a great ERP product to market in an industry that is dominated by the big boys,” he remarked.
Where does Jerome see the next turn in the road ahead? “The bubble caused a lot of VCs to go into hibernation and, while many are still there, we’ve been in recovery for a couple of years now. I think 2004 is going to get significantly better. The Puget Sound has a higher degree of innovation taking place here than can be found almost anywhere else. The Internet is still the strongest method of providing people the information they want when they need it. I believe 2004 is going to get us back on track!” [24×7]
John Jerome is reapplying his focus on new technologies and new point-of-sale delivery systems with laser-like precision at LFI International.
