Our new logo – attached here – is the handy work of the talented team at Mule Design in concert with our own Pascal Balthrop.  We’ve used the same typeface as our original Sphere logo – Gotham – and a similar blue gradient color scheme to provide continuity with our past.  Since our business is centered around bringing content to the surface, the logo communicates this via a rising effect with the word “Surphace” rising above the clouds.  (In this case, the clouds represent the voluminous amounts of digital content produced every day that make your articles harder and harder to find.)

We love our new identity.  Look for it soon at a leading website near you!

Just wanted to say that s4 is beautiful, ABSOLUTELY Beautiful.

Here is an example (s4 is integrated below the post which helps more people stay on our site longer).

Keep up the great work and happy holidays!

You can see an example of our module below.  Kudo’s all around on this one!!

In his new role at Buzznet, Ron will be working with some slightly edgier properties like The Gauntlet, Stereogum, AbsolutePunk and Idolator and returning to the glitz and glamor of his LA roots.  We have no doubt that these entertainment sites – a mix of established and emerging brands – will benefit tremendously from having Ron’s creativity and dedication on their side.

Best of luck Ron.  We hope to cross paths again soon!

In terms of actual work, we did several full team strategy sessions (a rarity for this group) followed by breakout discussion that yielded a bunch of significant outcomes, most notably the decision on our last night in Oregon to change the name of the business to Surphace.  We also mapped out an exciting product roadmap to keep us busy for the next 6 months and crystallized our goals for the future of the business.

We also had some fun, taking several hikes led by the Sargent’s dog, Henke, partook in a white-water rafting trip down the Rogue River, and several of us ran an 8K race early one morning.  Along the way, an adult beverage or two was consumed and we sampled some of southern Oregon’s finest lagers.   Just for kicks, we even crossed the California state line to bring it full circle back where it all began.

Our group photos of the retreat are posted here.

In terms of actual work, we did several full team strategy sessions (a rarity for this group) followed by breakout discussion that yielded a bunch of significant outcomes, most notably the decision on our last night in Oregon to change the name of the business to Surphace.  We also mapped out an exciting product roadmap to keep us busy for the next 6 months and crystallized our goals for the future of the business.

We also had some fun, taking several hikes led by the Sargent’s dog, Henke, partook in a white-water rafting trip down the Rogue River, and several of us ran an 8K race early one morning.  Along the way, an adult beverage or two was consumed and we sampled some of southern Oregon’s finest lagers.   Just for kicks, we even crossed the California state line to bring it full circle back where it all began.

Our group photos of the retreat are posted here.

In terms of actual work, we did several full team strategy sessions (a rarity for this group) followed by breakout discussion that yielded a bunch of significant outcomes, most notably the decision on our last night in Oregon to change the name of the business to Surphace.  We also mapped out an exciting product roadmap to keep us busy for the next 6 months and crystallized our goals for the future of the business.

We also had some fun, taking several hikes led by the Sargent’s dog, Henke, partook in a white-water rafting trip down the Rogue River, and several of us ran an 8K race early one morning.  Along the way, an adult beverage or two was consumed and we sampled some of southern Oregon’s finest lagers.   Just for kicks, we even crossed the California state line to bring it full circle back where it all began.

Our group photos of the retreat are posted here.

Josh joined Sphere in the second half of 2007, after a lengthy and persistent appeal process. He fully believed in our business and value proposition from the start and it was apparent from the vigor with which he approached me. Once on the team, he applied that same vigor to business development, turning over every rock he could find and signing partnership after partnership, including several of our largest. When we were acquired by AOL in April 2008, we asked Josh to lead our expansion across the AOL universe and represent us on the ground in NYC.  He did so admirably, guiding our contribution to AOL while ensuring that our existing business continued to prosper. Without being asked, he assumed leadership of Product Development, Advertising Management and Design and each of these areas has improved significantly under his stewardship. In March, we named Josh COO and his command of the business has only improved since.   He oversaw some great hires in product development and business development in 2009, and led an inspiring retreat at our annual get together in September.  

