Chris Savage

Co-founder & CEO at Wistia

Chris Savage is the co-founder and CEO of Wistia, a prominent video marketing platform that helps businesses effectively utilize video content. He co-founded Wistia in 2006 alongside his college friend Brendan Schwartz, initially starting the company in Schwartz's living room shortly after graduating from Brown University with a degree in Arts-Semiotics.1 3 4

Career and Achievements

Under Savage's leadership, Wistia has grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, currently employing over 180 people and serving more than 500,000 customers globally.1 2 6 The platform is known for its robust video hosting capabilities, advanced analytics, and tools designed specifically for marketers, allowing them to customize their video experiences and track performance without intrusive advertisements.2 4

Savage's entrepreneurial journey is marked by a commitment to independent growth; in 2018, he and Schwartz declined a substantial acquisition offer, opting instead to take on debt to buy out early investors and maintain control over their vision for Wistia.3 5 This decision reflects their dedication to building a sustainable business model focused on profitability rather than rapid expansion through external funding.

Personal Insights and Philosophy

Beyond his role at Wistia, Savage is an advocate for the Boston startup community and often shares insights on entrepreneurship, marketing, and the evolving landscape of video content. He emphasizes the importance of passion in entrepreneurship, advising aspiring founders to pursue problems they can remain excited about long-term.4 5 Savage also has a background in filmmaking; before launching Wistia, he co-produced an Emmy Award-winning documentary.3

In addition to his professional endeavors, Savage balances his work life with family commitments, showcasing a personal narrative that intertwines with his entrepreneurial journey. He often reflects on the joy of building a team of dedicated individuals who contribute to Wistia's mission of helping businesses thrive through video.4 7

Overall, Chris Savage's leadership at Wistia exemplifies a blend of creativity, strategic decision-making, and a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment.

Highlights

Sep 25 · twitter

.@brendan and I are intrinsically positive people, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that the last few years haven't been hard.

They stretched us as leaders. They challenged us to make hard decisions. They left us wondering if we were making the right decisions – for our team, for our business, and for ourselves.

But these challenging years have pushed Brendan and me more than ever to stay true to the principles that have served us since 2006, solidified why we’re in the game and committed to this journey for the long haul.

I share more about why the vibes are changing for tech and how the incredible people I connected with at HubSpot's INBOUND (like @wadefoster pictured here) make me more optimistic for the industry's future than ever.

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