You know how, when people have really big news to give you, they dilly-dally about it?
You get this huge build up, and all the while, you know something really big is coming, and you want to tear their hair out and scream, “Get on with it!”
Not me.
I’m all about getting straight to the point.
Because what’s the point of keeping you in suspense, right…?
Ok, ok. Heh!
My big news is this: come April 16, I start at MSL Washington as their Vice President, Digital.
I know!!!
That’s big news, and a big change, isn’t it?
The funny thing is, I wasn’t looking to stop working independently. Because when I started doing so, it was never a stop-gap arrangement, something to do while I was between jobs.
I simply didn’t get the kind of job that would excite me, and rather than settle for less, I decided to do the kind of work I wanted to do, but on my own.
It’s been a wonderful four years. I’ve been able to dive into social media, not to mention start this blog (and keep it going!), and experience so much that I might not otherwise have been able to do.
But MSL called a while back, and since you never know where a conversation might lead you, I answered. And over months of conversation, it became clear to me that this was a place that excited me; not just because of the significantly expanded client base I’d have, but because they were (are) good people.
It always comes down to people.
Will you like the people you work with?
Will you trust them?
Will they look through the same kaleidoscope as you?
Or, even if they don’t, are they willing to accept your kaleidoscope is worth considering?
The answers, for me, were yes, yes, yes, yes.
So I accepted their offer and, in a couple of weeks, will return to commuting to downtown DC (and who knows traveling where else!).
I’m excited. And I hope you’ll be excited for me.
Because if my tummy is anything to go by, this is a good choice.
Before you ask, WUL isn’t going anywhere.
I mean, how can a VP/Digital not actually be… er… digital? WUL is here to stay and you’re stuck with it!
I, however, am taking a couple of weeks off (cleaning up, winding my consultancy down, traveling, getting ready for my new life), so your daily dose of WUL will come to you from the wonderful team I have at my side.
I can’t thank them enough.
And I can’t thank you enough. You’ve done so much to bolster me, you’re in danger of becoming a pillow… but a very lovely one.
Thank you so much… and I will see you in two weeks.
Image: barbourians via Flickr, CC 2.0
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[…] 2012 | Shonali Burke | 0 Comments TweetMonday, Oct. 15, will see me complete six months since I started at MSL Washington DC. I know many of you have wondered how I’ve been doing, and honestly, there’s no short […]
Wow, and congrats. In some ways, I could have written this. I didn’t plan on being solo – and still welcome, even seek out the ‘right’ f/t gigs – it just happened that way. I’d rather do the kind work I like, and work the way that fits my life. Sorry I was so late – that’s what I get for lurking so much these days. Congrats again, they’re lucky to have you.
@3HatsComm Thank you! And no need to apologize at all… I mean, I haven’t been able to comment over at your place in AGES (lurker alert!) – I really, really appreciate it, Davina!
[…] day I officially start my new job, after several years of being my own […]
Congrats, Shonali, sounds like a wonderful fit.
@jdlasica I hope so! Thank you!!! And for all that you have taught me, JD – I look forward to continuing to learn from you for years to come!
@traackr How nice of you, thank you!
@socialmediadds Thanks so much!
@jgoldsborough Thanks so much!
Once a solo PR pro, always part of our community! You’re a shining example of how we’re all the architects of our own careers — each person’s path will be different. Can’t wait to see what comes next in your next chapter!
@KellyeCrane What a sweet thing to say, Kell – thank you!!!
Props @Shonali – well-deserved and sounds like a great opportunity!
@tressalynne Thanks so much!!
Nice one! Congrats Shonali. I hear you on “the people”…it was how I choose my new gig over others.
@LisaByrne I remember reading about that! Thank you – and my apologies for not being able to reply sooner (but you saw that I was going to be out).
Speaking of being back… how is your abs/arms program going? Don’t call me on the burpees, though, LOL!
Oh my goodness! This is just FANTASTIC news. Congratulations. I tell you, I always thought that doing what you love and having the lifestyle you want were the important parts. If being independent gave that to you, great. If working with a larger agency fulfills you, that’s wonderful too! I’m so very happy for you, Shonali!
@Tinu Thank you SO much, my dear!!!
@joeldon Yes, you can. :) Thank you!
@scenestealreric Thanks!
Thanks, Rajesh!
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! Incredible news and, obviously, well-deserved :)
@MikeSchaffer Thank you, Mike! Catch up IRL soon, now that I am “closer” to you?
@adamtoporek Thank you so much!
This is great news! I’m sure doing your own thing was liberating and eventful, but I agree that it’s all about the people. When you wake up in the morning excited to go to work and see the people that you communicate with on a regular basis, you know you’ve found a great job. Looking forward to seeing you in San Francisco soon!