My decision to step down was made easier knowing that Surphace is in excellent hands. Josh is the right leader for the business today. He’s a natural leader and a great guy to work with – earning consistent praise from all. Mapping out an exciting product pipeline for the next twelve months, Josh has provided Surphace with the ingredients to continue to prosper as a standalone business within AOL. I couldn’t be more pleased for Josh and excited for the Surphace team. Please join me in raising a virtual toast!

In 2005, I had the good fortune of being on the founding team of Sphere and joining True Ventures simultaneously. I always thought that I’d eventually focus all of my attention on one or the other, but both were too much fun and I guess I’m selfish in that way.  As time passed, I went deeper into each role and I never got around to choosing one or the other. It worked out nicely. True is on its second fund and Sphere had a successful sale to AOL in 2008. Most importantly, Sphere’s business and team are both thriving within AOL. While I’m proud of my contributions to both, the heroes in this equation are Martin, Steve, Toni, Shea DiDonna, Braughm Ricke, Om Malik, Puneet Agarwal, John Burke, Phil Black, Jon Callaghan, Marty Moe, Bill Wilson and AOL – they trusted and empowered me to pursue both. I am extremely grateful.

As I’ve thought through the question of what’s next, I’ve realized that I love the complementary perspectives acquired from building a company as an entrepreneur and investor. They are symbiotic roles and it’s really hard to say which has influenced me more. While my role at True as a Venture Partner will continue to deepen (because there is nothing more rewarding than working with people you admire and trust), I also find myself with a burning need to start another company. I’ve discovered my formula and doing both makes me happiest.

As for my next company, I’m not sure what the answer to that question is, but I’ve decided that I need to move on from Sphere (now Surphace) to figure it out.  This may feel like old news as I’ve been working to make myself obsolete as Josh Guttman transitioned into the CEO role. My decision is easy as I know that Surphace is in excellent hands. I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving if I didn’t believe that Josh was the right leader for the business today.  He’s a natural leader and has a strategy for the future that I believe is going to accelerate growth for Surphace and AOL. I couldn’t be more pleased for Josh and excited for the Surphace team.

As for my thoughts about Surphace and AOL’s future, I’m more optimistic than ever. We joined AOL at an opportune time. AOL is doing what great, sustainable businesses do every so often – they’re reinventing themselves. As the business model of the oldest and one of the biggest Internet businesses evolves, Sphere/Surphace has become an important piece of their strategy to reach across and engage the web. In the past year, we’ve had an insiders’ view into how AOL’s new leadership team has moved aggressively to engage their audience (new vertical focused websites; a focus on engagement and not page-views for page-views sake; hiring leading journalistic talent when others downsized; acquisitions in the local content space; shorter development cycles with an emphasis on release, iterate and release). There is nothing like winning and the AOL publishing business is winning. As a result, I’m pleased to also announce that I’ve agreed to serve as a Special Advisor to AOL Ventures as they reinvent themselves. I am thrilled at this opportunity to evolve my relationship.

I want to give a huge thanks to the people who’ve made the last few years what they were: my family tops the list, an entrepreneur is only as good as their support system and this is my secret sauce. My co-founders, Martin and Steve, who trusted me to play a role in helping them get the tech they invented the exposure it deserved. Toni and Phil who taught me about generosity at a moment when I was able to learn. Matt Mullenweg who opened up my thinking of how a start-up operates.  Marty and Bill who have been consistently supportive since Day One – I can’t underscore enough how much I appreciate the manner in which they’ve empowered us to thrive in an appropriately independent environment. They have treated me (and the Sphere team) with enormous respect for which I am both thankful and flattered.  The original Sphere team, the current Surphace team who have embraced AOL. Our investors and advisors who supported and helped shape our vision. The True team and entrepreneurs who have taught me about sacrifice, vision, execution and the value of pursuing your dreams — and, of course, Lewis Dvorkin, Kevin Lockland and Bill who paid us the nicest compliment of all in offering to acquire our company and then doing so.

It’s been a thrilling, at times difficult, always rewarding and lucky ride I’ve been on. Thanks to all.