Ab-proud exec says 'all things are possible'

We had heard Bill Wilson, AOL's ab-proud programming exec, gave his all in internal memos. And now we know. An email to the Time Warner unit's editorial team, after the internet media group's bloodbath last week, found its way into Valleywag's inbox. Wilson's call-to-arms, excerpted more fully aftert the jump, has everything. Poetry: "All things are possible until they are proved impossible — and even the impossible may only be so, as of now". Music: a clip of One Blood, by The Game, a call for the team to pull together, for one win. The only off note: "As we close out this year remember your goal: To create the best interactive experiences on the web that will generate consumer engagement (visits, page views per visit and unique visitors) which can then be monetized."

"All things are possible until they are proved impossible — and even the impossible may only be so, as of now" — Pearl Buck

Team,

It was clearly a difficult week on multiple fronts with the final pieces of the reorganization resulting from the August strategy transition unfolding and thus unfortunately the final round of layoffs taking place. In addition, as you read or heard on Friday our team leader Jim Bankoff (as well as John Buckley and Joe Redling) resigned. I hope you will join me in thanking Jim for everything he has done over the years at AOL to not only empower his entire team to execute and deliver the early success of our transition but also importantly all he has done to set us (and thus you) up for our future success. As you may have also read, details on these executive changes will be coming shortly from Randy and Ron.

With only 14 days remaining in the year I want to first and foremost thank you for a tremendous year of hard work. I trust as you finalized your goaligns you too were impressed with what each group in the entire programming organization delivered in 2006. Your dedication, persistence, tenacity, focus, execution and passion are truly a direct correlation to the great year AOL has had in 2006. All year I have thanked you each week and it is truly sincere as I know without each person's effort as part of the team we would not have had the year of successes we have enjoyed.

Most importantly, we are just getting started and our current position is one of strength that I believe will result in 2007 being the best year yet. The company for the first time in a long time is starting the year completely aligned against one single goal. In addition, with the latest reorganization the programming teams and development teams are for the first time one team and completely aligned. Very Powerful.

As we close out this year remember your goal: To create the best interactive experiences on the web that will generate consumer engagement (visits, page views per visit and unique visitors) which can then be monetized.

The only way to succeed in achieving our goal is to be user centric in everything we do. Each day as you develop, create and build our experiences think about what the user wants and needs. The consumer should be your #1 focus.

Remember that your work each and every day is directly related to AOL's success.

Let's continue our work every day with great Determination, Persistence, Focus, Passion & Execution. Bring It.

Again, thank you so much for your dedication and hard work this past year. It is greatly appreciated and very much valued.

All the best to you and your family for the Holidays.

Bill

Top Spots - take the time to check them out - for you to succeed we all have to succeed - one team - one win.

Contact information for this author is not available.