Back then -- when I launched my first thoughts into the ether (at the prodding of digital media influencer and communications specialist Andy Abramson) -- I was CEO of video chat and community tech company SightSpeed (later acquired by Logitech in 2008). Next, CEO of video tech grand-daddy Sorenson Media. And now -- for almost nearly 2 years -- CEO of Manatt Digital Media. All of this follows a media/tech-focused career starting in a very non-entertainment kind of way for its first year -- i.e., as a law clerk for a federal judge (in Hawaii, no less!). Then, as an entertainment/media lawyer at a major firm (Paul, Hastings -- where my biggest client was notorious rap group N.W.A.). Which then morphed into increasingly senior business exec positions for 7 years in major media companies (Universal Studios, New Line Cinema, Savoy Pictures). A series of digital media start-ups followed -- first a 3 month blip at IPO-failing Egreetings at the "turn of the century" (more on that later). Next, eNow (later acquired by AOL under the name Relegence), which was my first real entrepreneurial operations role (COO) -- and, then, digital music pioneer Musicmatch, where I served as President & COO (and was later acquired -- and killed -- by Yahoo! for $160 million in 2004).
Why lay this all out?
Well, just indulge me if you have the patience, because this one is personal. Very.
Over my 25+ year professional career (my god, are you kidding me?), I have seen, lived amongst and internalized massive shifts in the worlds of media and tech (can you even imagine a world without the Internet and mobile?). I also have seen -- and lived and worked in the midst of -- both mega, "traditional" media companies (Universal Studios) and true startups scratching and scraping for their first investment dollars and revenues (eNow). And -- interestingly -- now just about everything in between. Quite rare, methinks (which is kinda' cool, also methinks).
From my earliest days, I digested and internalized the value of content and IP (which is now simply part of my DNA and which still drives virtually all of my writing ... and my business). I learned the art and value of "the deal" (and especially just getting the deal done! -- a lesson which I learned the hard way at times). I negotiated agreements and partnerships ranging from $1 to multi-billion dollar international joint ventures (Universal Studios Japan). I raised financing from VCs (and also certainly had a front-row seat to the rejection game). I built teams and ran companies (and saw a lot of what worked, and a lot of what didn't, in terms of leadership, dedication and tenacity). I sat on both sides (buy and sell) of the M&A table (most of which achieved their ultimate goal, including 3 of 4 ultimate exits for companies I helped lead). I worked with great talent (and also with execs who drove morale into the ground). I mentored great talent. I spoke (nay, frequently pontificated passionately). I wrote (more pontification). And, I had great fun (mostly, but certainly not always ... and certainly with much stress at times ... as do all entrepreneurs).
In as sense, I believe I have kind of seen it all in the world of media-meets-tech-meets-media.
Most of all, I'll repeat the concept of "fun" -- a general theme I hope to achieve each day and in everything I do. And, I'll underscore the one point that I am perhaps most proud of in my professional career -- that is, ultimately choosing a road less traveled. A road of more risk. Less certainty. And certainly not the direct one.
I made many gut Gladwell-ian "blink" decisions that took me from here to there along this non-linear path. Some of these were absolutely stupid and career head-scratchers at the time (including that 3 month "blip" at fast-tanking digital greeting company Egreetings - a decision my astute wife, Luisa, never understood from the very first). But, even that bone-head decision can't be "blamed" in retrospect, because that decision -- which seemed fatal to my career at the time -- led to each subsequent decision that, in turn, led me to the professional life I lead today. And, that professional life, which is based on a professional decision two years ago (that, in turn, ultimately flowed from that bonehead decision 15 years ago), is just plain great. It ties together all of these myriad strings along the way. Right here, right now, I can honestly write that I have never been more fulfilled professionally. I feel like I am doing exactly what I should be doing, right here, right now. And, that's a great feeling to have.
I have deep independence and am trusted (thanks for that Hale Boggs and Bill Quicksilver). And of special thanks, of course, to my best friend and brother since 2nd grade Chad Hummel, my fellow partner at Manatt who introduced me to this amazing opportunity in the first place. How cool is it that we now work together? And, how rare is that? Remarkable, really. I work closely with great, talented, innovative, dedicated people (absolutely essential ingredients). I am deeply immersed in the belly of the innovation and transformational media-meets-tech-meets-media beast. I have the privilege of continuous interaction and meetings with all players in the overall media/tech eco-system -- execs from major media companies and brands, agents/managers, financiers, entrepreneurs, press. Advising. Deal-making. Mentoring. Speaking. Writing. Continuously learning ...
I love it. Deeply love what I do. That's why I write. That's why I consider myself to be a journalist -- that label matters to me. And, it means a lot to me when I hear that some of my thoughts strike home and are meaningful to you (and when USA Today's long-time tech writer, Jefferson Graham, just called my Digital Media Update blog a "must read").
But, as cliche as this sounds, it is absolutely true -- my true passion is my amazing family led by my wife of nearly 20 years, Luisa (we first met in 1993), and our two extremely creative kids Hunter (our girl, 15) and Luca (our son, 12). Luisa is many many things -- but I'll focus on two critical qualities -- she is adventurous ... and fearless. And, she has instilled and deepened those qualities in me, enabling us both to take our circuitous (and frequently risky "without a net" path) that I absolutely recommend to everyone -- including Hunter and Luca. YOLO after all!
If nothing else, we have lived a life of passion. Not compromising. Doing what matters to us. Not doing what is expected of us.
It's been an exciting, frequently scary, ride. But, I truly wouldn't have done it any other way.
Thanks for being part of it. Reading these posts. Hopefully finding some nuggets of insights at times.
And sometimes just being amused by my musings ... because, amusement is a worthy goal in life in and of itself, right?