@jennalanger I heard they use Disqus over there. ;-)
@HowieSPM Why do you think we’re taking her out in SF? ;)
@jennalanger Thank you! And … I was talking @livefyre to them just today. :p @HowieSPM
@pronouncedalj @prtini @valeriesimon Thanks so much!
@shonali I’m the new independents SIG director for IABC DC. Should I keep you on my list?
@pronouncedalj No, thanks.
Wow, how late am I… 93 comments already.
You already know how I feel, but I’ll say it again for the record: HUGE congratulations!!! Very excited for you and your new journey!
@adamtoporek Thanks so much!!!
That’s absolutely fantastic news! I’m very happy for you and I know you will excel in whatever you do. Congrats and all the best!
Wow, congrats @Shonali Burke
@Frank_Strong Thanks so much!!
congratulations!!
Thank you all!!!
Congrats!!
We’re excited for you too!!!!! > LG, et al…. :)
Congratulations Shonali!!!
Thank you so much, Anthony!
Now that it is ‘official’, I extend my congratulations to you dear Ms. Burke. Congratulations on the new position! I hope it brings with it new challenges for you to attack and overcome. And, whatever may come, I am sure you will rock it! :)
Thank you very much!
Congratulations!
Mazel tov, congratulations Shonali!
@livefyre How nice of you, thank you!!
@ericajmoss Thank you very much! @davemurr
@seocopy Thank you so much!
@davemurr @dfriez @ginidietrich Thank you very much!
@voxoptima Thank you very much!
@mdbarber So nice of you, thank you, my friend!
@shonali Was just waiting for the public announcement. Hope you’re enjoying the time off.
@mdbarber Today I went to Costco (aargh), the Container Store (bliss) and a grocery called “Fresh Market” (meh). And the cleaning I did!
@shonali I’d go with the Container Store and Fresh Market…skip the other two! ;-)
@mdbarber Heh! I needed some bulk supplies, and Costco is good for that kind of thing. But it’s certainly not “fun.”
@shonali That is true on all accounts. But going during the week is MUCH better than the weekends, at least here.
@mdbarber That is very true. I even got parking easily, and usually it’s a madhouse.
Mazel Tov, @Shonali ! You followed your gut, and your gut (which is now smaller than it used to be, due to Boot Camp) will always lead you in the right direction! All the best!
@KensViews Haha! I love that “gut” comment. I think maybe its sense of direction is getting keener without so much fat around to distract it. :) Thank you so much, Ken… and see you soon!
You just never know where life will take you. It’s such an adventure, isn’t it?! Congrats on the opportunity. I know you’ll do great! :)
@lauraclick It really is! It’s weird, isn’t it? Sometimes the things that are the best for you happen when you least expect them to. Or should I make that always? Thank you so much!
@DaveMurr And congrats to you, too! I saw you got things launched…been traveling internationally so a little out of sorts
@ginidietrich Thank you! Yep, we are live :) Safe travels. Hope we can connect in person again, soon.
That is sooo very cool. I wish I still lived in the DC area, because I would be hitting you up for tickets! Actually, though, their prices are very reasonable, but I would love to hang out with you at a game and tweet about it.
@ExtremelyAvg LOL! Thank you!
Congrats! Don’t take too long a break on WUL :)
@timepass Thanks! And I won’t – my awesome team of guest bloggers will hold the fort down, and I will be back at WUL in a couple of weeks for sure!
Congratulations. That sounds great and I am excited for you.
@TheJackB Thank you so much, Jack!
@rieva @lisagerber Thank you both very much!
@skypulsemedia LOL! And thank you. :)
Finally you announce the move to Major League Soccer. Will you be running a new Twitter discussion about Major League Soccer measurement and who will take over public radio?
@HowieSPM Hahah! No one is taking over public radio, though jenzings will keep helping me by hosting periodically. I don’t know what I’d do without her.
@Shonali @HowieSPM Just remember us little people when you’re hoisting the Cup.
@MattLaCasse There aren’t any little people. Only little cups. @HowieSPM
@Shonali Happy to do so! It’s a fun chat. Lots of smart people involved. On topic: Congrats! Best wishes to you.
@jenzings @Shonali @MattLaCasse have you seen her office? It is the whole top floor of the washington monument. She also gets free parking right outside on the lawn.
@HowieSPM @jenzings @MattLaCasse Not only free parking on the lawn but dibs on when they allow people to scale it.
Congratulations Shonali!!! They are very lucky to have you. Best wishes!
@JenFongSpeaks Thanks so much, Jen!
Ah yes, and we can say we knew her when as she is viewing us from her rear-view mirror…..
BTW, is that you in the pic w/ the great ups?
This does sound exciting and I am very happy for you. Hopefully it won’t cut into Mr Grant Hill fitness because you have made such great progress there.
