Welcoming Mary Jo to the BWW Family

Welcoming Mary Jo to the BWW Family
Some key members of the BWW family: Tony, me, George, Mary Jo, Michele, and Megan.

Today, my parent company, BWW Media Group, announced that Mary Jo Foley is partnering with us to build a community of technologists. I’m excited to welcome her to the BWW family. And to explain to you all what’s happening here.

As you probably know, Mary Jo and I have been partnering, in a sense, for years: We’ve co-hosted the popular Windows Weekly podcast with TWiT’s Leo Laporte each week for almost six years.

But our relationship is deeper than that. Despite beginning as rivals, we’ve developed a wonderful friendship and camaraderie over the years. It’s something I’m incredibly happy about, and we interact on a daily basis, discussing things both personal and professional as we navigate through this ever-changing industry.

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That relationship is part of a broader series of friendships I’ve developed over the years. It spans those I work with—before, at Windows IT Pro, and these days at BWW—those who do similar work in the industry at other publications and websites, and those who work for Microsoft and the other companies we cover regularly.

These relationships matter. Looking back at over 20 years in this industry, what I’m most happy about, most proud of, are these relationships. Ultimately, they are the only thing that really matters. They are what persists.

As you might imagine, these relationships can intersect in interesting ways. After a Microsoft event in mid-2015, Mary Jo and I had a meet-up at Rattle ‘N Hum, as we often do, and there were a number of BWW co-workers there, as well as several bloggers and Microsoft employees. Internally, we had been discussing the difficulty of hiring someone across both Thurrott.com and Petri.com—BWW’s main websites—and finding exactly the right person. And it wasn’t until the next morning, when I was reflecting on the interesting interactions of the previous night at Rattle, that it dawned on me. Brad. Brad was the one. Harried phone calls ensued.

Trusting someone enough to let them into your most important work—and into your private life—is difficult, and that decision is not made lightly. It’s happened with Rafael, of course. And it’s happened with Mary Jo, though until this week it has been more informal than formal. But we’ve been collaborating for years, of course. I assume that is obvious.

Well, now we are formally collaborating as well. BWW—again, my parent company, more on that in a bit—has announced that it is partnering with Mary Jo to create a community for technologists over on Petri.com, a sister site under BWW. She is the community magnate—love it—and will help us find content and, perhaps more crucially, form relationships that will shape our progress in the years ahead.

Speaking of relationships, I suspect many of you are confused about the relationship between this site, myself, and the broader BWW family.

I can explain this. 🙂

BWW Media Group—formerly Blue Whale Web—is the parent company of both Thurrott.com and Petri.com. I am a minority partner in BWW, so I’m a co-owner, of sorts. BWW is run by George Coll, so in addition to being a great friend and boss, is also a business partner. How’s that for an intersection of relationships?

We’ve wanted to bring Mary Jo into the BWW fold from the beginning, of course. But as you probably know, Mary Jo already has a regular gig at ZDNet, where she writes the All About Microsoft column. So it may have seemed that such a linkup was impossible. But as it turns out, this new role is perfect. For all of us.

Mary Jo and BWW Media Group have separately explained the why of this partnership. But for me, this new type of relationship simply expands on something Mary Jo has already been doing with me, or perhaps for me, which is expanding my relationships with others in the industry. And not just the experts who speak at events or write about technology, but the readers and technology enthusiasts who matter most of all. Through meet-ups all around the world, Mary Jo has helped me reach out to others in ways I’m not sure I could have done on my own.

And now she’s doing it formally for BWW—and for Petri.com—as well. How wonderful is that?

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Conversation 78 comments

  • awright18

    23 February, 2017 - 9:15 am

    <p>In a word, Awesome! Congrats to all of you! This makes perfect sense!</p>

  • andrewtechhelp

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 9:17 am

    <p>This is great. Welcome Mary Jo!</p>

  • Cosmin Tătaru

    23 February, 2017 - 9:21 am

    <p>A warm welcome to Mary Jo Foley to the BWW family!</p>

  • RonH

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 9:37 am

    <p>Finally!</p>

  • jmeiii75

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 9:44 am

    <p>Everything is better with Mary Jo. Congratulations and welcome! </p>

  • North of 49th

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 9:53 am

    <p>Very Cool…</p>

  • prjkthack

    23 February, 2017 - 9:58 am

    <p>Yessssssssssss! Welcome Mary Jo!</p>

  • ilovemissy85

    23 February, 2017 - 10:03 am

    <p>Cant wait this sounds GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

  • goodbar

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 10:03 am

    <p>This is awesome, you two are the peanut butter and jelly of the Microsoft world…&nbsp; Welcome!</p>

