+

Ins and Outs

nn

There is a new article in the LA-Times this weekend on the tired issue of Amanda leaving Rocketboom. The article was scheduled to run in 2006 and I appreciate Rushfield’s attempt to assess the situation. It’s still not quite what I was hoping for but . . . I left all of this behind. I said it was over then and the commitment stands. By now, I wish Amanda well and hope she is happy.

In other news of my past, I sat down with my accountant last week (I’m trying to get used to the fact that I actually have an accountant!), and for the entire period of 2006, I managed to bring in $247,412 via Rocketboom. $210k of that was in advertising and licensing and the rest was mostly from consulting and merchandising. I realize its unusual to report this kind of information and I may not have the luxury of doing so in the future (and may not even want to myself) but I’m hoping to emphasize the point while I can – a point that I have often tried to make – which is that you can do this. Considering that I had almost no business experience when I started (yet just enough to know I would need to bring on a business partner), most of the incoming potential was never even realized and fell into the pending issue folders due to the lack of having the resources or know-how to accommodate all of it, the production became unstable half way through the year and then went into the dreaded mode of “sustaining” for many months (where over 6 months elapsed just keeping afloat with no innovation which is where I am today – Joanne and I are only now about to roll out what is essentially an RB 3.0) and then finishing off the year with the absolute best possible scenario with regards to Abbey, all-in-all, its carpe diem folks.

The ballpark is still wide open. If you have tasteful content that people respond to and half a business mind, you should be fairing at least this well.

nn

+

From Vegas to San Fran

nn

Im off to San Francisco now for my first ever Mac Expo. On Tuesday, Shelly Palmer and I are giving a conference speech and I have no plans for Tuesday night. I’d love to meet up with any bloggers, just email me if you are in town and would like to hang out. I’m looking for a meetup locale. Note to Steve Jobs: Feel free to call me on my direct line in case you are not too busy these days.

nn

+

The Digital Decade

nn

Through what looked like a buyers frenzy on the NYSE floor I walked right past the crowd, flashed my VIP ticket, accepted a free Sam Adams from an attendant and now Im waiting for Bill Gates to take the stage here in Las Vegas.

It seems like a terrorist would do way more damage hitting the CES expo than any G8 meeting. The international brain power in this room is effecting me without even thinking about it.

I was invited by Edelman and Microsoft to attend. They paid for the plane, hotel, ticket, etc. There must be some mistake because they put me in a super-suite at the Venetian Hotel where I could probably fit about about 35 people.

nn