Appcast’s humble beginnings can be traced to the Upper Valley of New Hampshire, in an unassuming small town that doesn’t have the same name recognition as Silicon Valley. But, around a borrowed picnic table in an old warehouse, founder and CEO Chris Forman found himself surrounded by the same level of talent and passion that you can normally find in the tech capital. This dedicated team wasn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to drive the company forward – and drive it forward they did.
As Appcast’s reputation as a trailblazer in programmatic technology grew, our team did as well, and offices were established across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Now the proud employer of over 550 employees, Appcast has transformed from a small group of passionate, nerdy, hard workers to a leading innovator in the recruitment marketing space.
We’ve asked members of the founding team to reflect on their accomplishments and memorable moments from the early days of uncertainty to today, where their contributions continue to power Appcast’s success.
Since starting at Appcast, Mark Amdahl has had a sincere feeling of home. Based out of the Lebanon office in New Hampshire, Mark initially started as Head of Customer Success and is now the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. He is truly proud of his colleagues and Appcast’s growth over the years and is grateful that Appcast has provided so many others with both similar and unique opportunities.
Here’s what Mark had to say about his history at Appcast:
How do you remember feeling on your first day at Appcast?
Like most profound life experiences, my first day at Appcast evoked a heady mix of emotions. In addition to the usual pairing of nerves and excitement, I found myself energized by the feeling of starting off on a long journey on an unknown path. Curiously, at the same time, I experienced an overwhelming sense of gratitude and of “coming home.” It was a home base filled with smart, caring, committed colleagues who were all ready to support each other in the journey. Having worked for Chris for more than ten years before joining Appcast, I knew we would be traveling fast, but we would run as a pack and take care of each other along the way. Individually empowered but working together. For me, that sense has proven true throughout the years.
How has Appcast changed over the years?
Obviously, Appcast’s evolution has had the trajectory of a rocket and we have accustomed ourselves to the immense distance we have traveled. What remains astonishing to me is the incredible level of service and value we now provide for our customers. We have always had success in striving for stellar performance in the delivery of our services, but it is not an exaggeration to say that we have seen exponential growth in the depth and scope of our offerings to our clients. The detailed and nuanced consultative solutions that have been developed have continually raised the bar as a gold standard in a complex and ever-changing marketplace. I’m in awe of my colleagues and their engaged commitment.
How has Appcast impacted your life?
Appcast’s impact is nothing less than life-changing for me on a personal basis. It has been a dialectical lesson, both empowering and humbling. Coming to Appcast late in life, shall we say, was really a watershed experience. While there have been plenty of tough days and difficult work, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t feel an immense sense of gratitude. I’m grateful, of course, for being able to make a good living and being able to provide for my family, but what has been most gratifying is the hundreds of other families (and thousands of family members!) that now benefit from Appcast’s success. On my first day at Appcast I had the sense of coming home, and that has really rung true throughout the years. A home is for family and I’m so grateful for the Appcast family. I’m thankful for, and humbled by, the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of folks. You all are amazing.
Read more of our founder profiles on our 10-year anniversary page and join us in the year ahead as we continue to celebrate ten years of Appcast.
