Dear Valued Read

Let say I told a story about me being on a small Island owned by an exccentric guy who also have started space turism.

Lets say the island had infinite sun, the most amasing villaes, unbelieable staff, food from heaven, sunscreen all over, any kind of sport you want to try – tennis, basketball…watersports…

Lets pretend I was there on a mission to actually do some for real about climate change.

Lets say I was invited together with world class speakers… And lets pretend that the discussion was so untangible due to the difference between people who understand politics – other people who really get business and scientists who are rteally world class – simply all leaders in their different fields…

Let say that it was extremely hard for me to understand what the McKinsey guys actually ment when they presented their roadmap for carbon…

Let say that the leader of Scripps (Tony, scientist and now a friend) gave a presentation that scared me – and only as a bisentece said that salmon somehow had disapeared from California this year…

Let say I told you that we had the meetings outside in a balinese temple – lets say we had world class food, and bonfires at nights – lots of drinks and acted foolish – had lots of fun and at the same time i really started to get a little zimmering feeling in my stomach when I started to understand who difficult this climate situation actually is…

Lets say that after the 3 days of meeting, I was invited to go with a new friend* in his Jet to Miami (despite what Jets contributes to Carbon) – and lets say Im taking of in 1h.

Would you believe it? (I would not).

*who – along with his family, live in villages and cities around the Third World using hands-on perspective and eyeball to eyeball connection to conceive, develop and operate economic opportunity, training and leadership programs in countries including Rwanda, Afghanistan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Palestine. Programs include Teacher Training, Leadership Training, Micro Enterprise, and Peace and Reconciliation Efforts

Just found this after a great night of being sleepless in Puerto Rico – try it and beat me /its DIFFICULT

I have seen a lot of good TED stuff but nothing like this. Integrity and brainy – one nice honest person.

Yes I’m under extreme pressure. Nothing to hide!!

I’m going to next level of radical truth – after going trough hell and having survived mentally only from the backup from my enormous network in the real world (100= days of traveling pr year), on this blog, facebook linked and twitter…

1 Testing the friend – myth

Everyone has told me that it’s now I will see who my real friends are. And I’m very positively surprised. Everyone + people who are not close has been extremely supportive. The actual price of my friendship has a rate :) – to make my survival fund/bailout.

Best sms from a very strong investor/entrepreneur: “Hey Morten – let me know if you need cash for kids and their schools. We don’t leave soldiers behind”.

2 : Killing negative and conspiracy

I have ALONE TAKEN ALL DECISIONS – and no one (nothing) from outside can be blamed. I have quite some people writing me – to tell how stupid the system is and how everyone tries to cheat.. Thats not my mindset – and not my experience – and don’t write me to get support in that direction.

Best live ACT (proof): – a fantastic guys (not overdressed) went to the tv-studio where  was interviewed – and told me how much the system had been after him… I was very flattered that he went all the way – but had to state that blaming society and conspiracy is NOT ME. Then he gave me a handwritten bizcard – and told me that no matter what I could have his Mac Book Pro. (I was so moved).

3 : Saying – S.O.R.R.Y.

Behaving civilized (not something I normally do all the time) is to solve conflicts. I’m so happy mentally that I don’t have “aggressive daytime visions” anymore about:
A: the guys who took me down
B: how to ever solve my extreme dept generated from the paper.

Its feel like my ass is itching and my arms are to short to do anything about it… But I will invent a mechanism to itch back.

Best phone call: I had BIG TROUBLE calling my guy at the bank during the last many years. He is such a good guy and said: “we will get into fights – but you have been helping so many people and always acted with 100% integrity – so I will try as well”. WOW

4 : Financial Tsunami

When the whole world is collapsing and even USA is on socialistic capitalism (bailout after bailout). Then I’m not very sure that I could sell any companies for the next 24months anyway – the Danish banks are OUT OF MONEY – and all my smaller portfolio companies have been called (means asked to pay their dept) with a 2days notice. Its bad, but also = oppertunity.

