Moving on
Today marks day one of my next big professional adventure. I left Yahoo a couple weeks ago -- I was at Yahoo (News) for almost five years, and it was simply time to move on.
The new job is with a relative startup in Palo Alto, Tonic (http://tonic.com), where I'll be Editor and Director of Content. It's going to be a huge job and, as a friend stated to me a few days ago, is going to be a roller coaster ride. I won't go into too much detail about the gig or company now, but let's just say I wouldn't have left Yahoo unless it was the absolute right thing, and I think this is it. It's going to be a big growth opportunity for me, and I'm thrilled.
More to come on Tonic, but suffice to say that I think we're going to do great things. You can visit the site and get a feel for what it's all about (but keep in mind that everything is changing, and will be improving).
I've only ever been with one true startup and it wasn't even a technology company, it was a magazine. But startup life is all coming back to me now: scrapping for parking on side streets, going out for lunch and coffee, impromptu conversations that can shape the entire company... it's so much fun. I don't have a telephone on my desk. I'll be sharing an office with two people. Tomorrow, we're going on an Office Depot run to stock up on supplies. I sent an email today to everyone at the company. The total experience couldn't be more different than Yahoo.
Speaking of, Yahoo News kicks ass and will continue to be great. Yahoo may be generally in a funk, but News is an incredible operation on so many different levels. It really is the people that make it so great. I've seen a lot of folks come and go over the years, and this time it was my turn to walk away. The engineering team, the designers, product folks, the editors.... Y News is successful because there are so many smart and talented people behind it.
The same is true for Tonic. I can't wait to see where we go.
The new job is with a relative startup in Palo Alto, Tonic (http://tonic.com), where I'll be Editor and Director of Content. It's going to be a huge job and, as a friend stated to me a few days ago, is going to be a roller coaster ride. I won't go into too much detail about the gig or company now, but let's just say I wouldn't have left Yahoo unless it was the absolute right thing, and I think this is it. It's going to be a big growth opportunity for me, and I'm thrilled.
More to come on Tonic, but suffice to say that I think we're going to do great things. You can visit the site and get a feel for what it's all about (but keep in mind that everything is changing, and will be improving).
I've only ever been with one true startup and it wasn't even a technology company, it was a magazine. But startup life is all coming back to me now: scrapping for parking on side streets, going out for lunch and coffee, impromptu conversations that can shape the entire company... it's so much fun. I don't have a telephone on my desk. I'll be sharing an office with two people. Tomorrow, we're going on an Office Depot run to stock up on supplies. I sent an email today to everyone at the company. The total experience couldn't be more different than Yahoo.
Speaking of, Yahoo News kicks ass and will continue to be great. Yahoo may be generally in a funk, but News is an incredible operation on so many different levels. It really is the people that make it so great. I've seen a lot of folks come and go over the years, and this time it was my turn to walk away. The engineering team, the designers, product folks, the editors.... Y News is successful because there are so many smart and talented people behind it.
The same is true for Tonic. I can't wait to see where we go.
Comments
Hey Steve, sad to see you go but very excited for you. Tonic looks promising and love the intentions. I think I know someone a Greendimes.
Good luck with your new venture.
Posted by: Ryan | November 25, 2008 09:42 AM
Start-ups rock. I worked for two and they were the best jobs I ever had. Incredible to be a part of something totally new without someone saying "yeah. we tried that already",lol. Best of luck!
Posted by: Eve | February 15, 2009 01:53 PM