1) Its good for the industry. Having Aaron Strout out in the bigger “community” is a positive for all of us. He’ll surely expand his network thereby expanding ours. And if he says ONE thing bad about Boston, we’ll find him.

2) Its good for Boston. I just moved my family back to Boston from Silicon Valley. I spread the word that “Boston is a talent and creative mecca” while I was there… and I am sure Aaron will too.

3) Get out of the fishbowl. This was Aaron’s time to spread his wings and fly… or shed his gills and walk… or… you get the idea. He’s off to do some great things

Let’s all just wish him congratulations and grow soul patches in his honor, shall we? And… by the way… I’ll happily drink his beer at any upcoming tweetups — while I can’t fill his shoes, I can have fun trying. consider me the “New Blood” CC Chapman mentioned above.

Cheers!

@patrickmoran
CMO, Mzinga

Although I must admit I have met several of people you cite as leaving, YOU among several aforementioned others, are a solid core SM group. Maybe not a “loss” of SM leadership, but a “shift” to others. I am proud to call myself a recent graduate and a social media junkie. I was glad to met you at PCB3, and I’ve been impressed with your work since then, in just a few months you’ve done amazing things. I was inspired by the Boston SM community, and I would like to help contribute to the growth of the SM community here in the Twin Cities.

Shawn | @shawnhorton

First of all, I am honored to be mentioned so kindly in your post. Second (and belatedly), as the group here has confirmed, you are easily one of the top dogs in Boston on the social media front (you just need to get a job that better aligns you with your passion – do that and you’ll blow us all away). Third, you still have tons of talent as evidenced by the folks commenting on this post like CC, Ari, Doug, The Perkett-ers, the SHIFT-ers, Van Hoosear, @bostonmike, @cspenn, @dmitrigunn, Leslie AKA @geechee_girl, Ann Handley, Jim, Rachel and Alexa from Mzinga (and don’t forget Colin if he can stay focused). The best part of all is that I can’t wait to come back for a social media breakfast and compare notes for what Bryan, Kyle, my sister Heather, Peter Kim and JLJohansen have done down in Austin.

Best,
Aaron | @astrout

It was a great night meeting you, and the other social media stars from Boston @ The Good Life. I think you’re not giving yourself, and them, enough credit. And based on the responses to this post, I’d say others agree. The future of Boston Social Media is bright, and you’re a big part of it. Best of luck to you & the others in leading the way. I’m looking forward watching from Detroit.

Thanks for the post. It’s good to see someone actively pushing for this. I’ve been saying for a long time the E. Coast (particularly Boston) has as much or more “social talent” than the W. Coast, but now one would know that. Maybe we’re just more modest.

Maybe it’s time for some type of bigger, annual or semi-annual conference/event?

Joel

And by the way– thanks to those above who gave a shout to SHIFT Communications. I’m one of those folks, for those who don’t know, and appreciate the mentions.