VR specialist Here Be Dragons hires Tumblr founder
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Michelle Clancy
| 08 March 2017

Here Be Dragons, a specialised experience studio comprised of creative innovators in virtual and augmented reality, has hired former Tumblr president John Maloney as networks producer.

Maloney will expand the company’s reach into all aspects of the content, experiential and installations business with an aim to see what the VR medium can accomplish for creators, brands, businesses, and traditional media platforms alike.

Previously, he was employee No 3 at the now-ubiquitous Tumblr – acquired in 2013 by Yahoo for $1.1 billion. From 2008-2012, Maloney oversaw Tumblr as president. In 2015, Maloney was the interim president of Circa, a tech news start-up, which was acquired by Sinclair Broadcasting Group. Later, Maloney founded Terrapin Bale, a seed stage venture fund with a current portfolio of 30 companies.

“John is a rare force – one who sees where the market is headed before others do,” said Patrick Milling-Smith, co-founder and president of Here Be Dragons. “Together, we’re going to test the boundaries of what storytelling and experiences in this medium are capable of – engaging, empowering and educating a community form a practical technical and creative standpoint.”

“I'm excited to jump in with this accomplished, talented team,” said Maloney. “VR is in need of a new standard. There are many creatives and brands doing inspiring work in the medium – but it's still early days. We want to be a force that unifies and emboldens — we will focus on unlocking the medium's potential that consumers and content creators are ready to experience.”