Intel seems to be really getting the right group of people together for the next chapter in the company. They have already snagged Raja Koduri and Chris Hook from AMD as well as Ryan Shrout from PC Perspective. It looks like another person in the community is joining Intel and that happens to be Kyle Bennet from HardOCP. It appears he has taken the position of Director of Enthusiast Engagement effective April first as indicated in his tweet…
Goodbye HardOCP – Hello Intel
Effective April 1, 2019 I will be taking on the position of Director of Enthusiast Engagement for Intel’s Technology Leadership Marketing group.https://t.co/EJUrAdbkLi— Kyle Bennett (@KyleBennett) March 19, 2019
While this might seem like an April Fools joke (the start date is April 1st), it is the real deal as indicated by a lengthy post on HardOCP by Kyle. Here is a small except from that”
“As most of you know, I have run many community events in the past, with our workshops at QuakeCon probably being the most memorable. I also did more than a few enthusiast events with AMD as well, that were also great successes for everyone involved. Of all the things I have done at HardOCP in the last two decades, those face-to-face events, have truly been the most enjoyable and worthwhile things that I have been involved with. This direct engagement will be key to what I want to do with and for the enthusiast community at Intel.
I want to see Intel have events and activities focused on its technologies with the community in mind. I’m excited at the opportunity to get “boots on the ground” and start interacting with enthusiasts so we can gather your concerns, thoughts, and feelings first-hand, and foster a better understanding of where we’re going and why. My personal opinion on this is that we need to get out there and shake your hand, grab some food, and talk Intel tech. I know you will give it to us straight, and getting it straight is how the company can improve the way it engages and listens. I want to see engineers, execs, and internal Intel enthusiasts interact with our community on Intel technologies, not talk at them. Two-way communication is of the utmost importance.”
So what will happen to HardOCP? It will be “mothballed”, which means the site will not be posting any new reviews, articles, or updates. The very popular HardForums will however spin-off into a separate entity and continue to operate.
HardOCP is one of the oldest tech sites on the internet and definitely has had a very long run! We wish the best to Kyle and his transition over to Intel.
