I’m Putting the Band Back Together
Nov 1, 2008
By Dave
Filed in EMedia, Fire & EMS, Friends & Family, National Fire & EMS, Professional Projects
Ten years ago, in a spare bedroom, a team of … er, well, myself and Chris Hebert (with the help of the elusive Travis Good), started a little site called Firehouse.com. Since then, it’s become the largest Web portal for the fire service.
Two years later, Paul Andrews joined us and helped us turn our ideas into revenue as our sales ace. We covered the fire service from every perspective, through Worcester and 9/11, the launch of the Fire ACT grants program, Ladder 49 and more. We also acquired and grew portals in law enforcement and EMS.
In the last few years, we’ve all gone our separate ways. Chris has stayed at Cygnus to lead the online efforts of the public safety group, while Paul moved on to the Praetorian group and its public safety offerings. Aside from launching Firefighter Nation,
I’ve spent most of the last two years driving magazine brands online as a consultant and specifically the last 18 months as Director of Interactive Business Strategy for Red 7 Media, which has the leading brands in the magazine and live event world.
I’m pleased to announce the band is back together.
With the signing of several agreements with leading publishers — including FOLIO: parent (and my most recent employer) Red 7 — Go Forward Media has been born. The company will provide strategic and operational management for publishing and niche brands.
Paul joins me as Vice President of eMedia Sales Development, with Chris starting in a week or so as Vice President of Operations.
A separate news release about the company is forthcoming, including a rundown of the first few clients. We’ll be also growing Firefighter Nation and new content and community products in the fire service in 2009.
Also joining me are some of the best people and companies I’ve worked with over the years, including Randy Funke as my Development Manager and Sung Hee Kim as Creative Director (along with her kick ass design team). Plus Theresa Hoglander, Hank Mitchell and Matt Kovalakides – just for starters. And as usual, a good chunk of the team (me, Chris, Theresa and Matt), has a fire service background.
To learn more about Go Forward Media, logon to http://www.GoForwardMedia.com. Stay tuned for announcements about our first clients and more!
Thanks!
Dave
20 Comment(s)
By Amy Deane on Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
Wait, this sounds like a real blower for my plans to be drummer. Although it sucks (and it blows) for me I wish you guys all the best in this new venture.
By Pete P on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Congratulations. This is pretty exciting stuff, although I am not too surprised and I know you’ll be successful — let me know if I can help you all in any way … Good luck and I hope to see you soon.
PIO Pete
By Randy Funke on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Awesome!
By Katie B on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Dave and Company:
Congrats on your new venture. It sounds super exciting and I wish you all the luck in the world.
Great team!!
Katie
By Billy G on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
From the Blues Brothers …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOHq5WbQ8k
By Dave S on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Congratulations
By Eric S on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Congrats, Dave! I wish you and your team a lot of success. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you.
By Ginny G on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Well done Mr. President!!!! Congratulations!!
x
By Christin S on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
You really forgot to metion the fact that I went to NEW YORK with you and that is why you got the deal to begin with!!!!!!
Christin
By Vince H on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Dave
Its so good to see you sill standing tall.
If there is ever a time of need from me please do ask.
Thanks bro
By Dave T on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Well done Dave. Best of luck with your latest venture.
- Dave
By Kevin O. on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Dave, Congrats!!!! Best of luck to you, Chris and all the members of your new team. Continued success in you new venture, I look forward to seeing you and Chris soon.
Kevin O. Turner
By Jeff C on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Solid team! Congratulations to Dave and crew. All the best, and let me know if I can ever help.
By Tim Dees on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Dave & Co.:
I’m happy to see all of you working together again. You’re a talented and passionate group of people and I know you can do your clients a lot of good.
By Jennifer Randall on Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
Dave, Paul and Chris - many congratulations. Rock on!
By Tim Haynes on Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
Hey guys…Congrats and good luck…
By Tommy Falcone on Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
Dave,
It is great to see you guys doing so good,
good luck with your new venture.
Tommy
By Paul Sabaj on Nov 17, 2008 | Reply
Best of luck, Will you also be doing any publishing or film related media
By Mick Mayers on Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
I read your site and was inspired to create my own blog (we talked about this briefly via e-mail). You get IT. Your blog reflects that. I’m also glad to see you are working on more.
Always keep me in mind on your projects. We share somewhat similar politics as well I see.
By Dan Buell on Nov 27, 2008 | Reply
Growing up with Chris and knowing that he was a smalltown boy’ i’ts nice to see some ordinary people excel in what they are trying to accomplish. Good luck in your ventures!!