After far too much build up through vague foreshadowing Tweets, I am pleased to announce that I have joined Forrester Research. As of this week I am now a Researcher serving Interactive Marketing professionals, working to understand the present and future of the interactive marketing and social computing worlds.
To me this move is incredibly exciting because over the last year as a Social Media Consultant, not a day of work went by without a reference to Forrester. In almost every client meeting I would bring up either Forrester’s leading edge research, the exemplary blogging of Senior Analyst Jeremiah Owyang (from whom I first learned of this position), or the industry leading book Groundswell, by Principal Analyst Josh Bernoff (and former Analyst Charlene Li). Basically for Social Computing there truly isn’t a better place in the world to be.
Another inspiration in my move is Forrester’s new Community Manager, John Cass (read about John’s background and reasons for joining Forrester). It’s impressive to me that Forrester brought in such an expert to oversee the corporate social media strategy as this shows a true understanding of how to properly engage in and harness social media for a large, publicly traded company. (And I look forward to actually sitting down with him when he returns from vacation…)
Lastly, and most awesomely, I’m now in a position that instead of eagerly awaiting the next Forrester report to guide my work, I get to help create the path for others. In my mind this is very, very cool. In a technology influence market that is rapidly evolving, nothing appeals to me more than understanding the next steps.
In my first week so far I have met some of the nicest and smartest people, so I’m even more enthusiastic about my move than I thought possible. AND, exciting for you, I’ve been informed of other Forrester openings, so if interested send me an email or DM me on Twitter.
Thanks to all for the kind support (even @DmitriGunn who (unsuccessfully) argued that I had “sold out”); it has been a fun and reassuring week talking to others offline that respect Forrester as much as I do.
Now it’s time to update all my online profiles- a task that requires far more time and effort than I have time and effort for…
August 15th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Congrats, Zac. This sounds exciting.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I was extremely impressed during our interview, I’m very pleased to have you on board. It’s going to be lot of hard work, we’re going to learn a lot, but it will be very, very rewarding. Welcome aboard!
August 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hi Zach,
Despite my “sold out” sentiments, I could not be more excited for you! Congratulations on the new position with Forrester! Now how about some discounted research? ;-)
Cheers,
@dmitrigunn
August 15th, 2008 at 9:42 am
@Marcel
Thanks so much! It is indeed exciting.
@Jeremiah
Without you I wouldn’t have a) known about the job b) been as totally devoted to getting the job or c) been as knowledgeable about the area to get the job, if it weren’t for you.
So THANKS!
@Dmitri
Thanks! And likely: no. I mean, it’s still a little early for me to ask for discounted research… give me a few more days and I’ll see what I can do.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:47 am
[…] N. Hofer-Shall (and I thought my name was a mouthful) joins Forrester as a Researcher in the same team as I am. I was really impressed with Zach during our interviews, and signaled an […]
August 15th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Zach - Just saying “congrats” understates my excitement for you. This is a big career move and you are going to a terrific place with many talented folks. Since you’re covering the IM space hopefully we’ll have a chance to work together too. I’ll be at the Consumer Forum this fall, I’m guessing you will be too.
Best,
@adamcohen
August 15th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Congratulations Zach –
Forrester continues to add great new talent and value in helping Companies better understanding and approach the new media and interactive marketing movement.
Much Success - and let’s keep Boston social media community strong.
@robertcollins
August 15th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I am SO excited for you Zach :) *fist pump* I know you’ll be happier there.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Congratulations on the new role, thanks for the mention, we can chat next week.
August 15th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Welcome to the analyst ranks. It’s fabulous when great thinkers and people like you and Jeremiah see the potential of this job, and understand the awesome responsibility. I look forward to continued engagement.
August 15th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
What a wonderful response- I’m touched by the warm wishes from all and this really further fans the flame of my enthusiasm.
@AdamCohen
Hopefully this new role will allow me “tmeet” a lot of great new people in the industry.
@Bob
I think the strength of regional companies like Forrester and SHIFT, is a testament to the power of new media/marketing/PR in the greater Boston area. Let’s all keep up the great work so we can beat up on silicon valley soon.
@Leslie
And I’m excited to hear about your wonderful move too! Send me some linkbait- I’d love to plug your new work!
@John Cass
I look forward to it! Expect a visit from me early next week.
And @Jonathan
In all fairness- it was a talk with you that helped fuel this move in the first place by teaching me how interesting and exciting tech research could be.
Thanks to all!
August 15th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Welcome aboard! Now get to work!
August 15th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Zach - I am so pleased to have you on the team. Your enthusiasm is infectious!!
August 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Congrats Zach! I think you’ll do well there. If you’re located in the research wing, look around for Adam Brown, I think he’s in research there. Have fun!!
August 31st, 2008 at 7:49 am
[…] N. Hofer-Shall (and I thought my name was a mouthful) joins Forrester as a Researcher in the same team as I am. I was really impressed with Zach during our interviews, and signaled an […]