Hello, all! Like many people, I’m starting to use Twitter more and more to consume news and communicate with the world at large. Particularly in the past year, I’ve found more uses for the service than I ever would’ve imagined. Today, I want to highlight some great personalities to start following thus year, as well as briefly talk about what value these people add to my timeline. I’ve decided to separate this up into a two-part series - the second part will be posted here tomorrow. These individuals are all poised to have a big year for various reasons, and they’re well worth following. Here goes for the first six!
1. Elon Musk 
| @elonmusk
Why: A new entrant to the world of Twitter, Musk is already shaking things up, both on and offline. A brilliant businessman, he was the cofounder of PayPal before proceeding to found electric car design company Tesla. These days, he splits time between running Tesla and managing SpaceX, his aeronautical company that aims to have regular flights to space running by 2013. In the meantime, the company is working on numerous government and scientific contracts. If you’re interested in getting inside the mind of an individual who is a business-minded scientific genius, check this guy out.
2. Lotay Yang | @Lotay
Why: Yang is the founder and chairman of the philanthropic-minded Black Card Circle, an organization that helps wealthy people recognize the power of giving and take action on that realization. He is continually setting up philanthropic events around the world, and seeks to divert as many resources to those in need as he can. An extremely active user, Yang frequently tweets words of wisdom and inspiration that apply to all. This guy is doing big things in the world of corporate giving and social responsibility, and his role is likely to increase in the year to come. A true inspiration.
3. Virgil Abloh | @virgilabloh
Why: As creative director for Kanye West, Abloh’s tweets are an eclectic mix of dispatches from around the world. Heavily involved in the contemporary art world, Abloh collaborated with Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci to dream up the album artwork and stage design for West’s Watch The Throne tour. He also runs RSVP Gallery, a boutique in Chicago, and is currently flying around the world providing creative direction and consulting to various fashion brands, artists on the GOOD Music record label, and of course West himself. One of the most innovative people in the global art and music industry, hands down.
4. Tim Ferriss | @tferriss
Why: A former neuroscientist at Princeton and now successful author, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and marketer, Ferriss is now being hailed as a visionary in the business world and beyond. His philosophies for balancing business, travel, and life are spot-on (check out The 4-Hour Work Week) and his advice on starting a business has been sought after by some of the fastest-growing startups around. Ferriss frequently tweets interesting quotes, links, and thought pieces of his own making. A must-follow.
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5. Eric Duvauchelle | @supermorebetter
Why: Currently residing in Amsterdam, Duvauchelle is the head Art Director for Nike’s Global Brand Initiative. Splitting time between his hometown, Portland, and Paris, he tweets about his travels, design aspirations, and upcoming projects with the ever-innovative Nike marketing team. Very forward focused.
6. Michael van Poppel | @mpoppel
Why: This enterprising 22 year old is the founder of BNO News, a wire agency based in the Netherlands that is redefining the way news is acquired, broken, and distributed. Van Poppel uses his extensive contacts and professional network to obtain news before it is broken by major news sources. Quite simply - if you need the latest news before anyone else knows about it, this is where to get it. Succinct, instantaneous, and accurate.
Alright, that’s all for now! Be on the lookout for the second half of this all-star lineup, coming later this week. Got anyone you think is well worth following? Feel free to leave a response in the comments.
