News broke recently that b5Media’s Vice President of Sales Chad Randall has left the company, there has been a lot of speculation as to the reason for his departure, did he leave on his own accord or was he pushed out? Having know Chad for a number of years and being responsible for organizing the event that he and his wife met at it is a shame to see him leave unless this was something he wanted to happen. He’s a good guy and always puts 110% effort into what ever he is doing.
At its peak b5Media was one of the largest blog networks with over 300 blogs, but challenges internally including founders that live in different continents left the company in disarray. The company’s revenue was also based prodominately on one source – online advertising. We all know the end of that song as online properties around the world are hurting having a “one trick pony” business model. One by one company founders have left b5Media, first there was Duncan Riley, Darren Rowse and Shai Coggins. Most recently the last founder Jeremy Wright resigned as CEO to take some time off. The Board of Directors brought in Elaine Kunda as the new CEO to take the company to its next level, Elaine was previously the CEO of ZipLocal which is another portfolio company of J.L. Albright.
What Is Next For b5Media?
Riddle me this…What is a media company with no sales? Answer…no much! Nothing has been confirmed yet, but my money is on b5Media being put on the selling block. I don’t think another blog network will purchase it as the original model of blog networks is all but dead, traditional newspapers are all struggling on both sides of the border, but I can’t think of who’d be interested in a network of blog based on the current market condition and online advertising sales suffering from the recession.
I’m sure Elaine Kunda is a smart woman, but I do have to question whether she is the right person who can turn b5Media around, after all she didn’t have the best track record with her previous start up.
What Is Next For Chad Randall?
He’s updated his blog to say that he’s going to take the balance of 2009 off and resurface in 2010 with a new venture.
Founder of Profectio of business sites which includes 