  • xapache

    23 February, 2017 - 10:12 am

    <p>What an obvious thing to happen – surprised it took this long.&nbsp; Congrats to the gang!</p>

  • TheSalientOne

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 10:13 am

    <p>But will there be a BeerNow microblog on Petri?</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      23 February, 2017 - 2:10 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#44411">In reply to TheSalientOne:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Love it.</p>

  • Polarbear

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 10:13 am

    <p>Welcome aboard; extremely talented with so much to offer this team. Excellent partnership.</p>

  • GotCobol

    23 February, 2017 - 10:15 am

    <p>Congrats!, does this mean an upgrade from Notepad is required? jk….</p>

  • glenn8878

    23 February, 2017 - 10:31 am

    <p>Did she leave Zdnet All About Microsoft? </p>

    • George Coll

      Premium Member
      23 February, 2017 - 12:06 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#44430">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p>Nothing changes for Mary Jo at ZDNet – All About Microsoft … the great stuff continues. This is new for both BWW Media Group and Mary Jo, working together on something that we are all passionate about. Check out these posts for more insights: <a href="https://petri.com/hello-petri-meet-your-new-community-magnate&quot; target="_blank">Mary Jo's first post on Petri</a> and an broader <a href="https://petri.com/it-is-hard-takes-grit-and-its-all-about-amazing-people&quot; target="_blank">overview </a>of what we are doing. Thanks for your support!</p>

      • mebby

        23 February, 2017 - 12:47 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#44455">In reply to George Coll:</a></em></blockquote><p>Thanks for the info. Seems like great news all around.</p>

  • ldsands

    23 February, 2017 - 10:48 am

    <p>Is anyone else thinking "finally!"? I was wondering if this would ever happened. Now my (an many others') favorite Microsoft journalists are all in the same place.</p>

  • dallasnorth40

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 10:49 am

    <p>Very nice, indeed!</p>

  • rameshthanikodi

    23 February, 2017 - 11:37 am

    <p>ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!</p>

    • anchovylover

      23 February, 2017 - 2:23 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#44441">In reply to rameshthanikodi:</a></em></blockquote><p>Complete with Member No: 00 ?</p>

  • vernonlvincent

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 11:54 am

    <p>"Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here"</p><p><br></p><p>Seriously, this can can only make things better – and that's already a high bar to clear. Congratulations to everyone!</p>

  • russellsouthey

    23 February, 2017 - 12:17 pm

    <p>Wonderful news! So pleased Mary Jo has joined the BWW team… on-wards and up-wards!</p><p><br></p>

  • lordbaal1

    23 February, 2017 - 12:35 pm

    <p>I thought she got a job at Buffalo Wild Wings.</p>

    • Mary Jo Foley

      Premium Member
      23 February, 2017 - 12:59 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#44470"><em>In reply to lordbaal1:</em></a><em> That's my evening gig. Don't worry — that still leaves me plenty of time to dig up some excellent enterprise links for you to enjoy over a pint :)</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • dougkinzinger

      23 February, 2017 - 1:31 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#44470"><em>In reply to lordbaal1:</em></a>&nbsp;So did I until I remembered Blue Whale Web. :)</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • TinkerToyTech

      25 February, 2017 - 11:23 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#44470"><em>In reply to lordbaal1:</em></a><em> that's a secret!</em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><p><br></p>

  • TweakHound

    23 February, 2017 - 12:39 pm

    <p>Outstanding! Congrats all around!</p>

  • fraXis

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 12:45 pm

    <p>This is great news Paul.</p>

  • Shane

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 12:50 pm

    <p>Well I knew lol</p><p>No wonder Brad avoided something that I said in a comment a while ago.</p><p>She was, is the obvious choice to help you grow this awesome site, sites.</p>

  • OwenM

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 1:05 pm

    <p>One step closer to the two of you writing that book together</p>

  • jmhartman

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 1:14 pm

    <p>Great, I have listened to your Windows Weekly Podcast since the beginning and think the shows since Mary Jo joined are some of the best on the net.</p>

