For the last couple weeks, I’ve been tweeting a ton about “big decisions” that are on the horizon. The truth is I came to a major cross roads career wise and geographically. I had to evaluate where I was going and what I was doing career wise, but, also had to look at personal happiness. With that, came the decision to leave BillShrink to join MySpace.
Why leave BillShrink?
First, why am I leaving BillShrink even though they are one of the hottest startups I know? I joined because I was dying for an opportunity to really help impact the growth of a business. Of course, there were challenges (nothing is all cupcakes, sunshine, and rainbows, contrary to popular belief), which led to a post on Inhouse SEO Resource Constraints. But, the biggest driver of me leaving BillShrink was that I miss Los Angeles and the technology ecosystem way more than any other city.
I have had the ability to truly impact the BillShrink business from a marketing standpoint in regards to SEO, Social Media, and content. More importantly, I had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazingly talented people. BillShrink truly is one of the coolest technology products I have seen in some time.
MySpace?!?!
Some of you have already asked the question (in your head or even out loud): “Why MySpace?!” I thought long and hard about building out my Internet Marketing and Incubation consulting practice of Visible Factors. But, at the end of the day, the best opportunity was one that I was excited about 6 months ago when I first started talking to MySpace and still am to this day.
There are many people I truly respect, former colleagues, and friends that I’ll be able to work with at MySpace. And, I am excited to have an opportunity be a part of the rejuvenation of the brand, confident about where things are going, and hope to make a massive impact on their business. The post about their youthful reincarnation in USA today with Mike Jones and Jason Hirschhorn talking about the company, only solidified to me that this was the right move with the right leadership.
Finally, I am VERY excited to be back in Los Angeles and a part of the Technology ecosystem that I grew up with and came to truly love while I was working at Yahoo!. I’m also very excited to get more time to writing (both marketing/technology and creative) and working on interesting projects that I have been putting off.
There are 18 comments
See you soon! Congratulations Tony.
Thanks Scott! We'll definitely have to get together when I'm back in town!
Already? SF too cold? Welcome back!
I'm so ronery… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh_9QhRzJEs
Your pal in northern Cali, Jenny
If you can truly help the brand turn around I say go for it! That is what makes it fun!
Congrats homie!
Glad to have you back….best of luck with your new adventure at MySpace.
Congrats to both you and us. This is going to be a big year.
ooo are you going to work with sean percival? lol
Welcome back! OMG – missed you and it's going to be #oldtimes
Congrats Tony. It's going to be a fun adventure.
Pretty up the old digs for Moi 🙂 Congrats! Hope I was helpful. You will rock it and KenYamada is an awesome Technical SEO. You are lucky to have him as as coworker. I miss him 🙁
And Abe Thomas Rocks as not only a manager but a mentor. I'll have to tell you about all the ways I'm thankful for having had hi in my professional life.
It's been amazing to see how many people (here at SXSW this week) are so excited about you going back to LA. You're going to rock it (no pun intended) at MySpace!
Welcome to the 'Space 🙂 It's gonna be a fun year!
Your colleagues across the pond
Congrats and welcome back to LaLaLand!
Tony: wow, I had no idea. Just saw on your facebook that you were going to be at the Docstoc event .. lets catch up. I am glad that you are back here.. we need some tech leaders in LA.
Congrats, Tony! What's your job function / title at MySpace? I didn't see that in your post.