2025 Year in Review: The Intersection of Tech, Operations, and People: Reflections on 2025

They say the days are long, but the years are short. Looking back at 2025, that sentiment has never felt truer. It was a year defined not just by "marketing" or "technology" in isolation, but by how these disciplines crashed into one another to solve real operational problems.

As I look back on the last twelve months, the theme that keeps resurfacing is integration. Whether it was parking assets, community management software, or generative AI, 2025 was about connecting the dots.

The Portfolio Approach: Co-X Holdings

A significant portion of my mental energy this year was dedicated to the ecosystem at Co-X Holdings. Working alongside Paul and Scott has reinforced a key lesson: private equity isn't just about the buy; it's about the build. Building presence for the company along with highlighting each asset has become a critical part of how we move forward. We are getting better at creating and sticking to our communication strategy which is ensuring that our investors, co-workers and staff receive regular communications about what we’re doing, where we’ve been and more importantly…where we’re going.

The Frontier: Monarrch GRM

If Co-X was about solid operational growth, Monarrch GRM was about the bleeding edge. 2025 was the year Generative Rights Management stopped being a buzzword and started being a necessity. Navigating the complexities of AI, artist rights, and IP protection has been a fascinating challenge. It’s validated my belief that the future of marketing isn't just about "creating content"—it’s about managing and protecting the rights to that creation.

Roots and Wings

Working with Monarrch, traveling to the Word Summit AI (WSAI) in Amsterdam was a wonderful part of the year. So great getting to know more people from around the world that share a passion for technology and how it can shape and become a vital tool in growing and expanding your mind and business.

Closer to home, I’ve watched my wife launch and grow her jewelry business. There is a raw, unfiltered form of marketing that happens when you are selling bracelets and earrings directly to customers. It’s a humbling reminder that at the end of the day, commerce is just people buying from people.

Looking Ahead to 2026:

So, what does 2026 hold?

If 2025 was about learning the new tools (AI, advanced ops platforms), 2026 is about mastering them. My focus for the year ahead is on Executive Operations—taking the high-level strategy and ensuring it hits the ground running.

I plan to double down on the intersection of Marketing and Technology ("MarTech"), but with a heavy dose of operational reality. We have enough tools; we need better execution.

Here’s to a strong start, a clear vision, and a prosperous 2026!