The web design studio I co-founded made two big splashes this week. I couldn’t be more proud of my friends in Vancouver.
Raincity Acquires Bryght
Raincity Studios has acquired Bryght, who was our closest partner and hosting provider. The Raincity Studios/Bryght team now stands a a combined force of 22 all stars. Kris Krug gave Darren Barefoot the reasons why
“Our biggest clients like Warner Brothers and Sony want more from us than we’re able to give…We’re moving up market, our clients want it all. Strategy, design, development, marketing, training and support. Now we can give it to them end to end.”
Opening a Shanghai Office
Robert Scales has moved to Shanghai to start operations in China. This is a long continuation of growing relationships with other businesses from around the Pacific Rim. He and Kris Krug have been on multiple trade missions to China, thanks to our client and colleague Hal Josephson of China Access 2008.
A Story of Symbiotic Startups
I remember when Bryght was an idea in Boris Mann‘s head, before he built a fast growing business by providing open source content management system Drupal as hosted service. I moved to Vancouver to get to know Boris and build my west coast network. It didn’t take too long before I met two guys from BCIT who were winning awards, my Raincity co-founders CEO Robert Scales and Creative Director Mark Yuasa. I was the third leg of the team, filling the role of VP Sales and Marketing.
We bootstrapped our web design services firm thanks in a large part to the guys at Bryght. When they had hosting clients that needed a team to deliver great web design and community, we got to bid on the projects. Thanks to the chops evident in our portfolio, we landed bigger and bigger contracts. Eventually with all the sharing of friendships, clients, projects, ideas, homes, and victories it was a wise move for the two companies to combine forces.
It’s Always Bryght When You Bring the Rain
What’s next for Vancouver’s new internet powerhouse? I expect to see more of the hosted products we always talked about, and I’m sure the ideas have matured even more. I expect that the super talented team will continue to grow their reputations as some of the smartest and most creative web professionals in the world. I expect them to build some of the coolest websites on the internet that millions of people use.
Honestly, I’m just proud to call them my friends, each and every one of them – they’re like family to me. If you’re ever in Vancouver on a Thursday, stop by at noon for their weekly standing BBQ tell them I sent ya.
For life.
All my pictures are now up from my recent trip to East Africa. It was an amazing trip to a place rich in beauty and danger.
See the rest: photos of Tanzania and photos of Uganda
Web strategist extrodinaire Jeremiah Owyang put me in a list of his top community advocates in the technology industry, right beside other people I have tremendous respect and love for. What an honor!
Will Pate, Community Ambassador, Flock/Rockstar
Out of all the evangelists out there, I’m likely to be the most jealous of Will Pate. Not because of his dashing good looks, (or so my wife tells me) or that he’s constantly surrounded by the ladies, or stylish garb, it’s because he makes it look so easy. I recently caught up with Will at the Community Next conference in Palo Alto and he described his role at Flock to be part community advocate, and part company evangelists. He helped to bring the requirements together, connect them, and build a better product. Today, Will can be found in Toronto, and he’s switched to a part time role at Flock, what’s next for Will? Greatness I’m sure.
If I make it look easy Jeremy, it’s only because being the community guy fits my personality so well. I’ve tried a lot of roles in the tech industry, and the “community guy” one just sings for me, personally and professionally.
As for what’s next for me, well I’ve got cool news coming on that very soon.
