Saturday, July 6, 2013

15 Years at Kodak

(clockwise) Part of the dot.com crew my first year at Kodak • the office events committee at Frontier Field • at a concert in NYC for So Kodak • the social media team at photography week at Chautauqua

Today marks an anniversary for me. It doesn't seem like it since it's a Saturday, but 15 years ago July 6th was my first day at Eastman Kodak. I had just graduated from RIT with my Masters degree in May, interviewed at Kodak shortly after and next thing I knew I had my first real job.

(clockwise) In the pits at a Nascar race with the Kodak car • at the 2008 Beijing Olympics • on the Oscar's Red Carpet at The Academy Awards • at the top of Kodak Tower watching the falcons that nested there

This job has been such a huge part of my life for 15 years. I have traveled the world, been to amazing events, spoke in front of crowds and cameras, learned so much and made friendships that will last a lifetime.

(clockwise) posing with the world's first digital camera • meeting Martha Stewart • on the roof of The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood • in Donald Trump's office on the set of Celebrity Apprentice

Some people are amazed that I have stayed with one company for 15 years, almost unheard of in today's job market. But I have had so many different roles and challenges, my job has never been the same two years in a row.

(clockwise) kodak.com team on site at the opening of Disney's Haunted Mansion movie premiere in Hollywood • meeting Ann Curry on stage at the 140 Conference • working a Kodak Challenge photo experience at the LPGA golf tournament • on set of the Celebrity Apprentice

Even as I type this, my group is heading toward a new adventure as we are being sold. We will separate from the Kodak "mothership" yet carry on the brand, something we don't take lightly.

The Kodak I started off at as a visual interaction designer and the Kodak I work at today as a social media manager is a very different one. I have watched other groups be sold and some shut down. Much of it has been hard and I count myself very lucky to be part of a group that will be carrying the Kodak name on and we are all very excited about where we are heading.

(clockwise) PMA in Anaheim • IPEX in Birmingham, UK • CES in Las Vegas • Photokina in Cologne, Germany

Recently the Kodak CEO said something that, regardless of whether you agree with his leadership in the past years or not, struck a cord with me. He said Kodak is one of the last companies in the US where the employees don't think they work for Kodak. They believe they ARE Kodak.

I am thankful for everything Kodak has done for me and I hope that I can continue to do what I do for the brand for some time to come.

9 comments:

  1. Great post. I was lucky enough to work with you, if only for a little while, at Kodak. And yes ... Kodak'ers bleed Yellow.

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  2. I was just thinking back on all my years of video blogging, and the people I've met. Meeting you and Tina at 140 was a highlight.

    You get it. It's all about people.

    I loved working with you on all the Kodak projects including the Zi8, PlaySport, and others, and loved being part of the Streamy's and the Oscar's Red Carpet at The Academy Awards. A once in a lifetime event.

    Congratulations!

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  3. Congrats on 15 action-packed, amazing, roller coaster, fun, rock 'em sock 'em, crazy, enlightening, photo-filled years!

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  4. Jenny - I am so lucky to have you as a friend and a co-worker. Congratulations on 15 years! Such a beautiful post filled with memories and great peeps!

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  5. Steve, Tom and Paulette - Thanks so much! So glad Kodak brought us all together!

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  6. Jenny, you've played such a part in keeping the Kodak brand fresh and relevant amidst all the chaos. Congrats and keep it up!

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  7. Congrats on 15 years! It's great to see all those photos of the things you've got to do, plus see other familiar faces.

    While most people I'm friends with don't keep an excellent blog like you do where I can remember all these moments, I will say that the Kodak crew you're a part of has always reminded me of a close knit group. You weren't just co-workers. That's saying something about company culture there.

    Best of luck as things change up again!

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  8. Congrats on you 15 years at Kodak! Best wishes on the new Kodak venture and Janda Made!

    Let me know if you'll be at Blogher this week.

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  9. Lady M - Thank you! No.. I am sad to say I won't be at BlogHer this year : (

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