Forty First Street Media Inc.
I was let go from Yahoo after spending almost 10 years leading the creative video storytelling for AOL (which operated HuffPost Canada), then Oath (still operated HuffPost Canada) and then Verizon Media (sold HuffPost Canada to Buzzfeed then shut down) and then Yahoo (relaunched by private equity firm Apollo).
A lot of changes, right?
Despite all those corporate moves and acquisitions, the time spent working with my team, primarily for HuffPost, was a career highlight. Over the span of three decades, I worked in print, early digital at the Globe and Mail, and finally for a pure digital operation at AOL etc. Everything culminated in the rarest of opportunities for a journalist. The privilege to tell the stories that needed to be told. The results were so gratifying. We won awards, we challenged ourselves, we elevated our craft and most of all, we worked together for a common goal.
The last part was the most satisfying. I thrive in a collaborative environment.
I spent the better part of my time at the “company formerly known by a whole lot of names” digging deep into one major objective — building dialogue through storytelling. I wanted our content to give a voice to those who weren’t being heard, to promote understanding between disparate views and maybe make you laugh. And it did.
There is too much confrontation in the world. It can get really noisy. I believe much can be solved if we listen to each other a little more and have respectful exchange of ideas and points of view. In other words, dialogue.
So what has this got to do with the launch of a new creative studio? Glad you asked!
Part of the fun part of launching your own business is you get to set the terms to a certain extent. My terms are pretty simple.
Be a purpose-driven storyteller for social good.
Yes, I know that sounds a little like DO NO EVIL and other techy slogans that ultimately disappoint. But hear me out…
My offerings are straightforward:
- Documentary (branded and cinematic) film: Let’s let your story breathe and share it with the world
- Content Strategy: Let’s fine tune your brand story and connect with a wider audience
- Consultation: Let’s uncover the bugs and processes that are keeping you from reaching your goals.
Facing the camera isn’t always a part of the job.
