I hated the stage.
Back in the spring of 2007, in the middle of Vienna, my predecessor and former Automotive News Publisher Peter Brown asked me if I'd welcome delegates to our annual Congress in Europe. It would be my first appearance as the new publisher of Automotive News Europe. And I was petrified.
Peter gave me just enough advance notice to allow me to fret for two days before the event. I ultimately spent the final few hours before the Congress locked away from the cocktail reception so that I could practice — and pace — in my hotel room up above the crowds, practicing and pacing and practicing and pacing.
As a boy growing up in Canada, but admiring American media, this was all I wanted: the perfection of the moment, emulating the interviewing styles of NBC's Bob Costas or Hockey Night in Canada's Ron MacLean. It had to be precise; it had to be good.
Vienna went OK (perhaps it was terrible), but it was the first step on a path that led to countless appearances in front of our loyal audience over the years, as they unknowingly allowed me to develop, learn and create my own stage style. Ultimately, the stage was synonymous with growth.
This week that passion leads me away from Automotive News to a new stage — one that combines my automotive business interests with the broadcasting energy of that young boy. I will be host of my own SiriusXM show, on a platform of some 34 million subscribers, and also take on a new business role being announced Monday, Sept. 13: president of Motormindz, a global venture consultancy.
If all the world's a stage, I've been honored to walk across it, embrace it and love it — all in the name of serving Automotive News.
In this episode of the Ally All Ears podcast, host Emma Hancock interviews Kelly Olson, Senior Director of Operations for SmartAuction at Ally Financial, about the importance of quality control in online wholesale auctions. Olson discusses advancements in online auction platforms, highlighting the importance of detailed condition reports, AI technology for damage detection, and the evolving incorporation of electric vehicle information, all aimed at building trust and reliability for dealers purchasing pre-owned inventory.
What an adventure
Peter Brown couldn't have predicted the path then, even after he assigned me to cover General Motors a year after my arrival at Automotive News — taking a chance on a guy with a Midwest sportswriter background.
And neither could our chairman, Keith Crain, who approached me in a Detroit office conference room a year later, after I accepted an overseas assignment in Munich for Automotive News Europe.
Keith had two words — one question — for me that day: "Wie geht's?" he asked, in German.
(Translation: "How goes it?")
"Uhhhh … Ja," I responded.
The kid with a German father was off to Germany and couldn't speak a word of it.
A new stage. One that proved life-changing.
Covering the Volkswagen and Porsche world was one of the most fascinating times of my 18 years at Automotive News. I watched as the European Union morphed and changed, as Chevrolet tried to move into Eastern Europe, Ford went into Russia and Ferdinand Piech went into overdrive trying to maintain control of his family's legacy.
But less than two years into my time in Munich, Peter Brown called.
"You need to get on a plane from Munich to Detroit in two days to meet Keith," he told me. "And don't tell anyone why you're coming."
This time, Keith had another question for me. He wanted me to be publisher of Automotive News Europe. Immediately.
(This time, thank God, he asked me the question in English.)
I accepted, and the stage changed forever.
Words of wisdom
Keith's counsel: Try different things, test new markets, don't be afraid to make mistakes and, most importantly, "have fun."
I couldn't have had better mentors than him and Peter Brown.
It was a wondrous time filled with great industry personalities, vibrant auto shows, global dinners and, mostly, new friends.
Years later, after I'd returned to Detroit to be editor of Automotive News, Keith asked a final question: "Will you be the publisher?"
Was there an option?
The chance to grow our powerful brand, surrounded by extremely talented, highly committed colleagues and passionate teammates, made the last eight years a wondrous journey complete with a vibrant transformation to new videos, podcasts, virtual car reveals, expansion into mobility, fixed operations, Canada and our Leading Women enterprise.
Amid it all there was a common theme among readers: "Automotive News just doesn't miss a beat," they told me again and again.
Incredible teammates. Wonderful clients.
Amazing moments and people.
This brand is filled with close connections, from my business partner for 18 years, KC Crain, to the two people who interviewed me for the job back when I didn't know a CAR conference from a car: Ed Lapham and Dave Versical.
Which leads me to Dave, our chief of editorial operations, who not only took a chance on hiring the Midwest sportswriter, but also handed him a story to write on his first day on the job in October 2003.
Former Ford and Chrysler marketing executive Joseph Campana had died.
Automotive News needed a writer for the story.
"Give it to the new kid," Versical said, pointing to me.
I didn't know Joe Campana from former Brooklyn Dodger Roy Campanella.
But Dave guided me, led me and taught me, as he has done for the last 18 years, even during his stint as a Bloomberg editor when we'd meet for breakfast on Detroit's east side on my visits home from my publisher gig in Europe.
He was a mentor. And sometimes I'd tell him how much I was afraid of the stage that I'd been asked to take.
"No problem," Dave assured me, as he sipped his coffee. "You can do it."
Indeed, we did.
