The first ever Notable Awards finalists are now posted. What are the Notable Awards you ask? Well, based on the finalists… my best description is the “91% Toronto Social Media Awards.” And while I’m a big fan of the folks like @JulianBrass and @JacNicosia at Notable, it seems to me that the awards have become a bit of a social circle stroke. Having read every one of the 112 bios of the nominated, I’m not going to mince words… there’s a lot of notably average people – which makes the clear winners quite obvious right away.

But, whatever… it’s fun and not really based on much so let’s have a little fun with it! I’m going to save you a ton of time and tell you who to vote for. You do it and then we can claim victory as the notable majority!

Deborah Goldblatt

Category: Media + Communications
Winner: Debra Goldblatt – @Debgee
Why: She’s the founder of Rock-it Promo. If you don’t know them, you’re likely not in the loop into the media + communications scene. She has tons of great clients and is definitely notable. Basically, in this over indulged category of about 20 options, she’s the one real standout.
Runner Up: Jamie Thompson, Founder of Adapt Media. Just doesn’t have the same pull as Debra does.
Vote For Debra!

Category: Community Impact
Winner:  Alyson Rowe – @AlysonRowe
Why:  She’s 100% dedicated to War Child. That’s enough as it is. Some of the others in the category are a little muddled and way to into themselves. She’s just doing the one thing really and not making a huge fan fare about it. Good for her. She deserves the win!
Runner Up: Dr. Teesha Morgan, works with KY Jelly and loves talking sex. As a fan of open discussion, points for her.
Vote for Alyson! 

Category: Lifestyle Services
Winner: Nadia Giosia – @BitchinKitchen
Why: Bitchin Kitchen is an awesome name for a cooking show. I’ve seen it and I find her a little bit annoying to be very honest, but she’s hot too so it’s a fair balance. The cooking is good mind you, as a big cooking fan myself I definitely can appreciate what she makes.
Runner Up:  Robert Sharp, co-founded a Gay/Lesbian travel company. It’s a good idea really.
Vote for Nadia!

Category: Law
Winner: Michelle Louise Simard
Why: Legal blah blah blah. Does some good pro bono work and donates cash. That’s decent. (My lawyer has advised me against saying anything else.)
Runner Up:  Jacinta N Kanakaratnam, supports Yonge St Mission, Brickworks, Sally Anne and more.
Vote for Michelle! 

Category: Culture Curators
Winner:  Anwar Mekhayech
Why: Director/Partner/Marketing at Design Agency. Was a co-host on Designer Guys, Arthouse and a few other things. Best of all, he supports the Sick Kids Hospital which is the main charity that I support. So that’s a good enough reason.
Runner Up: Adam Kirkman, he works with Toronto Fringe. That’s pretty cool.
Vote for Anwar!

Gail Ordogh

Category: Sports + Entertainment
Winner: Gail Ordogh – @gailgabrielle
Why: Well if you haven’t met Gail, you’re really missing out. If you do meet her, you’ll understand why she’s the only notable person on the damn nomination form. Everyone who’s met her, never forgets her, and not just because she’s hot. Sweetest woman ever. I’m not even including a Runner Up, because it wouldn’t be fair to them.
Vote for Gail!

Category: Entrepreneurs
Winner: Jeremy Gutsche – @JeremyGutsche
Why: I’ve had the priviedlge of working with Jeremy at Trend Hunter and know the great work they’re doing. Compared to a lot of other heavy content based sites, Jeremy is by far the most useful, interesting and fun. And with a much better office than the Runner Up below, that’s a good reason too.
Runner Up:  Brandon Koffler, FanXchange co-founder. I’ve never used the site, but I’ve heard about it. Unlike the other nominees.
Vote for Jeremy! 

Category: Future Builders
Winner:  Dallas Gislason – @DallasGislason
Why: Helps young people with a leadership curriculum and support consultancy. It sounds like it’s something really good and helpful to the future, and god… seems we’re really going to need some help in the future! So, yeah, encourage this guy by giving him some votes.
Runner Up:  Sunny Verma who owns TutorBright, and our idiot childrens need sum tutering way 2 much. lmfao.
Vote for Dallas!

Category: Finance
Winner:  No one. This is me throwing my support behind the #Occupy movement. You finance folks are into some shoddy games and you’re all on notice until the global economy is back on track!

Gillian Black

Category: Best Personal Brand
Winner:  Gillian Black – @TheRealGillianB
Why: Well… I’m not going to lie. I’m recommending voting for her because she’s ridiculously hot. She’s a health/wellness/yogabooty/workout etc woman, all notable things… and clearly it’s paying off! She needs to consult every woman ever. Just vote for her guys, girls… just do it. Go ahead.
Runner Up: Nat + Marie, sorry girls… I’m such a sucker for blondes. Go watch their show on Wednesday nights at natandmarie.com!
Vote for Gillian! (Bonus image if you voted for Gillian.)

Category: Architechture + Real Estate
Winner:  Matthew Slutsky – @iSlutsky
Why: Well, BuzzBuzzHome is a pretty cool idea. Seems a little notable so far. We’re not going to get into any specifics because basically it seems that both Matthew and our Runner Up, Cliff… are basically the same people in that their nomination forms are basically the same. And compared to the other options, they win.
Runner Up: Cliff Peskin, See above.
Vote for Matthew!

Val Stachurski

Category: Social Media
Winner:  Valerie Stachurski – @ValTorontoGal
Why: Let’s call a spade a spade, I have an investment in Val. Our web radio show is hopefully launching next week, and being able to make fun of her for winning a superfluous award which doesn’t mean anything but that she seems to be taking slightly seriously will make for great radio. Just do it!
Runner Up: Me! I’m not on it nor would I want to, but if she wins, I win and then you win. So we all win by her silly win.
Vote for Valerie!

Dave Coleman

Category: Internet Startup + Technology
Winner:  David Coleman – @DaveColeman
Why: No contest. The guy is involved in a very cool startup and from what I understand, keeps helping the company advance. That’s what this is all about right? Yeah it is. Also involved in some other cool projects, basically the guy knows Startups.
Runner Up:  Tera Dargavel is community manager with Kik. Smart girl, I know her a bit. Worth a backup vote.
Vote for David! 

PS. To Notable, the layout and inconsistencies isn’t congurent with the great quality you typically put out. The bitmappy pictures, the varying sized images, the spelling mistakes, the inconsistent number of nominated finalists (which leads me to believe you just accepted everyone – some have 5 finalists, others have almost 20,) all need to be remedied.

PSS. Where the hell are the god damned links guys?! No Twitter? No link to find their business? No Facebook? Come on Notable! If these folks are notable, give me a link to click on to learn more about them!