In November of 2004, Death Cab for Cutie signed a “long-term worldwide dealâ€? with Atlantic Records, leaving their long-time label Barsuk Records. Gibbard stated on the official website that nothing would change. This was a marked change from Gibbard’s earlier views on major-label relations. (From their Wikipedia entry)
I have been a long time fan of Death Cab and when they switched from Barsuk Records to Atlantic Records, I like most fans, was afraid that their music would change, that they had sold out. Especially when Ben Gibbard, the founding member of the band had been so out spoken against major labels. In the end Death Cab’s sound has only gotten better and they have been able to reach a much larger audience.
For the last 6 months I have been trying to land HP as a client. (What consultant isn’t?) To my surprise, just when I thought I was making progress, they flipped the tables on me and offered me a job. This was very surprising and the last thing on my mind.
I just turned 35 last week and have never worked in a cubicle in my life. I have been on my own to some degree or another for the last 6 years. This was a very scary proposition for me.
It’s no secret that I have a great love for all things Web 2.0. I chose this as a career field 2 years ago when most people thought I was crazy. A lot has changed over the past 2 years. Companies big and small are rapidly adopting Web 2.0 and using it to their advantage.
HP is aggressively moving into the Web 2.0 space and the opportunity to work on projects from the inside, especially for such a strong brand like HP, is incredibly appealing. In addition to that I will be walking into a welcome environment and working with a smart group of people who already “get it.” For this and many other reasons the opportunity to be the LaserJet Business Web 2.0 product manager for HP was way to tempting.
This move may come as a big surprise to many of you (it did to me).
Much like when Death Cab for Cutie signed with Atlantic, I’ll still be making the same noise music, I’ll just be doing it on a bigger stage, with the ability to help not just HP but their customers as well.
Tac, let me be the first to say congratulations. I wish you nothing but the best.
Posted by Brian Harrison | 01. Aug, 2007, 8:21 pmTac- Congratulations! I wish you all the best….HP is a great company, with a great brand and you will make a difference! Stay in touch!
Laura
Posted by Laura Levitan | 02. Aug, 2007, 4:57 amHey, let’s get something straight. here. Selling out is compromising one’s values in return for profit. When a major company hires you to do what you love and believe in, that’s NOT selling out, that’s making progress. HP will be lucky to have you, Tac!
Posted by Peggy Jordan | 02. Aug, 2007, 6:56 amCongrats, Tac. I have no doubt you’ll continue shaking things up no matter where you are, and it’ll be exciting to see what you can do from within a big-but-innovative company.
Posted by Sarah Lewis | 02. Aug, 2007, 6:57 amHey Tac — Welcome to the wonderful world of “working for The Man”. Stock options, insurance, retirement, oh my! Best of luck in your new venture and remember… at least it’s not Micron!
Posted by Patrick Lee | 02. Aug, 2007, 8:14 amTac Congrats. The more I think about I’m surprised it took this long for a company like HP to snatch you up. I have to agree with Peggy, by no means did you sell out. Traded up for something you love to do with a little more security, is more like it.
Good luck, and stay in touch. I always learn a dozen new things when we get together.
-Jarred
Posted by Jarred | 02. Aug, 2007, 8:16 amI echo all of the above – definately not a sellout when you are taking your vision, passion and ideas to a bigger stage. Hope they value and will act on all that you will be bringing to the table. Congrats my friend
Posted by Jessi | 02. Aug, 2007, 9:44 amThank you to everyone. And don’t get me wrong, the title is pure tongue in cheek.
Posted by Tac | 02. Aug, 2007, 10:53 amhey congrats, big corp life exposes so many nuances of the work and forces us to sharpen our skills in different ways. Being the new kid with all that crazy talk of transparency etc may be monumentally frustrating but hugely rewarding. HP made a selfish but wise move in taking you off the competitive market. Go get ‘em!
Posted by Gi-Gi | 02. Aug, 2007, 11:02 amWatch out HP! Here comes Tac Anderson!
…and a big CONGRATS from me as well. We need to get together for another little pow-pow soon….I’ll buy the Rockstars! (hehe…no pun intended, seriously)
Posted by Dave | 02. Aug, 2007, 12:44 pmHi Tac!
Gut gemacht – as the Germans say!
With you on the inside and us on the outside I am sure we will shake things up a bit
Cheers,
Oliver
Posted by Oliver Fritsch | 02. Aug, 2007, 2:18 pmTac, does this mean you can help me out with some good funeral music?
Your favorite Undertaker….Mark
Posted by Mark Rice | 04. Aug, 2007, 2:02 pmTac – What have you done?? How could you??? Who will be my Muse??? Just kidding
You are going to kick butt over there. If after a few months you are having “Office Space” episodes let me know and I will come over and help you gut fish on your TPS reports.
Posted by Justin Foster | 05. Aug, 2007, 11:22 pmCongratulations Tac!, been hearing about you for awhile–looking forward to working together moving forward . . .
Posted by John Dub | 07. Aug, 2007, 9:38 am