Gotcha. Happy April Fool’s Day
I’m excited and a little sad to announce that I’ll no longer be leading Download Squad for Weblogs, Inc. I’ve been talking to Robert Scoble quite a bit since SXSW, after my business card put me on his radar and, I’m happy to announce I’ll be starting my new position at Fast Company as Shel Israel’s producer as of tomorrow. Shel is an amazing, intuitive and insightful guy who I admire very much, as is Robert. I’m honored to be invited into their team and I’m enthusiastic about the direction in which we’re headed.
It’s been a great ride at Weblogs, Inc. I’ve led Download Squad for a little over a year, doubled traffic, hired an incredible team of bloggers and taken the site in new and interesting directions. As hard as it is to swallow, I know in my heart that what I’ve helped create has outgrown me. Download Squad needs far more competent leadership than I can provide. I’m creative; a content guy, not a team manager. So, I’m really happy to say that in conjunction with my departure, Download Squad has scored a top piece of talent to take my place. Starting tomorrow, Download Squad’s new lead will be Aaron Brazell who formerly led operations at b5 Media. Aaron is an amazing guy, dynamic, sharp and super motivated. I know he’s going to take good care of the team I’ve worked so hard to build, and I wish him every success in his new position.
To my friends at Weblogs, Inc and my bloggers at Download Squad. You’ve all meant so much to me. So long and, thanks for all the fish.
15 responses so far ↓
1 Micah Baldwin // Apr 1, 2008 at 1:23 pm
As someone who gotten to know Aaron personally, and Grant through his work, I cannot be more astatic for both of you.
My only question is what will Loren’s puppet of Grant look like? And will you continue to champion the cause of the Douchebag?
2 GeekMommy // Apr 1, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Hoping this is a real item rather than an April Fools joke (I’ve been taken in too many times today) - if so, then major congrats to you both!!!!!!
3 Aaron Brazell // Apr 1, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Congrats on the new gig, Grant! You’ll do well (though let’s be honest, my dead grandma could produce Shel’s show better!)
Looking forward to hearing how things work out for you. In the meantime, I’ll keep Download Squad in good hands. Christina will be crying for you to come back.
4 Christina Warren // Apr 1, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I’m crying now! Aaron is the BEST, the BEST — but he doesn’t live in Atlanta. Squadcast is ending, and I’m just so sad.
Congrats though - you’ll do a great job.
5 Grant Robertson // Apr 1, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Thanks guys! This was a really tough decision. I’m pretty sure I’m doing the right thing.
6 Victoria Dulay // Apr 1, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Is this an April Fools joke?
Congratulations!
7 Eric Hill // Apr 1, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Oh, hey Grant. Congrats on the new position!! Very exciting indeed.
8 Yes, I Really Am Going to Download Squad // Apr 1, 2008 at 2:55 pm
[...] to write this today. I told Grant that he shouldn’t either but he’s so energized by his new role at the Shel Israel show that he had to talk about it on April Fool’s Day. and now I’m being inundated with [...]
9 Saul Colt // Apr 1, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Hey Grant!
If this isn’t one of those pesky April Fool’s jokes then I wish you the absolute best at your new gig….if it si a joke I can only say grrrrr because I always fall for this stuff!
-saul
10 Brazell Joins Weblogs Inc. | Pro Blogging News // Apr 1, 2008 at 3:28 pm
[...] “I’ve led Download Squad for a little over a year, doubled traffic, hired an incredible team of bloggers and taken the site in new and interesting directions. As hard as it is to swallow, I know in my heart that what I’ve helped create has outgrown me. Download Squad needs far more competent leadership than I can provide,” Robinson said on his blog. [...]
11 Aaron Brazell // Apr 1, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Christina- don’t worry about SquadCast. You do a good job with it, we’ll find a place for it that makes sense.
12 Todd // Apr 1, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Video of Grant quitting DLS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI
13 The Blogosphere Plays Musical Chairs // Apr 1, 2008 at 7:42 pm
[...] Robertson this afternoon announced to the world that it was with a mix of sorrow and anticipation that he’s leaving the Download Squad, and [...]
14 Jay // Apr 1, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I just saw mashable.com covered this and I had to comment over there too. I hope you attend another Atlanta Tweetup before you leave!
Best of luck!
15 Matt Craven // Apr 3, 2008 at 2:33 am
So are you going to do something to improve Shel’s show… like tomorrow?
Matt
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