I think just "Mark Evans" would give you the most latitude to write about whatever you want -- or you could go with "Mark Evans on tech" or "Mark Evans on telecom" if you want to narrow it down. In the end I'm not sure the name really matters that much though -- it's all about the content.

i think you're right. it was worth a try!

cheers, mark

Pulling on my marketing hat, fact is your brand is "Mark Evans." Much better to support and reinforce that, first and foremost. Mark Evans, the brand, can mean whatever you want it to, is very portable, and as Mathew correctly states it is your content, delivery and accuracy which will serve to foster that brand meaning (assuming you don't do any paid advertising or PR). How consistently you deliver against the expectations you establish will be the primary measure of your brand's success. So far, so good I'd say.

Oh, and don't quit your day job: the fact that you are capable enough to hold the position you do at the Post provides you not only with a customer base for your blog but significantly enhances your credibility and therefore your brand (same for you, Mathew).

Keep up the great work, Mark, and Happy Holidays.

- Stuart

I had the same experience, Mark. I changed Alec Saunders .LOG to the very clever (or at least I thought) Res Ipsa Loquitur. Fewer people read the blog, and people were genuinely confused by who was writing it and what it was about.

So, go with Mark Evans. It's a good brand :)

"Mark Evans on tech issues from the Great White North"

I'm (obviously) happy to agree with all of the comments here so far. You are your brand.

How about "Mark Evans' Northern Reflections"? or "Mark Evans' Northern Lights"? I support the post above mentioning that Mark Evans has de facto become your "brand". FWIW....

Mark Evans: Telecom North

Hey Mark - I'm with you - the new name doesn't really work for me. Sounds too much like Nortel - which may not always be a good thing, and in a way makes you look partial to them at the expense of the other equipment vendors.

Also, the name makes it sound like your target audience is the US - they're the only ones who would ever think of Canada as "Northern". Again, this may be your intention, but your audience in your day job is here in Canada. So, there's a philosophical disconnect there - at least for me.

Regardless, as others have said, the brand is you - Mark Evans - that's what people look for - I don't think they care whether you're CDN or US. A tagline would still work for me - something that captures that your focus is Canadian telecom - like what your reader "Impact" suggests. That works.