Brian Robbins is leaving his own company.
The founder and CEO of AwesomenessTV announced his resignation Wednesday morning in an internal memo to staff. Robbins will stay on through a transition period, he said.
The exit comes after Comcast completed its acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, which owns a majority stake in AwesomenessTV.
Robbins lauded his team and his time at the former YouTube channel. He also assured employees that AwesomenessTV is “built to last.”
In the note, which was obtained by TheWrap and is posted below in its entirety, Robbins tasked President Brett Bouttier with helping him find a new creative partner “to help continue the expansion of this business.”
“I will always carry this company in my heart and I am forever grateful to each of you for the hard work, dedication and love that you have put into our business,” Robbins wrote. “You should be proud of what we have built together, I certainly am. And I can’t wait to see what’s next for AwesomenessTV’s success.”
Here’s the full memo:
Team ATV-
After an amazing ride, five fantastic years building an awesome company and brand alongside an incredible team of people, the time is right for me to pass the baton and seek new challenges.
It’s not a decision I made lightly. I love AwesomenessTV and all of you; I will really miss coming in here every day. I’m enormously proud of what we have been able to build together.
We’ve exceeded any expectations I could have set when Joe and I started this journey. What began as a YouTube channel has turned into a global brand and the essential next generation media company for Generation Z.
AwesomenessTV is built to last and there is so much talent here who will carry this company forward, especially Brett who has been a partner with me nearly the entire time. He will continue to lead the company and, along with me, will find a creative partner to help continue the expansion of this business. I’ll be sticking around through the transition and Joe will be staying on in his role.
I will always carry this company in my heart and I am forever grateful to each of you for the hard work, dedication and love that you have put into our business. You should be proud of what we have built together, I certainly am. And I can’t wait to see what’s next for AwesomenessTV’s success.
This company was built on a culture of creativity. I urge you all to keep forging ahead on that road. Change creates opportunities for creativity to blossom. Use this change to discover new talent, break boundaries and have no fear. I know that you all will continue to create awesomeness.
Once again, thank you all for five unbelievable years.
Brian