5 : Believing my own bullshit

I still do (mostly) and to me “risk equals = reward”. And note that Im serious about not beliving in failure (its Anthony Robbins bullshit but I use it) – its just another experience and I’m used to it and I can and will handle it.

6 : Moving on

I trust in myself (thanx Mum) – I fucked up – but I will solve it. And just 3 days after disaster – Im still getting 1-3 opportunity a day (and looking at the backlog of 200+). And I will be back before you can say – WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED.

7 : You may that I’m a dreamer

– but Im not the only one. Again thank you for the 3000+ support mails, comments, sms’s, facebook notes.

Funniest facebook message: “I will make u Swedish meatballs and potatoes for free – if u will help me and my friend with our biz – and my mom thinks u r hot.” :) (What the fuck is that about)

no 8 and 9.

Should have been something about green-tech – but I’m looking at a new project that gives my system goosebums – and I’m not ready write about it.

10 : My portfolio

I cant speak about it – rules are rules. But look at the rest of the bullet point and do the math. But I can say that 25% of my portfolio is closing down due to the crisis – startups are so 1999 these days. :(

Will I miss anything. Only two things: My house (if I loose it – it looks like it) and Paying for all kinds of dinners (all over the world). I have payed for 99% of all dinners I have attended the last 10 years – and I like it much more then the other way around. But again – its NOTHING.

Have a great day – and don’t worry about me – it’s 99% about materialistic problems (rich people thinking about what pink hearths in diamonds they want to buy for their stinking ugly dog). There are real problems out there – Go solve them.

PS. Leave a comment. Don’t be soft or unnecessary positive :) – lets go for radical truth.

(The day I lost my legs and arms part II)

I’m now 5months past closing my newspaper, and it has been ugly – ugly – ugly. I have been using a LOT of mental power to get around this situation and through it. Family, Partners, Banks, Banks, Creditors have been VERY understanding and I have been working like a dog to get through, especially mentally – getting my mind off the huge defeat it was to lose:

a big bet and
a big team
a big dream
quite a lot of money
my head (for some time)
– and then refocusing and coming back to what I’m (supposedly) good at: Starting companies – catapulting people and ideas into reality – and identifying where (big) money meets stellar executors/executable visions.

But I need to confess (I was insecure + afraid + a self-centered dickhead towards 2 of my own soldiers) – but I can only see that now.

I have had a fallout with 2 guys from top management Svenn and Morten, and quite a lot of mud has thrown around. And I have been furious and felt that I was a victim – and I felt these guys where wrong/washing hands/burning me to look good/not sharing responsibility. But Monday this week at a pre-courtroom meeting I realized that it’s all about me being stupid and selfish and NOT LIVING UP TO THE ETHICS I WANT TO – put simply, I realized that my behavior was completely wrong (and yes it took me 5months). But I never had a lawsuit filed against me, never had to appear in court before and I intend to keep it like that. It took quite some time – but Im not too proud to change my mind and give a GIANT APOLOGY !

1) Jan/Feb 2008 I did a deal with my TOP management – I personally underwrote a 1 year salary compensation and some super-warrants (In case the venture should fail) – because I believed in them. I gave them my word.

2) Until the last day Morten (and Svenn) worked like hell – were present 24/7- hyper energetic – always very very very loyal – and hard as steel towards anyone who dared to say anything wrong about the project. Even the final “standing up in front of all employees” – they offered to take care of.

THE FALL OUT WITH TOP MANAGEMENT (Svenn and Morten)

3) During closing I was – scared like hell – didn’t dare to think through all consequences – Chose to listen to the advise of lawyers who didnt know what they were doing – and where our documents where.

3a) Monday morning 8.00 – I told Svenn and Morten that I would keep my word – but would have trouble honoring the money on time – and they would have to wait and help out – I would pay whatever urgent bills and do everything I could. I kept my word! They told me directly: We want our deal – not talk (hey, that’s my motto). NOTE: I was stupid – and I was not negotiating, just demanding – and felt they should suffer with me (also financially) and I did not think about Svenn and Morten’s security and real life economy. They where looking at a guy who just burned 150mio(DKR) – traveled the world – WAS very rich – talked about billions – and had no chance of knowing that I was at the time 99% bankrupt despite my huge portfolio – used private jets – had an art collection – was a clean tech (wannabe three-hugger) investor….

