Founder Randy Davidson to Leave WhatTheyThink, Focus on Other Opportunities

Wednesday, April 09, 2014

Press release from the issuing company

WhatTheyThink today announced that Randy Davidson will transition out of the WhatTheyThink business to focus on other opportunities, including a hyperlocal B2B news startup. During the transition, Randy will consult with the WhatTheyThink team on strategic business development programs.

“Over the last 14 years, we have built something very special at WhatTheyThink. It has been a love affair like no other with our members, sponsors and writers,” said Randy Davidson, “and it changed the way the printing industry reads news and analysis. We had many firsts for industry trade press that we are proud of, including daily emails, video interviews and webinars. I leave behind a dedicated team that has been together for a long time. Their experience and expertise will ensure our members continue to receive the best news, analysis and commentary available for the printing and publishing industries.”

One of the opportunities Randy is excited about pursuing is Georgia CEO. He founded the business in 2010 in two communities. In late 2013, the network expanded to the top 8 metro areas of Georgia. Georgia CEO reaches thousands of government leaders, business owners and local executives throughout the state. “I believe journalism is changing rapidly, and business executives in most communities are underserved by local media. Building this business is an incredible opportunity,” Davidson added.

“Randy has been a close friend and business partner for many years. His guidance has helped WhatTheyThink become a household name in the global graphic communications industry, and he brought me and a number of others into the business to make it what it is today,” said WhatTheyThink President Eric Vessels. “The entire team thanks Randy for having the vision to get us where we are today and for leading the business for more than a decade. We wish him the best going forward.”

The core WhatTheyThink team includes Eric Vessels, President; Cory Smith, COO; and Adam Dewitz, CTO. “As our members know,” Vessels added, “we have assembled an outstanding team of contributors that have also played a significant role in making WhatTheyThink what it is today. In addition to continuing to work with those contributors, we will aggressively continue to explore new and innovative ways to support the industry, including more focus on the marketing community to continue to educate them on how print fits into the new media mix.”

Randy can be reached at [email protected]

Eric Vessels can be contacted at [email protected]

Discussion

By Kevin Karstedt on Apr 09, 2014

Randy,

It has been a pleasure working with you. I wish you all the best at Georgia CEO. You will no doubt be a trailblazer in that space as you were 14 years ago in this one.

Best of Luck,
Kevin

By Margie Dana on Apr 09, 2014

Randy, it's a surprise to read this and yet I know you're off to new, great things. You should be so very proud of what you built. Your team is strong and capable, and I am excited to see what develops at WTT. I wish you the very best in this next chapter of your life!

Margie Dana

By Hamilton Costa on Apr 09, 2014

Randy

We are in touch since you have started WhatTheyThink and I have to say you have done an outstanding job. Congratulations.
All the best for you in your future dreams and achievements.

Hamilton Costa

By Wayne Lynn on Apr 09, 2014

Randy, I am somewhat surprised by this but your legacy at WTT will live on. You have indeed created something special. As a fellow Georgian, I am excited by what you will be bringing to the business community in our home state. Maybe we'll cross paths again in your next chapter!

Wayne Lynn

By David L. Zwang on Apr 09, 2014

As a long time contributor to WTT, and part of the 'family', I will surely miss Randy. Always willing and interested in a good discussion, and created quite the legacy. I am sure that this isn't the last we will see of him

Dave

By Rick Littrell on Apr 09, 2014

Wishing you all the best in your new adventure. I will continue to track you to watch the growth and excitement around your new vision.

Till next time

By Rossitza Sardjeva on Apr 09, 2014

I am also surprised by this news.....surely I will miss his good dicussion.

By Stan Najmr on Apr 09, 2014

Randy,

Thank you for all your hard work. WTT.com is recognized all over the world as one of the best internet portals dedicated to printing.

Good luck to you!

By Diane Dragoff on Apr 09, 2014

Randy,

Best of luck!

As someone who has worked in print and on the buying side, your information has always been helpful. WTT has been a great resource for me to keep up with the world of print.

Diane

By Andrew Tribute on Apr 09, 2014

As one of Randy's initial contributors, and one of the few members of the family to be a holder of a page title, this being "Tribute's Tuesday" I have found it both fun and a privilege to be associated with Randy. The initial WTT has developed greatly under his leadership and has established itself as the key news and feature organization in the industry. Randy will be remembered for this and luckily has left a strong team in place to continue with further development of the title.

Thanks Randy. Enjoy you new challenges, and one day I'll get down to Georgia for a game of golf with you.

Andy

By Randy Davidson on Apr 09, 2014

Thank you all so much for the comments, emails and phone calls. I have a mixture of digital and ink in my veins and will forever observe things here. WhatTheyThink is bigger than one person - the 30,000 members, visionary sponsors, all-star contributors and longtime partners make up this community. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity I was given to share in the success of such a wonderful community and company.

By Adam Dewitz on Apr 11, 2014

I've added some commentary on this news to respond to many of the questions and address concerns that I've heard.

http://whattheythink.com/blog/68175-future-whattheythink/

By Charles Gehman on Apr 11, 2014

This is on one of the few weeks that I missed reading WTT every morning. I guess I picked the wrong one, notably Wed AM!

Congratulations Randy. You and the team built something unique and awesome here, it will continue to make you proud to tell people you created it!

I know we will keep in touch, and that your new endeavors will be highly successful!!

Discussion

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