Shawn Riegsecker, founder of Centro, had
worked in the newspaper business for many
years in both an offline and online capacity.
He understood how difficult it was for
advertisers and agencies to buy advertising
on thousands of local Web sites across the
country.
He envisioned a Web-based marketplace
that contained 100 percent of all local Web
sites and an easy media-planning system to
buy local online ads.
The newspaper industry, let alone the
inclusion of TV and radio Web sites, is one
of the largest, most successful and most
fragmented industries in America. It is also
the oldest media industry and is filled with
processes dating back many years. Not only
did Riegsecker find the software engineers
who believed the technology could be completed and work as expected, he had to convince the largest media industry in America
that technology could help them attract
more advertisers.
Riegsecker quit his job, took everything he
had and started working night and day to
make the company successful. He ran out of
money after six months but managed to
keep the company going on unsecured personal loans.
Today, the business is thriving. Riegsecker
builds on his success by constantly challenging rational thinking and constantly
looking for ways to excel and elevate the
company. In doing so, he doesn’t rule with
an iron fist, but instead, he clearly explains
his vision, the benefits and how the team
can get there, ensuring that everyone is
working toward the same goal.
HOW TO REACH: Centro, www.centro.net