4) Tuesday one week later – During that upcoming week I did not dare to call Svenn and Morten – since I was not myself in the storm! And my x-lawfirm told me that the contract with TOP MANAGEMENT had never been signed – I made one of the worst mistakes of my life (confused, afraid and full of self pity) – I told Morten and Svenn that the contract was not signed and that I would not honour it. I broke my own rule number one I RAN FROM MY WORD – and of course they got insanely mad. I would have gone ballistic as well. Eepecially as the signed contract was at my x-lawfirms other office (Svenn used them). The rest is well know – I was accused of everything possible – and had to defend myself – (of course I had done nothing even remotely illegal – but I was blamed and hurt like very few Danish entrepreneurs my age – actually I felt as if I had lost my arms and legs) – as a guy who runs from his word deserves.

5) Until Monday this week – I had to deal with very strong self pity and emotions against Svenn and Morten – and I felt betrayed (called them the silliest names in the media) – but also – probably because my situation is not solved*. But with the Gaza conflict in mind I had an epiphany and realised that I needed to keep things in perspective. I realized that my situation was more than 90% my own fault – and in the bigger picture my troubles are so small and such wast of good energy, time and money – If I can’t solve my own shit how can there be any hope. Secondly, I have to state that I have been way too close to seeing how you can bend rules and how weak contracts really are (and how much I could have used it – and could be forced to use it) – I’m simply scared that once you end up being on the other side using the rules and the system to postpone simple things, you can’t go back. And therefore this:

Dear Morten and Svenn – I have been acting in a selfish, demanding, foolish way and I did not keep my word. Im sorry – I will of course do so (when possible). And I fully understand that you guys wanted to set me under fire – I would have done worse things if a idiot had not kept his word to me. My deepest and biggest apologies!

*but Im close banks and everyone else has been all cool – and if I will go bankrupt it’s due to the financial crisis on top of this unwise paper investment. My portfolio is GOOD and STRONG – but all creditlines to companies are being called in and some are dying). I have had some legal meetings around this – and felt so bad about it.

I have to finish off with the song from Nike’s Olympics commercial: I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier – and next time I will honour my word to my soldiers.

ps. this is what it looks like: A way to get peace in my soul – and focus on the important stuff. I could easily take 24months in court and get at huge discount on the amount – my new legal guys are fantastic (and hate me for writing this). It’s just not me and its not gonna happen – time spent in court is time wasted!

read to title again

Im in a weird stage of my life – so insecure and jet so full of power and new ideas and hope for the post financial crisis… At Leweb I tried not to say anything planned – just talk from the top of my brain.

And I have to say that I get so nervous everytime – but love the effect everytime – 50-100 emails from people who where moved (felt a change in their life) from my silly ideas…

CNN is showing something as unTV’ish as can be – they are celebrating a good stories and good people. No killings and disaster tonight!!!!! Heroes is all about normal people who makes a difference – read more at CNN.com/heroes

And also read about the worlds coolest (and luckiest) nanny…

And suddenly I remember the founder of CNN – Mr. UberCOOL – Ted Turner:

In 1998, Turner pledged to donate $1 billion of his then $3 billion to United Nations causes, and created the United Nations Foundation to administer the gift. The foundation “builds and implements public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach.” In 2006, the foundation delivered its billionth dollar to UN causes — $600m of which came from Turner and $400m from public and private partners. Turner has pledged to use the remaining $400m of his commitment to leverage additional funds for UN causes and activities.

Sime.nu in Stokholm was a fantastic event for the online and new media industry – the energy is second to none – and ONLY Ola Alverson (and his energy bomb team) can give this event to SPARK as it does… AMASING. 1200 people showing up in the middle of ressesion – and all smiles and power to change is just fantastic.

