On Point

Viewpoints.com official launch!

Today we are having our official launch party.  Last week we finished a major overhaul to the site and integrated a strategic partner into the site. (currently unannounced... can you find them?)

It has now been just over a year since the whole team came together.  I am very proud of both the product, the company and the team we have built.  We launched our private beta in February, public beta on April 30th and our official 1.0 version on Sept 13th.  We now have what I belive is a first class, competitive user driven reviews site.   The next year will be all about innovation, differentiation and scale.   We believe reviews are at there most useful when the reader knows more about the reviewer.  We hope you agree and see the power in what we are building.

Be sure to take a look around the site to see how things are shaping up.  Check out some of these great reviews in  Electronics, Travel, Home & Garden or on the lighter side see what TV Shows, Movies,  Music or Books you could discover.  Of course we also have a great section for Local Places that features local Restaurants, Shopping, and even local Doctors & Hospitals.

See you on the site!  http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/Matt

Launch day is upon us!

I am pleased, excited and overjoyed to report that Sunday night, April 29, 2007 at 10:50pm was the official launch of Viewpoints.com.  Last night the entire team went to dinner (The Weber Grill in Chicago) and enjoyed a well deserved meal of steaks, drinks and deserts.  I think our team has created something special and we are proud to share it with the world.  However, we don't view it as a finished product.  In fact, we don't even consider it version 1.0.   We still have lots of ideas and important features that need to be built into the platform.  And, of course, we have lots to learn from the feedback of all of our users.

As I write this however, I realize that when I say "our team" I should realy include the 100+ reviewers who wrote more than 1,200 reviews in the last 8 weeks.  Their commitment, dedication and enthusiasim has been fantastic.  They have helped nurture the start of a community and create something special.  Thanks to our Publisher's Circle Jo, Patty, Libby,  Anne, Gamera23, Cat, CyndiA, Bryan, Matt, LaurieM , bkovacs,  ChrisJarmick, Nicole, and Niki. 

You guys are awesome!  I have found great new movies, a planter for our porch,  great new hotels and new vacation destinations. 

I feel fortunate to work with such a great group of people both here in the office and across the world.  Together, we are going to build something very special.