GeniusRocket CEO Steps Down
Peter LaMotte, CEO of GeniusRocket and Crowd Leader, announced that he has stepped down from his role at the video crowdsourcing agency. GeniusRocket was one of the first creative crowdsourcing companies, launching in 2007, and remains a fixture in the video crowdsourcing world.
LaMotte, who spoke at Crowdopolis LA, was responsible for taking GeniusRocket away from the open contest model, and into the curated process. In GeniusRocket's early days they produced graphic design, video, and copy in a style similar to 99designs. Under LaMotte's leadership, they shifted their model to only focus on video. They also closed their open creative community and made it available by invitation only coining the approach as "Curated Crowdsourcing," a move I strongly believe enhances the crowdsourcing process in certain instances.
Over the past two years GeniusRocket has made a name for itself as a boutique creative agency producing television and online advertising.
LaMotte told Daily Crowdsource that the company is strong, stating, "2012 was by far the best year in the history of the company." He stated that not only had GeniusRocket picked up numerous awards for their work this past year including two AMA awards and five Tellys, but they had grown their average TV video project size by 500%. Best of all, GeniusRocket hit profitability, something not many crowdsourcing companies have yet achieved.
"GeniusRocket is primed for even more growth in 2013," LaMotte stated. "The client's are happy with the work we've done, the creative community gets stronger and stronger, and we have an amazing team. I wish them the best of luck."
Having known LaMotte since 2010 I was surprised to hear of his departure. I know how devoted he's been to GeniusRocket's mission and how intensely he believes in the power of crowdsourcing. I could tell he was torn, but DC based communications firm Levick also believed in him, making him an offer he couldn't refuse.
LaMotte joins Levick to run their Digital Practice. "While it was a very difficult decision to leave a company that I have been so heavily committed to, Levick offered a great opportunity to bring everything I have learned about crowdsourcing to a new field. I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity," concludes LaMotte
LaMotte remains committed to the crowdsourcing space and has offered to step down as a speaker of Crowdopolis Big Apple to allow a slot for another platform. LaMotte will be in attendance and open to discussing his crowdsourcing knowledge with other Crowdopolis attendees.