I've been tweeting about my new gig, but figured I was overdue to write a more detailed post about Endavo Media and why I'm so excited to be part of the great things we're doing here.
Endavo Media provides an end-to-end Internet TV platform. If you're in the business of producing, distributing and monetizing online video content, our services can help you manage those digital asset in a scalable and cost-effective way. One of the ways we're positioning the service is as the next logical step from viral video (YouTube, et al). This presentation gives the full pitch: "Online Video: From Viral Campaigns to Branding Strategy."
My role is business development, with an early focus on the Florida New Media and video production community. My background is in sales and marketing. I have worked in interactive marketing and telecom services for more than a decade, and more recently shifted my focus to social media and what I call "customer engagement strategy." In my view, online video will play an ever-increasing role in interactive marketing strategy. It's still in its formative years, but the push is on. So, Endavo is the perfect fit for someone with both my history and forward vision.
But the odds of me finding such a gig where lower than you might think. Tampa, FL is not exactly Boston or NYC or San Francisco. Headquartered in Atlanta with an office in Tampa, Endavo was the only player in town focused on the things that I'm passionate about. Others in the area work around the edges either from the production side or the social/viral marketing side, but not as the enabling technology that allows content producers to build an Internet TV destinations in days, complete with ad insertion management, live streaming, and all within your own branded look and feel. What can I say, I'm a platform guy.
To top it off, I'm back working with one of my former clients. While at Mediacentric Group I directed the Perot Systems account. Pete Contardo, Endavo's EVP/CMO, worked for Perot at the time and we built some cool stuff together. It's fun to be back working with him. Paul Hamm, Endavo's CEO, is as sharp as they come -- aggressive, responsive, positive and always eager to support his team. The rest of the group is great too. There is a start-up mentality here that I thrive on. All the questions have not been answered nor all the potential realized, and that's what makes it special: being part of the growth.
The punchline is "never say never." If you want something bad enough and you can demonstrate real passion to other people, everything has a way of working out. Being passionate about what you do is critical to your health and prosperity.
I know times are hard right now for a lot of people. Many people have been laid off, forced to move or do more with less. So, I am truely grateful that God brought this opportunity to me. It is a tremendous opportunity for me and I plan to take full advantage of it.