We are certainly looking forward to hearing your updates on how this gig is going and let us know whatever we can do to help you……….except send money………..I needs my money…………..just sayin’…………
Let’s see if Mr Green Mountain Boy Howie HouseMusic give his Facebook stamp of approval; and then we will be good to go, right?
Congrats ma’am; Major League Soccer……..er, uh MSL got a good one; good luck.
@bdorman264 Well, Mr. Green Mountain Boy better… right Howie HouseMusic ? Thank you, Bill! It definitely won’t cut into #mybootcamp – I do that early in the morning and there’s no way I’m giving that up!
@Shonali Howie HouseMusic I’m sorry, I should have referenced @HowieSPM but I was trying to go by his Facebook moniker…….:)
@bdorman264 Shh, @HowieSPM hates anyone to know he’s even ON Facebook!
Congratulations Shonali! I am so excited for you!
@annbevans Thank you, Annie!
Excited for you Shonali! I hope this new venture exceeds your expectations.
@hackmanj Thanks so much, Joe, and me too!
Congratulations Shonali! I completely understand and found myself in a similar situation a few years ago. It really comes down to the people!
Thank you, Sherrie! And I think you definitely hit the jackpot!
Congratulations! :)
@Hajra Thank you!
Congratulations! That is such great news. :-)
@JenMitch Thanks so much, Jen!
Again, huge ‘official’ congratulations Shonali – this is such great news and I know you and the team at MSL Washington are going to be amazing!
@JGarant Fingers crossed… thank you so much!
I know I’ve already said “congratulations” at least once, but congratulations again, Shonali!
@Erin F. That’s the kind of message one loves hearing over and over again, though. Thank you, my friend!
@Erin F. did you send her the plaque of bacon achievement you made for her?
@HowieSPM Well, she has it in a PNG format. Was I supposed to send it in a plaque version?
@HowieSPM It looks like somebody has jacked my latest conversation link, too. Hmm. That’s worrisome.
@brickandclick So nice of you, thank you!
Congratulations, what exciting news. I hope your transition is a smooth one. Incidentally, I absolutely love asking yourself the question, “Will they look through the same kaleidoscope as you?” I’ve never heard it put that way but it’s spot on since we each have multiple lenses thru which we view our world, profession, and personal lives. Cheers!
@Richie Escovedo Thanks so much! Would you believe I got the spelling of “kaleidoscope” wrong the first time? LOL!
@swoodruff re: Congrats, @Shonali! Change: It’s A-Comin’ > Wow … definitely a fan of @msl_americas — even more now! Love their NYC digs.
@iangertler Hahah! Thank you! Hopefully I will visit those soon.
I couldn’t be happier for you Shonali:) They are very lucky to now benefit from your skills, expertise and passion. You go girl! Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough How sweet of you, Kaarina – thank you!
Congrats Shonali! That’s a terrific opportunity, and you’ll do amazing things with them and their clients.
@JayBaer Thank you so much, Jay!
@swoodruff Thank you, my friend!
Congrats Shonali. They are lucky to have you. Nothing but the best in your future.
Take CARE.
Al
@Al Smith Thank you, my friend!
Shonali … what terrific news! So excited for you … the title/job sounds right up your alley, and you’re certainly worthy of such a prominent position with a great company. Wishing you the very best in this new venture.
@BrickandClick Thank you! I have to admit I’m a little nervous, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh? I really appreciate your good wishes!
Congrats Shonali! I am oh so proud of you! You definitely deserve this and I can say with confidence that those who get to work with and for you at MSL are a lucky bunch! I look forward to seeing where this new journey takes you and will be supporting you as always!
@rachaelseda Thank you so much – let’s hope they think they’re as lucky as you do, ha! Seriously, though – one of the best parts of the last four years has been getting to know and work with you. You are AWESOME!
@Shonali Aww you’re so sweet!! You made my day! ;)
@seanmcginnis Thank you!!
@shonali I would have commented on the blog post, but having issues with LF. So excited for you!
@seanmcginnis Aw, thank you!
Wow!! Congratulations Shonali. Sounds like this is going to work out fantastic! I wish you the best and if you ever need anything, you know where we are ;)
@SEOcopy Thank you! And you know where I am… I’m not going anywhere!
Excellent news, Shonali! Very excited for you. :)
@jasonkonopinski Thank you!
Congrats! So excited for you! Where do I send my resume?
@KenMueller Thanks!!! And, er, you need to clean my couch off before you send any resumes anywhere…
HUGE congrats my love! I can’t wait to see where this road takes you. xoxo
@ginidietrich Thank you!!! And me too… one place I KNOW it’s taking me is to Nawlins in a month… I can’t wait to see you!! xoxoxo