Today is my last day at Sony/BMG. My exit message, written in the five-minute rush before the bye-bye party, follows:

Hi:

As you’ve no doubt heard by now (most likely from Tim’s email), I’m leaving Sony. I don’t mean to send another painful note (sniff sniff), but you knew I couldn’t possibly leave without making some noise and saying goodbye. There’s also the chance that Tim’s email got caught by a filter and went straight to the “I’ll bloody well read it when I feel like it” folder or to the Trash, so this note is very much needed in many inboxes.

I know I’ve been unusually quiet recently and this news actually came as a surprise to many of you, but you must believe me when I say I’ve been quiet [sic] busy the last few weeks. If I had been able to find the time to talk to each of you individually about it, I would have. You’ve each meant something good to me, in whatever capacity it may have been.

And I’m not just saying that last bit to be sappy. I really mean it: I’m a completely different person now than I was when I first started Sony as a fresh-faced 21-year-old. It is in part because I got to know you and learn from you and grow with you (both professionally and outside of work).

I hope we can get together at some point in the next few weeks (or at one of my many going-away parties) for a chat. I look forward to great things from all of you. Just make sure I’m somewhere close when greatness happens so that I can come take credit for it. And don’t worry, I’m not going far. New York still needs me as much as I need it and I will remain in the city.

My personal contact details are below. Get in touch anytime. Especially, you, you cute little new girl. Coffee?

my love

naveen

You probably heard this advice before when you were a little kid: if you ever find yourself lost in a crowded place – like a mall – stay put. It’ll make it easier for the person you were with to come find you.

I’m staying put in NYC.