Good afternoon,
Joe Mauro, a guy who kept many of us up to speed on technology in Delaware, has died.
Mauro was a musician, computer programmer, and artist whose career spanned the era of ink and paper and digital.
The University of Delaware grad spent time in the San Francisco area as the Silicon Valley tech industry was getting off the ground.
Armed with that knowledge and insight, Mauro returned to Delaware and with wife Ruthea Miller co-founded Miller Mauro Group in 1984.
At the time, Delaware was behind the curve when it came to personal computers.
Still, the young firm plunged ahead and pioneered the use of the Apple MacIntosh in desktop publishing systems.
Joe loved Apple computers and it did not take long before our conversations would turn to the company, even when it appeared that PCs might leave the quirky computer maker far behind.
The young firm made a go of it in a market dominated by work for DuPont Co. In fact, its tech expertise landed it work from the company that was undergoing profound changes in a global marketplace.
(A quick footnote. It was former DuPont CEO Ed Woolard, who may have saved the company. As a member of the Apple board Woolard led an effort to bring back ousted co-founder Steve Jobs).
Joe witnessed that time when the local advertising/marketing communications industry was shaken to its core when DuPont sharply reduced its advertising vendor list. Larger agencies that were overly dependent on work from the company are no longer with us.
During that period, he patiently explained the issues facing DuPont and his industry. He also kept a positive outlook that came out of an understanding of the opportunities and challenges that come with disruptive technology.
Miller Mauro managed to hold on to some DuPont business as the company was facing an increasingly brutal global economy.
While a part of an industry that is not always known for being warm and fuzzy, Joe was ready to help.
More recently, Joe struggled with health issues, but retained his passion for art, music and a kinder world.
Rest easy Joe and say hi to Steve Jobs for me.
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