Time for another installment of our Logitech “Host with the Most” contestant interviews. Today we’re featuring Praneet Kailey, who is vying for the NY loft. A young, vivacious executive, Kailey has held positions with several high profile companies, including Oracle, Genentech, and the Crimson Consulting Group. Be sure to vote for her every day until August 20th if you truly feel is she the “Host with the Most”. Continue reading after the break for the full interview.

What initially attracted you to the “Host with the Most” contest?

This contest is pure brilliance! Not only will Logitech Revue and Google TV provide the potential hosts with incredible lofts and dream agendas to fulfill, they will be harnessing the best strategy to reach the masses: viral marketing! How could I NOT be attracted to this opportunity? This is one of those RARE chances to make history.  I am that girl next door… Wait a minute, the international version of the girl next door. I can relate to almost everybody and I have the open mind, compassion, and the unique ability to reach and relate to others.   I’m proud to be a connector…and I was attracted to the chance to truly put that gift to use and for a revolutionary product I am inspired by!

People want to share and bond with people who are like them, and they want to feel a common link and take comfort in what is familiar. They also may appreciate the tech-jargon, but after learning about what’s under the hood, most of us want to hear all about exactly what that translates to in our everyday lives, what it all means, and in a way your best friend would explain it to you. Who better to take honest, raw, enthusiastic advice from than someone who feels the same way? Having traveled the world leading a colorful and crazy life full of trials and tribulations, hard-work and determination, I am that approachable personality people will relate to! The ‘Host with the Most’ contest is made for me, the attraction was inevitable!

Do you have any previous experience with other Internet TV devices?

Other than having tried to make use of Apple TV, honestly, I don’t! …But I love the Internet and I love consuming media on the Web. That’s the frank and forthright truth of the matter…and I have to say, I am sure that millions of people are right there with me, right? I am excited by the idea of bringing the Web into my living room and I want to learn and know a whole lot more about Internet TV devices like Google TV with Logitech Revue. I want to really get fresh, unbiased, and clean information from a personal experience, and teach the world as I learn myself; step by step, hand in hand. I am that first time user who will be blown away by the limitless options this technology will bring to the table, and will naturally emit that new found burst of excitement and innovation to everyone!

What excites you about Internet TV, and what do you think Google TV and Logitech Revue will bring to the table over other platforms?

First and foremost, Google TV will be the software platform that drives hardware makers to new levels of innovation. Innovations and inventions like this inspire so much creativity in developers; the platform invites and encourages this with open arms. Logitech’s set top box will literally transform your TV into a computer giving you access to use Wi-Fi, keyboards and a mouse with your own TV in your own home.

This is about simplicity. The best thing about Google search is the simplicity of the search experience….Now you get that same simplicity with Google TV: search for your favorite shows, movies, channels, etc. AND simultaneously on that same active screen, browse web content all from your couch with the search bar you have grown to love on the Internet. This is no longer limited to a Tom Cruise sci-fi flick, it’s going to be our reality….well, the floating projection interactive stuff will perhaps come later…

The truth is that running on Google Android, which is an open source platform, provides big advantages for Google versus Apple’s iTV, Samsung’s TV, and all other walled gardens. The ability to customize the platform will open up doors for all types of developers as it gives them a code base to build on top of. Google TV also gives you complete access to the Android Market, which basically brings your favorite apps from your phone on to the TV as well. Can you imagine that? It’s absolutely incredible!

Again, the best part is, it’s not just a far-fetched concept were dreaming of, but rather it’s around the corner and ready to meet us! In fact, the very same apps we use to check email, buy DVDs, create lists, play games and sift through photos, will be interacted with on our TV screens while we watch a favorite show or Youtube clip (on the same screen still), simultaneously. It’s the dream gadget, like that universal remote control that helps make life easier, only much MUCH better… OK, FAR BETTER! It’s consolidation sent from tech heaven and its here to make our lives that much more productive, simple and fun.

So, the core reason this excites me is because it is all encompassing!!! I see Internet TV as a platform spanning across all types of media on TV and the Web.  The influence of Internet TV will scale across geo political boundaries and enhance our lives.

Will Google TV help bring about a change in the way TV and other media is distributed and viewed?

Absolutely! The Internet has revolutionized our way of life.  Electronic and print media has been transformed by the pervasive use of the Internet as a primary source of information and advertising. Google TV literally bridges the gap between the Internet and your TV — it brings the Web right into your living room so that you can consume traditional net-only -content like YouTube with your family and friends.  Who better to pioneer this type of a revolution than Google?! Google has made information available at our finger-tips free of cost.   Google has changed the way we live our lives.  It’s synonymous with search and the Google brand exemplifies the power of an evolving population demanding access to content on multiple platforms.

With the amount of content available online these days from sites like Hulu and Netflix, do you foresee a shift away from the traditional cable and satellite platform to a more open, Internet-based approach?

