Discussion

By David L. Zwang on Aug 16, 2024

Frank. Great tribute to Eric and the team at drupa and over the years. WTT has grown into an important resource for the industry through its most interesting evolution. It has been a great ride...

By Eric Vessels on Aug 16, 2024

Thanks Frank! You were indeed a very important and vocal supporter of the WhatTheyThink model from the beginning - even pre-dating me! Appreciate all the support through the years!

I used to love when we’d visit and you say “hey kid!” and proceed to bestow wisdom upon us. I’ll miss that in the context of WhatTheyThink for sure, but maybe I’ll call on you in other contexts. ;)

It’s important to note that saying I’m “leaving” WhatTheyThink is a bit of a misnomer. While true, I did not choose such a path. I’m sad that I won’t get to participate in the next chapter of what Adam and I wanted WhatTheyThink to be, but we did sell the business to APTech so they are in control now.

I know there is a great team there because I was instrumental in building it. I hope the new stewards treat my baby well. Best of luck to all and big love!

By Robert Godwin on Aug 16, 2024

Frank,
I too go back to the Randy Davidson days. Your namesake (not related) Diane Romano of Applied Graphics Technologies called me and said, "Find out more about this What They Think thing." I called Randy and he explained WTT follows industry trends and who is driving them. Been a member ever since. My issue with WTT has been that the demographic skewed way too old, you and me included. That stated, it is likely because the grand poohbahs of the industry ARE old.
Change is inevitable and 23 years is a long time. Eric is among the nicer of the highly visible media people in the industry. He will find new challenges, even if the indiginty of his dismissal (the public face anyway) stings for a while. I don't see him as commentator emeritus for the print industry, he's too zen for that pigeon hole. Maybe he could try a stint as a bourbon influencer on TikTok or YouTube.

By Chris Manley on Aug 16, 2024

Many thanks to Frank for his remarks about what a pivotal role Eric has played in the media coverage of our industry for more than 2 decades.
Frank’s comments about Eric’s leadership in the wall-to-wall coverage of drupa were spot on, and the logistics of that undertaking would make a great case study for some Harvard MBA candidates to study.
What made Eric so remarkable (and admirable to me as a card carrying member of the Salesman’s Union) is that he basically woke up every day selling digital media to the PRINTING INDUSTRY. This is like selling Chick-fil-A sandwiches at a Cattlemen’s Association Convention, and Eric did this everyday.
That’s a 1/1,000,000 guy, and Eric won’t be replaced easily (or by 1 person IMHO).
I also agree with Frank that Eric’s best days as a clear voice in our industry are ahead of him, and the way Eric and his Team has helped our company for 23 years will never be forgotten.
When things were tough in Graphco’s early days, and something bad happened, my Mom used to say “I can hardly wait to see what good will come from this.” She’s not with us anymore, but she’s saying that to Eric right now, so stay tuned.