I spoke first time at Sime 1998 – and I love the show and profesionalism SO MUCH.

Here is some of the video (wacked crazy as it is)

SIME 08 – Morten Lund from SIME on Vimeo.

NOTE: I’m not a shareholder in any way shape or form – and not related to Result!!!

PLEASE WATH THIS VIDEO

This is probobly the best pratical joke ever – and most sizeable..

The TheYesMen.org (UPDATED) made 1,2mio copies of a fake and VERY POSITIVE version of New York Times – and distributed them yesterday. Stating that the war in Iraq is over, ads telling that all the bad guy companies in Iraq will know help USA with building infrastructure…. READ the full story here

This a true example on people who ACT – dont talk…

(one a day where I got on t-shirts)

A chat with Peter a my room
The Pirate Bay has 60% of all BitTorrent trafic – and BitTorrent trafic is 80% of all internet trafic. Im nearly lost my ears when i heard that. (Im getting really handicapped – no legs no arms and now..)

A chat with Dan Dubno on the street
There probobly where some weapons of massdistruction in Iraq – and they where distributed to the countries around… (scary). More scary is the fact that – due to the extreme speed of developement in technology and knowledge sharing – its proboly gonno be very possible to make a Nuclear Bomb in 10 years… And scientists have geneticly modyfied human shit to smell like banana… (sorry Dear Reader its not nice info) – but the point from Dan D is that chemical warfare posibilities will be CRAZY OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS- imagine a chimical injected into water in Israel that would make all men sterile (SCARY – but scientist can do it (Dan is pretty/very much jewish thereor this example – darn Im turning political correct/afraid)….

Lunch with Nobert Teufelberger, CEO BWIN
Nobert made it pretty clear to me that Deutche Bank would have gone down if AIG would not have been saved by the bail out plan.. Also I got a lot of interesting knowledge about the worlds number one gambling brand (sponsor at Real Madrid and Milan) – but I can tell :)… (sorry)

I’m so ever impressed with Google Applications – www.google.com/a – and this blogpost show why

Im using it for Mail, Controling family mail, Writing docs, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Blogs…. Im nearly not using The Office Suite anymore…

One question: “How’s it hanging over there in Redmond?”

Quote: “You not naive enough to believe we live in a democracy – buddy – its the free market” – the whole world have been believing in this bullshit from an old movie…. wow.

If someone had just shown this to Greenspan – he might not have been Greenspank now… But very straight and a real person (just shows that controle is beyond hard)- Quote: “I did not really get it”…see interview

PS. the real gaga was around last week when lost of big funds wnated the markets closed for 1-2 weeks – until stability would be around – but hey – no one asked for that after yesterdays US stocks 11% up…

Someone (maybe me) did this very simple to inspire and kick start your inner entrepreneur… Everyone and his dog is talking about recession – and NEARLY EVERYONE is HIT. But lets turn it upside down – this is the period of time where opportunity is MAX.

WARNING: its simple – not original / copy / paste / emotional.

I was speaking at the Art Directors Club in Berlin last week – and I got really passionate after a Speakers Dinner at a fantastic club the night before. These guys are all – smart – clever – good at thinking creatively and really (most of them) born to make change. (And they where mostly very cool – but – well – 30% of them not really proud of their work). So I gave this pretty hard – for germany – short pre presentation.

My bonus – was to meet Ralf Schmerberg – the guy behind this amassing Nike Video and the fantastic Dropping Knowledge (enjoy the start video). Im really moved by his way of looking at things – and the impact his visuals have…

In Denmark – we have a 100% tax sponsored national radio, tv and www.dr.dk – it’s second to none the most amasing television and radio and web you can find. Journalist are top dogs and the quality of the entertainment-  the produce is killer. On top of that the kids content is propably the best in the world (but only in Danish). This institution (Danish Radio) also run a yearly event called http://www.newmediadays.dk/

“New Media Days is where Scandinavian professionals from both traditional and new media converge to create the media of tomorrow. The event takes place in Copenhagen on October 8-9 2008 and will bring together more than 800 participants from all parts of the media world.”