  • jrswarr

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 1:17 pm

    <p>Excellent – someone to explain the big words to you…. :)</p><p>Great get for BWW and all us plain users.</p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 1:30 pm

    <p>Fantastic news!! Looking forward to everything that this partnership brings!</p>

  • Daekar

    23 February, 2017 - 1:33 pm

    <p>Look like I'm going to need to watch Petri more religiously. I love MJ's work on ZDNet, it's the best reporting on their site.</p>

  • winlonghorn

    23 February, 2017 - 1:34 pm

    <p>Congratulations Mary Jo! I always enjoy watching you and Paul on Windows Weekly. There is never a dull moment. That is for sure! lol Btw, Xbox Rocks! 🙂 lol</p>

  • Mike Cramer

    23 February, 2017 - 2:04 pm

    <p>Wonderful news. You'll have to bring in&nbsp;Leo as your stoic-yet-zany butler.</p>

  • BeckoningEagle

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 2:06 pm

    <p>Awesome News!! It would be nice if some of her enterprise articles make it into the thurrott.com news feed. (I know Brad, this is a consumer site)</p>

  • Ed

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 2:12 pm

    <p>Very cool… looking forward to the contributions…</p>

  • Narg

    23 February, 2017 - 2:14 pm

    <p>Welcome Mary Jo!&nbsp; Good to see BWW growing with good talent.</p>

  • jim.mcintosh

    23 February, 2017 - 2:16 pm

    <p>Great news.&nbsp; Maybe as an additional duty she can moderate FRD.</p>

  • illuminated

    23 February, 2017 - 2:20 pm

    <p>Just read that Mary Jo is getting BMW from the family. Nice family 😉 </p>

  • jaystyba

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 2:20 pm

    <p>Congrats – I am looking forward to seeing how this shakes out – HADOOP!</p><p><br></p>

  • Piras

    23 February, 2017 - 2:21 pm

    <p>For a moment there, I thought you meant she joined you as a BMW owner. </p>

  • DrPhil

    23 February, 2017 - 2:28 pm

    <p>WIN! Welcome MJF. Looking forward to seeing the results from you guys working together.</p>

  • chriswong13

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 2:31 pm

    <p>Nice!&nbsp; Onward and upward…&nbsp; :)</p>

  • dstrauss

    23 February, 2017 - 2:31 pm

    <p>Great addition – Halo and Hadoop together at last…</p>

  • Grimwar

    23 February, 2017 - 2:33 pm

    <p>Congrats Mary Jo Foley.</p><p>You look happy in the above photo. Radiant even.</p><p>Paul… looks Smug! Cheshire<strong> </strong>Cat even?</p>

    • Brandonlpierce

      Premium Member
      23 February, 2017 - 2:40 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#48688"><em>In reply to Grimwar: I'm guessing that isn't his first beer.</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • Grimwar

        23 February, 2017 - 5:00 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#49112"><em>In reply to Brandonlpierce:</em></a></blockquote><p>Maybe?&nbsp; But looking at the photo again!</p><p>Who ate the food?</p>

  • Brandonlpierce

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 2:40 pm

    <p>Very cool, congrats everybody!</p>

  • iantrem

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 3:03 pm

    <p>At last, someone that can improve the Xbox coverage on the site! :-)</p><p><br></p><p>As others have said, surprised it's never really happened outside Windows Weekly before but looking forward to seeing what the new partnership brings.</p>

  • chaad_losan

    23 February, 2017 - 3:04 pm

    <p>Surprise! Welcome to asylum officially. </p>

  • dfeifer

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 3:10 pm

    <p>Love you Mary Jo</p><p><br></p><p>on a side note, Guess I now know that BWW doesn't stand for Beer World Weekly</p>

    • Tim

      Premium Member
      23 February, 2017 - 6:47 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#50807">In reply to dfeifer:</a></em></blockquote><p>You sure? </p>

  • Paul.Braren

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 3:11 pm

    <p>This is great news, happy for both of you!</p><p>Been an avid listener and readers or years, looking forward to more of those inevitable Hadoop and Delphi mentions. Such fun, and such great information and analysis, from you both.</p>

  • bassoprofundo

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 3:30 pm

    <p>I read the headline and saw the pic from my phone and thought you guys just had some sort of Windows Weekly meetup at <em>B</em>uffalo <em>W</em>ild <em>W</em>ings.</p>

