SEBASTOPOL, CA — (Marketwired) — 09/12/13 — Greg Brandeau has joined Maker Media, Inc. as president and chief operating officer to accelerate the growth of the innovative media company that took DIY geek culture mainstream. Spun out from O-Reilly Media, Maker Media brands, MAKE magazine and Maker Faire, are at the forefront of the vibrant and creative community that spawned the global maker movement. An MIT-trained engineer with his own passion for making, Brandeau is a proven leader in working with venerable media organizations such as Pixar and Disney, helping them leverage technology to successfully grow their companies and familiar, beloved brands.
“Maker Media is at an exciting juncture in its young life, rife with opportunity to extend and expand our popular brands beyond our current, engaged and devoted community,” said Dale Dougherty, CEO and founder of Maker Media, which publishes MAKE magazine and produces Maker Faire, as well as operates thriving e-commerce business, Maker Shed. “Greg was involved in building the Pixar brand and growing the company when it was not much bigger than we are today. He understands what we-ve been able to accomplish this far, and he can help us take full advantage of the opportunities that are emerging as making goes mainstream.”
“I-m thrilled to join Maker Media. Building great teams and innovative organizations is what I love doing. The chance to take another young, talented and well-positioned company with a terrific brand to the next level is an opportunity I couldn-t pass up,” said Brandeau.
Brandeau-s early career working for Steve Jobs at NeXT Computer set the stage for opportunities to apply both his engineering knowledge and business training, and his passion for fostering creativity and innovation in companies. He joined Pixar when it was a relatively small company, and led the effort to develop strong teams and cutting-edge technology to establish Pixar as an entertainment powerhouse. Following the sale of Pixar to Disney, Brandeau became CTO of The Walt Disney Studios where he spent the last four years, leading technology innovation from film production to global collaboration tools. In addition, Brandeau is a co-author of the forthcoming book from Harvard Press titled, Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation which will be released in early 2014.
“Maker Media is the place both offline and online where makers around the world can come to be inspired and empowered. We believe that Maker Media brings a unique combination of community, content and commerce that is proving to have explosive growth,” said Ann Miura-Ko, a partner in Floodgate Fund and an investor in Maker Media. “Greg uniquely understands the challenge of building a global organization that can support this growth with cutting edge innovative products that consumers will love.”
“What we-re doing touches so many people in such a positive way,” said Dougherty. “Our mission at MAKE is inclusive — to expand opportunities to participate in the maker movement and help everyone enjoy the benefits of being resourceful and creative.”
Greg Brandeau earned BSE and MSE degrees from MIT, and has an MBA from Duke University. He serves on the CALIT2 Advisory Board and on the MIT Humanities Visiting Committee.
About MAKER MEDIA
Maker Media is a global platform for makers, connecting them with each other, and providing them with valuable resources, products and services. Through media, events and ecommerce, Maker Media serves a growing maker movement that is global in scope. Whether as hobbyists or professionals, makers are creative, resourceful and curious, developing projects that demonstrate new ways of interacting with the world around them. The launch of in 2005, followed by in 2006, jumpstarted a worldwide Maker Movement, which is transforming innovation, culture and education. Maker Media also develops “getting started” kits and books that are sold in its store as well as in retail channels. Maker Media spun out of O-Reilly Media on January 1st, 2013 and received venture funding from O-Reilly AlphaTech Partners, Floodgate Partners and Collaborative Fund. The company is located in Sebastopol, CA.
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Vickie Welch
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