I chatted this week with Joe Marchese, Co-Founder and President of SocialVibe, the only social network that allows users to transform their time online and their presence on social networks into real charitable donations. He talked to me about his venture funded social startup SocialVibe’s opportunities, practices and future.

Me : Please tell our readers about your background and your role in the ‘SocialVibe’?
Joe Marchese : I am a co-founder and President of SocialVibe. Before SocialVibe I had a chance to work either at, or as a consultant for a lot of great Internet companies such as Monster.com.

Me : How did you decide “SocialVibe” as a name for your website and “Charity” as theme?
Joe Marchese : The original name was actually something different, but we couldn’t get the domain. However, the first time we heard SocialVibe it felt right in a lot of ways, so I guess we were lucky the domain squatter wouldn’t sell the domain we originally wanted. When we founded SocialVibe, the idea was simply that people controlled all the valuable attention and influence that brands wanted and that the people should get to decide how that value gets shared. We weren’t “charity themed”, we were actually “member choice” themed. SocialVibe members just kept telling us that charity was the most important thing and SocialVibe evolved to best serve what our members asked for. That’s the way we will always be. It’s the only way social media survives.

Me : What you think about “SocialVibe”? It’s just a ’social networking for good cause’ or… ?
Joe Marchese : I think SocialVibe is something that gives people the opportunity to social network for a good cause. But like so many things social, it’s about making SocialVibe your own. Some people love the brands, some people love the causes and some people just love SocialVibe. In the end we want to make social networking more fun and more rewarding. We are not general social network, there are lots of those and two in particular that really own the market in that area. SocialVibe is each individual’s opportunity to turn the numerous activities they do in their online social lives into something meaningful for them and their charities.

Me : What makes “SocialVibe” different from other websites competing in your area?
Joe Marchese : The patent work on the targeting, distribution and measurement systems ;-)

I don’t know that there is anyone doing what we are doing, but then again if I thought there was we wouldn’t have started this business. The idea that people can band together online to make a very big difference in the real world is what social media is all about. From pictures at parties to campaign donations during this election cycle, it’s all about the power of people when they come together being so great as to change how business is done. From how charities raise money and awareness to how people can affect the brands they love. All because in social media, people are media and only with people’s explicit permission can brands find their way into social media. SocialVibe tries to recognize all of this.

Me : What are the major trends and myths in your industry?
Joe Marchese : In social networking, it’s all about over saturation. People can only maintain so many social nets, but there are new niche social networks popping up every day. So the question is why will I not just register, but spend time with this social network, or social media property. In social media advertising, it’s all about discovery. What works, what doesn’t and how do we prove it. What are the metrics that will drive efficiency in social media advertising.

Me : When you evaluate a business plan/technology, what’s the most critical element you look for?
Joe Marchese : How simple is the big idea. The biggest ideas are not horribly complex when you break them down. Other people need to understand your vision when you’re bringing together the team that’s going to execute. It’s the execution of those big ideas where the complexities live. If you start with a complex idea it only gets worse when you get into details.

Me : What is your eventual goal with SocialVibe?
Joe Marchese : To shift the proportional brand advertising dollars into social media in an appropriate manner. Meaning brands are able to allocate large budgets to social media initiatives, but they are able to do it in a way that benefits social networking communities, members of SocialVibe and the charities that matter to them.

Me : Where do you see SocialVibe in the next 5 years? What about you personally?
Joe Marchese : HA! 5 years? I was wrong last month about where I would be today. In all seriousness, I see Socialvibe as setting the standard for how people interact with brands and driving major brand dollars towards the social networks.

Me : What’s the thing you are most proud of?
Joe Marchese : There are three things I am most proud of today. In no particular order – 1. The team here at SocialVibe. There is a group of professionals here that I am so proud to be working with. Experts in their fields and all around good people. 2. The fact that SocialVibe’s members have chosen to make a real difference in the world and that we are helping them do it, while solving a major pain point in the brand advertising industry. 3. I am extremely proud that my Fiancé said YES just recently!

Me : At last, would you ever want to be an entrepreneur?
Joe Marchese : I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I wrote my first business plan and took it to angle groups in Boston at 19. I am sure I will always be an entrepreneur. There is something about building something from nothing that makes people’s lives better or easier. It’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done.