When you consider that Richard Rosenblatt was responsible for the sale of more than $1.3 billion in Internet media companies, it’s no surprise that people were lining up to invest in the serial entrepreneur’s latest venture, Demand Media.
Rosenblatt co-founded the content and social media company in 2006 and serves as its chairman and CEO. With more than 100 million unique monthly visitors, Demand Media has developed a one-of-a-kind
platform that leverages cutting edge, user-driven publishing, community, and monetization tools with its online brands such as eHow and Cracked.
“I learned then that you should not get involved in running a business unless you are deeply passionate about it and 100 percent committed to focusing on its success,”
he says.
A quick glance of Rosenblatt’s resume reveals success after success, including co-founding iMALL, serving as vice chairman of Great Domains, and becoming CEO of Superdudes.net. His biggest claim to fame was being named CEO of Intermix Media, Inc. and turning Myspace.com into one of the largest and most popular Internet sites of its time.
Even with all his successes, the 43-year-old’s record isn’t perfect, and he learned a valuable lesson in 2000 when he became the interim CEO of DrKoop.com and chose not to move to its corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas.
“I learned then that you should not get involved in running a business unless you are deeply passionate about it and 100 percent committed to focusing on its success,”
he says.
His biggest piece of advice to his tech disciples: “Ask yourself, ‘Does it provide a clear benefit to an audience that they will pay for?’ If it does, then go for it, and ignore all the naysayers along the way.”
