Three years ago I made a really hard decision: to leave a company that I loved, one that had been so good to me for many years, to pursue my own path. To embrace my next challenge. It was hard, it was heart-wrenching, and it was the right thing to do. I've never looked back. And so it's somewhat ironic that I'm finding myself again faced with a difficult decision, though this one exponentially harder given the closeness and connection not only with the brand, but moreso the people, that I've been working with for the last two+ years. It's never easy to leave the best job you've ever had.
And working at Digg has been the best professional experience I have ever had, barring none. I'm sure it sounds trite...you read 'farewell' letters like this all the time, where someone waxes poetic about the people they've worked with, the experiences they've had, 'learning opportunity' blahblahblah. And I hate nothing more than potentially being cliched, so take what I say as true:
I have never worked with smarter, more driven, more talented people than I have at my time here at Digg. I have never found such support in management and peers, known inherently that someone will always have my back, and that someone will always be there to help out when needed. I have never had a role that was more of a perfect fit for my pursuits and desires, allowed me to grow in both skill and maturity, and meet some of the most amazing people in the world along the way. I have never had so much fun. There are days where I'm sitting next to some of my closest friends, trying to solve one problem or another, tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard and think "They PAY me for this?"
So you see my reticence in saying farewell...it's been a very tough, very personal, very difficult decision, but as with the one I made nearly three years ago, I also feel that it is the right one. As hard is it is to leave behind the friends I've made here, I'm also excited about my next opportunity. You see, I'm returning to work with friends once again in my new role at Aol. Many from my old team at Google are now there, working to help redefine a legacy brand facing many challenges before it. Google's former head of sales - Tim Armstrong, a long-time mentor and former colleague of mine - is leading the charge as their CEO. And in another turn of good luck, I'll be working alongside a few former coworkers from Digg as well. In short: it was an opportunity that I couldn't refuse, and also one that I wanted to embrace.
My last day at Digg is April 16th; I'll be taking a few weeks off to recharge and get ready for what is sure to be a fun, crazy, and exciting ride ahead. I am so grateful to the people I've been able to work with over the past two+ years both here at Digg as well as with my friends at Revision3, and will genuinely miss working alongside them all every day.
And so I echo what I said three years ago, this is not a goodbye; instead, merely a farewell for now. I know our paths will cross again soon, and I'm looking forward to it. See you around...that's a promise.
<3 kick some ass and take names.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501203508 | April 08, 2010 at 02:31 PM
Just wanted to say Godspeed Aubs. Best of luck at Aol.
Posted by: JSpin | April 08, 2010 at 02:34 PM
Take care @aubs!!! It was great meeting you
at SxSw Diggnation!
Cheers,
Will (http://Twitter.com/wsellers)
Posted by: William Sellers | April 08, 2010 at 02:34 PM
Aubs, I can't imagine Digg without you. AOL's presence at SXSW was a bit jarring, but now I am realizing they're ready for their second wind. I can't imagine anyone better than you to give it to them. Best of luck!!
Posted by: Tony Pierce | April 08, 2010 at 03:40 PM
I've never known you or met you in person, but reading your tweets and your blog posts and viewing the photos you've posted, I feel at least I've followed some of your adventures at Digg. Good luck to you in your new role with old friends and a new place. And I look forward to reading your posts from your new adventure. Congrats.
Posted by: Marty Mankins | April 08, 2010 at 04:00 PM
Holy crap Aubrey... I hope this means you guys are coming back up to Seattle for Sasquatch while you're taking your time off :)
Good luck and I hope the best for you!
Posted by: Geekgiant | April 08, 2010 at 04:02 PM
Holy cow! Does this mean I need to give back my Digg Hoodie!? :)
Anyway, sounds like an exciting move and I'm sure you'll rock the house! Hit me up if you're out and about celebrating tonight and if not I'll catch you soon.
Good luck Aubrey!
Posted by: Keith | April 08, 2010 at 04:06 PM
congrats & good luck!
Posted by: kristin nienhuis | April 08, 2010 at 04:48 PM
Best wishes with the new job Aubrey!
Posted by: Carla Young | April 08, 2010 at 06:59 PM
Congrats on the new gig. Interested to know what you will be getting up to exactly at AOL.
Posted by: Ben Metcalfe | April 08, 2010 at 09:31 PM
Christ on a cracker! Congrats and good luck. It's funny, but I can't imagine Digg without the Aubs behind it. I'm not sure why exactly, but there it is.
Posted by: Jshugars | April 12, 2010 at 04:52 PM
Aubrey, are you going to be coming down to L.A. at AOL's HQ?
-Mike (Ps: Its been a long time!)
Posted by: Michael G. Galli | April 19, 2010 at 11:44 PM
My heart skipped a beat when I saw that you're coming to work for Aol. I hope we get to work together on something. And that it involves alcohol.
Congratulations, and the best of everything to you.
Posted by: Susan | April 21, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Fly, fly so high.
Posted by: Amanda | May 01, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Sad ! Nothing is permanent expect for change
Posted by: Ar | May 10, 2010 at 03:11 PM