  • Troughley

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 4:01 pm

    <p>Excellent news and honestly a logical move. Mary Jo has always been a vital part of the Microsoft discussion and the partnership between you two has been the main reason why I listen to Windows Weekly. For someone who works for MS, I welcome your perspectives from an external sens. Keep up the incredible growth Paul. </p>

  • nexsoft

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 4:04 pm

    <p>Great to hear. How about an additional pod cast with MJ; I don't watch WW much anymore just don't like the format now and miss her comments. </p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 4:17 pm

    <p>Great news 🙂 I feel the Petri site hasn't had as much attention as the Thurrott site. Whilst not a site overhaul, it's better – a good shot in the arm. Looking forward to seeing what comes of this.</p>

  • billreilly

    23 February, 2017 - 5:06 pm

    <p>Finally, somebody who knows what they're talking about!… Sorry Paul but you lost the plot a while ago when it comes to Microsoft and Windows!</p>

  • Bats

    23 February, 2017 - 5:27 pm

    <p>Community of technologist? Lol…. More like a community of Microsoftists. Lol.</p>

  • PhotM

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 5:28 pm

    <p>Awesome Paul &amp; now Mary Jo!!!!</p><p>I 'love' both of you. You both have helped my so much to get up, and stay up, to SPEED!!!!</p><p>Thank You Both, So Much! :D</p><p>Crysta</p>

  • jvpulver

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 5:33 pm

    <p>Nice photo, such happy looking group. Hope you work as well as you drink.</p><p><br></p><p>Jeff</p>

  • spewak

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 6:17 pm

    <p>In other news,Mary Jo gets a new BMW! </p>

  • brettscoast

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 6:25 pm

    <p>Wonderful news Paul Mary Jo is someone many people in the tech industry have a lot of respect for she has fitted in perfectly on windows weekly with yourself and Leo over the past few years. The discussions are always interesting and informative.</p>

  • robincapper

    23 February, 2017 - 9:34 pm

    <p>Congratulations, news so good even P Thurrott is smiling, HADOOOOOOOOOP!</p>

  • Tiny

    Premium Member
    23 February, 2017 - 10:16 pm

    <p>I also extend a warm welcome to Mary Jo. I'm just hoping that isn't a glass of wine she is holding in the picture.</p>

  • Joseph R. Jones

    23 February, 2017 - 11:28 pm

    <p>My definition of success is, quite simply, the ability to choose the people you work with. If you can earn a living while managing that, you win. </p><p><br></p><p>Congrata!</p>

  • irfaanwahid

    24 February, 2017 - 12:45 am

    <p>Welcome Mary Jo. You guys are great on Win Weekly with Leo. We hope to see some articles on Thurrot.com also.</p>

  • genevangampelaere

    24 February, 2017 - 2:39 am

    <p>Waw, great news! A warm welcome to MJ!</p>

  • peterh_oz

    24 February, 2017 - 4:28 am

    <p>Looking forward to her "Xbox Today" daily podcast wrap :D</p><p>Seriously though, congrats to all involved &amp; welcome MJF!</p>

  • wosully

    Premium Member
    24 February, 2017 - 3:03 pm

    <p>You guys always seem to have such a good time together and make it entertaining and informative for us. Congratulations to you and your team! </p>

  • cybercheryl

    24 February, 2017 - 4:06 pm

    <p>Fantastic! She is a great addition. Love Windows Weekly too.</p>

  • MixedFarmer75

    Premium Member
    25 February, 2017 - 8:52 am

    <p>Nothing but a win for everyone from my viewpoint.&nbsp; Congrats to everyone.</p>

  • TinkerToyTech

    25 February, 2017 - 11:19 pm

    <p>Paul and MaryJo</p><p>Congradulations on the big move MaryJoe and I hope all involved have a profitable and happy time on the new endevor!</p><p><br></p><p>I watch Windows Weeky Live every week, and if I get you both on this site as a premium member, I'll sign up!</p>

  • franklyray

    Premium Member
    27 February, 2017 - 6:42 am

    <p>I look back at the initial pairings on WW to the current chemistry and respect. Congratulations to all for this move. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/AudienceAdvocate&quot; target="_blank"><u>#AudienceAdvocate</u></a> – Google it. </p>

  • mortarm

    29 March, 2017 - 3:57 pm

    <p>I'm curious how ZDNet feels about this setup. If they can her will BWW hire her on to continue her column?</p>

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