A Tough Week
It’s been one heck of a tough week.
My wonderful mother passed away unexpectedly due to complications from chemotherapy. She was just 62; taken too soon. I’ve been holed up with my dad for days. Someday I’ll write a completely off-topic tribute to Mom here, after the healing process has done its work. Meanwhile, to those hundreds of people who reached out to me via Twitter, Facebook and email: Thank you! – it helped.
More bad news: This week we made the difficult decision to conduct a layoff of ten percent of our account staff. While we are in good company in that many other PR agencies have had layoffs in recent weeks, it’s still a tough decision. These are good people. Not only were they our peers and friends, they were PR rock stars — we valued their contributions and are very sorry to see them go. (Note to our competitors: If you can, you should scoop them all up. I would, if I were you.)
It’s a sign of the times and despite the fact that we feel very confident about the future, we aren’t immune from the nation’s economic woes. We’ll be stronger as a result of taking these preemptive moves, to support the 90+ rockstars who remain.
That’s all I can muster for now. I hope to be pontificating here again soon. Meanwhile, thanks for your patience. I am sure 2009 has brighter things in store…
Subscribe by Email
May this week of lows propel you to even greater highs. With great sympathy.
Alison
Todd,
Sometimes when it rains, it really pours. Not an easy start of the year for you. But at the end of the day we all know that after every huge storm sun does come out.
P.S. I have lost my father when he was 65. Way too early. Sometimes life really sucks! But I am 50% of him, so he is with me every day.
Todd,
Sometimes when it rains, it really pours. Not an easy start of the year for you. But at the end of the day we all know that after every huge storm sun does come out.
P.S. I have lost my father when he was 65. Way too early. Sometimes life really sucks! But I am 50% of him, so he is with me every day.
You, your family and your colleagues are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Todd -
I have nothing but respect for your firm and the people I have been fortunate enough to know there. I hope that this is the bottom of 2009 for you and that the rest of the year is a drastic change from the past few days. Please accept my condolences for your personal loss and my best wishes for a speedy recovery for your team.
Todd-
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss — as you know, it’s a difficult time but you’ll follow your own recovery process and you will heal. Pat Breslin
Todd,
My condolences go out to you and your family.
Take a breather and take care of your personal business. Time will heal this unexpected loss.
best,
Drew
My condolences two-fold, Todd. Loss of a parent and loss of friends and contributors. Thanks for sharing with us, your loyal audience. We’re all faced with at least one facet of your challenges these days and hope to see the sun rise over the horizon very soon.
Todd, my sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Hi Todd,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom — you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Take as much time as you need to heal — we’ll all be here when you come back!
~Lindsey