– a pretty good event (you can say that its Reboot 24 months delayed – but Reboot is always extremely forefront – so that OK). What really really makes me wonder – is the fact that they yesterday gave the Special Price of Hornor to Lisbeth Knudsen – head of Berlingske Media – stating that she’s has done something special over the last years for the industry – reality is that they have done some beautifull websites and some pretty interesting restructuring but NOTHING SPECIAL consindering that they are a media company. That so fucked up. They could have given Lisbeth the price for being one of the most intelligent Danes – but the audience really showed how little they have interest in New Media by this choice – straight crazy.

DBA should ofcourse have had the price (transforming a paper to the most profitable Danish online company – but they dont do conferences – they work hard) or
Mygdal (one man army innovating for real – and challenging the whole world with his persistant brilliant mind)- or
Euroinvestor.dk (very profitable) or
Freeway should have been reelected – or
Mediaprovider.dk‘s founders – or

Ekstra Bladet (Soren is good and smart – and get insane CPM for showing naked Girls (side 9 is about 33% of all trafic) ;)

And I dont even want to comment on the fact that DR’s own website Bonanze won a price as well…

Last week I had the incredible fortune to meet with Richard Branson – after he invited me into his latest project. I cant say much – its about enviroment. What I can say though – is that the mann and his team is even more impressive then he apears when you read about his power and balls.

To be continued.

Imagine what a brand can do – and then think again. First Mr. Buffet took Goldman Sachs in an insane deal – and got shares at a silly price including interest + and unheard of option package. And now he took GE shares preferred – just because EVERYONE NEEDS his name. That’s BRAND VALUE!!

The only “problem” for him – is that if he keeps his growthrate – he will own all cash in the world in 30years ;)

And i have to bring my favrite quote again:

“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.”

Dear valued reader – I want to share a possitive story with you.

Via one of the funds I’m involved with im very proud to be investor in Httpool.com in Slovenia – and it really lives up to my number one criteria: GOOD PEOPLE. The team is outstanding and the growth is stellar – the plan is to build the largest global ad network focused on emerging markets.. And VCs from all over the world are now head over heals to get in. As always it will take another couple of years to become worth 200mio€ – but Im 100% confident it will.

About the Company (Well besicly its an online advertising network)
Established in 2000, Httpool is the leading Central and Eastern European full service online
advertising provider, with international reach and focus on emerging markets. Httpool is an
optimal partner for international clients addressing emerging markets, local advertisers
seeking a one-stop solution, large publishers struggling to monetize their international traffic,
and local publishers trying to increase their revenue potential through diversified advertising
and international budgets

SOME OF THE KEY STATISTICS HIGHLIGHTINGS STRENGTHS
1. 10 offices in Central and Eastern Europe, Germany and the United States,
2. 25+ international partnerships with major networks, exchanges and publishers,
3. 50+ online media specialists across 10 offices,
4. 1B+ monthly impressions on 3.000+ sites,
5. 2.000+ successful campaigns for 600+ referential clients in 2007,
6. 36% market share and 90%+ reach on markets established prior 2008,
7. Proprietary leading contextual advertising solution in Southeastern Europe,
8. World-class technologies; from DCLK, RMX, nugg.ad to SearchForce.

I have been looking at 20-30 different companies/ideas/people – to try make a business out of helping companies (with an online presence) to have more success (GET MORE TRAFFIC and SELL MORE) with search engines and online marketing. Its an obviuos KILELR BUSINESS if its done right.

If you know an english service like this – please put a link in the comments.

Im thingking SEO – bot aswords or banners. Within the banner advertising and affiliate network area we have since the very early days seen big companies – DounbleClick, 24/4, TradeDoubler, Zanox and many more – but no one has really been able to put SEO on bottles and sell it as a service yet.

I think Mr. Demib (the wacky Danish super SEO master) has found a way – where online properties can really gain value – no english site yet – see http://www.seosupport.dk – its advisory meets consulting meets elearning – and will be HUGE – Everybody and his dog need help to understand the world of SEO.