The list of former TechCrunch writers who’ve gone off to greener pastures grows longer today. Yesterday was Nick Gonzalez’s last day at TechCrunch - today he starts a new job at the San Francisco startup Social Media.
Nick started at TechCrunch in June 2006 and has worked along side of me, day and night, since then. For many months in early 2007 he was the only person other than me writing for the site. He was a perfect business partner, always steady emotionally as my temper flared at regular hosting outages, missed stories and pissed off readers. In addition to writing and general analysis, Nick also kept the site running and wrote any new code we needed. Basically, I worked him to death.
At some point late last year he simply burned out, telling me (jokingly?) “I just can’t write about another fucking startup.” I think we both knew at that point that it was time for Nick to move on to the next step in his career.
He soon had offers from a bunch of startups and venture capitalists, and I think he made an excellent choice with Social Media. I suspect he’ll give his reasons for joining, as well as some juicy gossip about TechCrunch, on his personal blog in the near future. For now, you can read his bio on our About page.
Nick joins ex-TechCrunchers Marshall Kirkpatrick (now at ReadWriteWeb), Natali Del Conte (now at CNET TV) and Ben Meyer (now at Facebook) who’ve abandoned us over the years. I miss working with all of them, and all are still very good friends.
You’ll be missed, Nick. Come by any time to write a post or two, for old time’s sake. And good luck at Social Media. They are very lucky to have you.
Update: Nick speaks.
Okay. you love Duncan. You won’t fire him. Anything for Duncan?
uhm… you know…. Microsoft & Yahoo thing…
Good Luck Nick - if you’d like to do an exit interview, let me know
I can only imagine what Social Media does!
Cheers, Nick! You’ll be missed. Maybe more by Michael than anyone, but we readers will certainly feel your absence at TechCrunch. You were one of the most concise and articulate blogger’s I’ve read.
It will be fun to see how the rest pick up the slack
Did you know lot of writers got pretty bored after writing VC funded rounded?
This is why they quit.
Michael, I’ll intern move from Toronto and inter for Nick if you sponsor me for a working visa.
Michael, you need lock in these talents for longer terms somehow. You’re a lawyer, use some trickery!
In any case, Congrats Nick.
p.s. Arrington, with yesterdays spot-on prediction of the Yahoo! deal, I’d say you’ll be just fine running the show solo. haha
What’s average salary for Techcrunch?
Shit! there goes my shot at the job. haha I need to proofread my comments!
congratulations nick! (and condolences mike & heather
here’s to a great new gig at SocialMedia, and hope to see you at Graphing Social Patterns in San Diego!
mike/heather: more like nick, please!
- dave mcclure
http://graphingsocial.com/
#6 - we start all of our writers out at $250k, but of course there is a bonus on top of that. plus stock, health care, 401k and a company car. each writer also gets an administrative assistant. and a cat.
Nick, you will be sorely missed. It’s amazing how much you know about startups and technology.
Even 3,000 miles away, you’ve helped me out so many times in the past four months. since I’ve joined TC. Thank you.
Social Media really lucked out.
good luck nick! remember not to let the highs get you too high, or the lows too low.
-mike
The cat benefit is new to SV
ooh! Nick.
We’ll miss you. I liked your posts next to Mike( very nice ).
Well wish you good luck. Getting nostalgic, but yes as mike mentioned please do come down once in a while to write a post or two.
Mike, readwriteweb was from ex TC’ers good to know that. one more blog i keep checking often, nice one.
Cheers, Nag
Good luck Nick.
@Michael
You may hire me if you so choose..Our blogs have similar names :))
Just remember Nick, that after a year and half, thousands of elevator pitches, and millions of posts, you left with ‘Jangl Powering Anonymous Phone Sex On PlentyOfFish’.
Mike, where’s my cat?
Mike, I’ll miss the company Benz the most.
Thanks Erick and errr babyjesus
Oh and Nick, you’ll be missed. I’ve already taken your desk =)
Henry - great catch. Nick, nice one. way to go out on top.
Nick, this is i guess a great news for you and a great loss for TechCrunch. I want to personnally thank you for your outstanding support and help at TechCrunch France. I am sure your new team will appreciate your qualities
Is this a sign of Techcrunch heading to the its own deadpool?
How many are still on staff? How many currently open recs?
Nick, congrats and good luck at Social Media. Your TechCrunch story is a big reason why I wanted to intern there.
whaz the retention rate at TC?
Nick
Lots of luck in your new venture. Before you go, can you do all TC readers a realllllly big favor? Ban the jerk at comment #1.
May the wind always be at your back. Be well.
Hey Mike, your “compensation” comment has been taken seriously. Haha.
See here: http://techcrunchies.com/how-m.....s-writers/
Congrats on the new gig Nick!
Nick, it was great getting to know you. I remember grabbing fish and chips with you and Mike during your first week there! Best of luck on your new gig and please stay in touch. Cheers, Geoffrey
Nick, I remember talking to you pre-TC as you were weighing options. It looks like it worked out. Good luck with the next one.
Neil
ATTN: Michael Arrington
Techcrunch
I am writing this letter announcing my intentions of a bid to become the next TechCrunch writer.
I believe our many synergies, including my energetic personality along with your less than creative at times filler articles would be a perfect match.
I believe your non-existing shareholders will agree.
If you do not accept this bid, I will be forced to take further action, and go directly to your readers one by one to lobby for our grand merger.
I look forward to your reply.
Steve…err…Drew Olanoff
$250K for writing a blogs for TC?
someone tell me that was sarcasm…
Hire this guy above.
I can attest to the fact that all of what Michael wrote about Nick above is true. In the short time that I worked with Nick I found him to be knowledgeable, patient, thorough, and even-tempered. He’s great!
Congratulations on a big move, Nick! I’m excited for you!
- Natali (without an “e”!!!!)
What, are we going to have a group hug? Why is Erick the only one who’s been posting this morning?
Get back to work people.
But really, thanks readers, and special thanks to my friends in the comments (Geoffrey, Natali, Dave, Neil, Andrew, TC crew…)
I love how writing about one writer leaving leads to ten writers dropping their applications.
Best of luck Nick, i enjoyed reading your posts!
Where is my $250K? I got the damn cat, which you can have back, Michael, but I got none of this other stuff!
Good luck, Nick. It was great working with you, dude.
Nick, all the best, you’re going to be a great asset to Social Web but all of us at YC are feeling the loss
See you Nick, good luck.
“I just can’t write about another fucking startup.”
hilarious. sometimes we get tired of routine, among other things.
good luck!
Marshal Kirkpatrick is a good writer. The more I enjoy RWW.
um… does Laguna know about this new ‘cat’ benefit thing?
Congrats and good luck Nick, thanks for all the help with the TC forums. We’ll continue to keep in touch.
Nick quit when he received this
http://www.marbleweb.net/books.....shasin.jpg
@25
That was supposed to be a link-bait, which I thought looked silly in hindsight
Nick - Sad to see you go, but congratulations on the new gig. Thanks for helping me out on TechCrunch UK. It was a pleasure to read your work, and so now I’m off to go subscribe to your blog right now.
All the best,
Mike Butcher, TechCrunch UK
Hi webmaster!
Hi webmaster!
Hi webmaster!
Hi webmaster!
Nick, you have a nice jaw.
Interesting facts.I have bookmarked this site. stephanazs