CNBC.com celebrated the launch of NetNet , the site’s latest vertical promising the “low-down and the high-jinx of Wall Street” and helmed by senior editor John Carney, on Wednesday night at Trinity Place in New York City’s financial district. WebNewser was there as attendees sipped on NetNet cocktails (aka Manhattans), indulged in a twee “Match the former financial exec” game, and took home tiny safes engraved with “NetNet.CNBC.com” in their swag bags.

CNBC president Mark Hoffman and CNBC.com VP and executive producer Meredith Stark were among those who convened to toast the site, which Hoffman called “the latest great addition to a phenomenal success story.” WebNewser caught up with Carney to talk about his role there and his vision for the site.

“I’ve always worked at really small places,” said Carney, who came aboard CNBC.com as senior editor in May after his position was eliminated at The Business Insider. “CNBC is giving me the freedom to do what I want to do,” he continued, adding and then later repeating that he felt “very welcome” at his new job. “I have the resources of CNBC behind me. I get to play in multiple mediums.”

WebNewser: What was the hardest part about getting the site up and running?

John Carney: “It’s difficult to find the right people to work with. You need somebody who understands the way blogs, news, and gossip all intersect, and they get that.”

W: What’s the most important quality you look for in a new hire?

JC: “Being a good writer and having a passion for financial news.”

W: What sets NetNet apart from its competitors?

JC: “In my mind, it’s audience-driven. Whatever an audience of Wall Street readers want to read, [we'll cover], rather than being topic-driven.”

W: What tools are you using to fuel that?

JC: “Twitter.” (@cnbcnetnet and @netnetdigest)

W: Why launch now?

JC: “Now is a very exciting time for Wall Street — having to adjust to all these new financial regulations.” NetNet will examine “what the new Wall Street will look like.”

W: Did you see Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps?
JC: “I saw it last night.” The verdict? “A surprisingly good and entertaining depiction of the financial crisis,” but not an iconic film like the original.

W: Did you check in on Foursquare?
JC: I should have.

W: What kind of phone do you have?
JC: iPhone and BlackBerry: “The iPhone is increasingly the phone of choice for corporate America.”

Photos by Jonathan Orenstein, courtesy of NBC Universal.

<!–[if !mso]> <! st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } –>

Q: What was the hardest part about getting the site up and running?

A: “It’s difficult to find the right people to work with. You need somebody who understands the way blogs, news, and gossip all intersect, and they get that.”

Q: What sets NetNet apart from other blogs?

A: “In my mind, it’s audience-driven. Whatever an audience of Wall Street readers want to read, [we'll cover], rather than being topic-driven.”

Q: What tools are you using to fuel that?

“Twitter.” @cnbcnetnet – run by everyone, curated tweets

@netnetdigest – an RSS feed of every single item

Q: Why launch now?
A: “Now is a very exciting time for Wall Street — having to adjust to all these new financial regulations.” NetNet will examine “what the new Wall Street will look like.”

“I’ve always worked at really small places,” said Carney, who <a href=”http://www.mediabistro.com/webnewser/john-carney-joins-cnbc-com_b5751” tareget=”_blank”>came aboard</a> CNBC.com as senior editor in May after his position <a href=”http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/revolving_door/john_carney_fired_from_business_insider_156271.asp” target=”_blank”>was eliminated</a> at The Business Insider. “CNBC is giving me the freedom to do what I want to do,” he continued, adding that he felt “very welcome” at his new job. “I have the resources of CNBC behind me. I get to play in multiple mediums.” Carney said eventually the site plans to provide digital videos to complement the blog posts.

Q: What’s the most important quality you look for in a new hire?
A: “Being a good writer and having a passion for financial news.”

Q: Did you see Wall Street 2 Money Never Sleeps?
A: I saw it last night.

The verdict? “A surprisingly good and entertaining depiction of the financial crisis,” but not an iconic film like the original.

Q: Did you check in on Foursquare?
A: I should have.

Q: What kind of phone do you have?
iPhone and BlackBerry. “The iPhone is increasingly the phone of choice for corporate America.”