I sure do. The paradigm shift has already occurred and the monetization has been proven by Hulu and Netflix. The question is not IF Internet-based television will be successful, but when and who will be successful…in this case, its quite clear: Google TV with Logitech Revue will conquer this. Sites like YouTube and Hulu have taken consumers away from their TVs and has kept them engaged with their PCs for longer periods of time, and now take that same engagement level and bring the content back to the TV….Its outright brilliant and so very exciting!

The world is shifting from a free content delivery approach to the current world of selectable content delivery on a fee basis. Apple, for example, has forever changed that very consumer mind-set and led us to the world of media content delivered for a nominal fee.  Regardless, our current television structure with its umbrella contracts and restrictions has worn us all out. I for one am sick of limits. Google TV can empower our era to demand freedom and knowledge beyond the imagination of our status quo. This affords us the ability to cross reference the source of the data and to analyze this for ourselves as an unbiased worldview, as opposed to the existing conservative or liberal analysis.

Do you feel there is a large enough market for Google TV to be a success? Or will people see devices like Revue as just another box they don’t want to add in their living rooms?

The bottom line is that the Revue IS NOT just another box, rather it’s the companion box to have in order to make this all a reality! Through trial there will be proof, and through exposure there will be a buzz; this ‘box’ will become the most sought after item and we will all vie for a Revue box of our very own in due time.  Google TV has the advantage of addressing a global market, and will become a worldwide craze and must have…its only a matter of time!

Finally, if you are selected, how will you help Logitech promote the Revue and spread awareness of Google TV?

The greatest gift given to us humans is the ability to make others feel special. A smile, a word of encouragement, a gesture of appreciation, and/or helping hand knits our world and its citizens. I want to embrace these core values and connect with others from all walks of life. I think technology is the means to reach our goal of touching our world. My goal is to not to promote an agenda, but to promote the people….to make us feel informed, to feel valuable, and to let people know that our opinions and beliefs matter. This will continue to enable us all to embrace the power of connectivity beyond boundaries.

Having traveled so thoroughly and maintained incredible friendships with incredible people, I have a strong and powerful network. I know some pretty amazing people who have truly made a unique mark in this world (Philanthropists, sought after DJ’s, politicians, unstoppable entrepreneurs, community leaders, intellects, musical pioneers and sooo much more). I also know people on the rise and eager to make a difference in this world: good, solid, beautifully spirited people who I am lucky to have met. When you have these types of relationships as your foundation, your resources are limitless….and when you have a burning desire to meet and embrace as many new people as possible, from the manager of your corner store to a budding new artist, a curious bright child or a wise senior citizen, this power in numbers keeps on growing. Life is about connecting with others and that is how I would promote and spread awareness of the Revue and Google TV. The greatest part is, this product sees no age, sex, color, religion, race, creed or boundary…this is for EVERYONE! Not a single person would fail to benefit from and enjoy a phenomenon such as this.

I also luckily have a solid history with PR, advertising, event planning and marketing, ….you name it…drawing from those natural strengths of mine would be effortless and best of all, so so much fun! Did I mention FUN? My ideas are overflowing! I know how to have a good time and how to get the job done while doing so. The promotion would see no boundaries and the viral effect would be fabulous!

I see this as the chance to enable people. People are hungry to live, share and enhance their life experiences. I will promote these people through events and forums. The power is in the freedom of the people. If people can sense the opportunity of choice that Google TV with Logitech Revue offers them, they will naturally promote Google TV with Logitech Revue in return.  There is power in connecting, and when the people can connect limitlessly, they will be powerful!

Bio:

Praneet Kailey is young, vivacious executive with with an exceptional record of achievement and over 10 years of experience in marketing, communications and journalism.  She has graced roles with industry leaders such as Oracle, Genentech, and the Crimson Consulting Group.  She has worked closely with notable marketing heads and has managed corporate communications and PR in addition to philanthropic efforts with education foundations for children worldwide.

Miss Kailey is adept at leading business development initiatives by channeling social media expertise, and has aided the formation of online community relationships to increase public awareness.  She once held the title of Miss Northern California India and has thus hosted a wide array of large-scale community events in her past.

Praneet is in current pursuit of her Masters in Business Administration: Marketing, and is fond of traveling the world–In just this past year, she has spent significant time in Brazil, Russia, India, China, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, in addition to frequenting both California and New York City.  Her passions include dance (everything from Hip-Hop to the Argentine Tango), Social media (of course!) and her all encompassing love of sports and pop culture.

You can follow Praneet @PKailey on Twitter or search for her on Facebook: Praneet Kailey.

Well there you have it, and again if you think she is the lady for the job, vote for her every day until August 20th! If you are a contestant and would like to be featured on our site, feel free to contact us!