Andy, the world called to say it doesn't need another blog.
So, so true. Do people blog any more? Is that still a thing? I could just keep every thought to 280 characters, but that often doesn't bring out the best in people.
But on the other hand, what's the harm, really? If you find something here that intrigues you, then please share your thoughts about it. I'll be happy if you agree, and even happier if you point out what I'm missing. If you find something here that makes you incredibly angry, please exercise your right to never come back again. That'll show me.
I'm very interested in the intersection of traditional media and technology/the web/disruptive forces/etc. But more generally I'm fascinated by things that seem not to be connected but secretly are. So that's my so-general-as-to-be-not-useful intent for what this blog will be about. But I'm sure that will evolve. Maybe it will end up being a blog about cool crafty things you can make with beads and ribbons. But probably not.
But who really are you, Andy? I gotta know.
I'm Andy Forssell, and I'm from Titusville, Pennsylvania, a great place to grow up (and if you disagree with that, you and I are going to have to take it outside--cause that's what you do if you're from Western PA).
I went to school and more school and even more school. I've lived in Titusville PA, West Point NY, Pittsburgh PA, Fort Knox KY, El Paso TX, Boston MA, San Francisco CA, San Mateo CA, Sewickley PA, and Santa Monica CA. So far.
I served in the armored cavalry . . . amazing experiences and amazing people.
I spent ten great years at Siebel Systems, back when enterprise software was really sexy. Yeah, maybe we needed a bit of perspective on the whole "sexy" thing, but nevertheless it was fun and I learned a ton from some really smart people.
I was ridiculously lucky to have worked with an absolutely killer team at Hulu from nothin' to a billion dollars in annual revenue. We all got to build a place we loved to work at, and do some really good work in the process.
Then I spent a year at ShowYou with a small team of super talented folks, and then several years as part of Fullscreen and Otter Media. Otter was acquired by AT&T, and low and behold I ended up back right in the middle of streaming video in the early days of designing what become HBO Max.
I still scratch my head occasionally and wonder, “What series of miracles occurred such that I get to work smack in the middle of the incredible creatives at HBO and Warner Brothers?”, because they are the best. Period. Inspiring. And to them we’ve added engineering, product and growth teams who are at the top of their professional games as well. That combination is as much fun as it’s possible to have in a job. I felt that way about the Army and I feel that way about this current gig, despite the big contrast between those two periods of my life. Very grateful to have such opportunities.
Family is super important as well, and I have a great one. But as much as I would like to brag about them here, I’ll leave them to whatever shred of privacy exists in this modern world and leave it at that.