mjones.la

AOL Update

I often get asked how things are going within AOL - here are the new additions to my previously published timeline:

Userplane acquired by AOL
AOL doors open - warm welcome by Marcien Jenckes (the only man that can make an acquisition happen in 60 days within AOL)
Userplane traffic grows
Userplane released free-integrated offering - sees substantial pick up
Unexpected support and camaraderie from SVP Tina Sharkey
Direct exposure and strategy brainstorming with Jon Miller + handsome strategist Jorge
We hit 55m ads daily delivered
Corp dev research
"Becoming part of the legacy of AOL"
Userplane hires 5 more genius staffers (still a small team at only 14 : )
"What about widgets" - a Bankoff commissioned research project
Discussion, research and finally comprehension of AOL as a business (model built, finally visually understandable for me)
Seeing pieces of the soul of AOL - meeting with Ted Leonsis
Evaluation of AOL's future, establishment of directional decision for Userplane
Tina Sharkey resigns - Halloween
Strategic direction "commitment" by Jim Bankoff, Publisher Services
Exposure to Ad sales group, comprehension of strengths and short comings
Exposure to Jon Millers executive strategy meeting
Jon MIller fired.
Jason C. quits
Additional support of vision via Jim Bankoff and Marcien Jenckes
AMN starts rolling in our ad inventory!
Commitment of additional internal technology for vision realization
Build, build, build.
New Userplane'ers come aboard!
Userplane Webchat release- SNS support
Userplane gets up on AOL Beta! Yeah!
Jim Bankoff quits.
Time to meet Ron + Randy.. Next week maybe : )
Tina moves to SF - CEO of Babycenter (nice work Tina!)
Never met up with Randy - but had a nice call or two with Ron!
"Fuzzy leadership" period
AMN and our ad inventory, plans made
Testing on OBI (internal AOL technology) for Revshare system
Expanding the Userplane Model
Derek & Tom quit - ad strategy reevaluated (again)
Engagement on non-Userplane project around proposed Widget strategy
Preparation, traction and approval on expanded budget
David L. Offsite + intro Kevin Conroy
Judith Meskill leaves to work with Tina Sharkey
Jim is still unemployed - but happier than ever
Revshare system goes live - finally !

I have expanded our reach - met many impressive, smart technologists and product managers across the AOL organization.

I fear often the cloak of the AOL brand prohibits growth for certain sub-brands and properties. I am a advocate for working on this issue - but don't seem to find support in this challenge.