Every once in a while, a company’s leadership team is forced to make some very difficult decisions. That was the case back in September 2014 for Michael Zammuto, Steve Driben and the entire leadership team at Brand.com.

This article provides background pertaining to a former Brand.com employee who chose to anonymously post online false statements and accusations about Steve Driben.

Steve Driben and The Brand.com Leadership Team

September of 2014, the public-facing leadership team at Brand.com, which at that time included President & Chief Operating Officer Michael Zammuto, Chief Content Officer Jonathan Cooper, Vice President Steve Driben, Chief Financial Officer Tim Ryder, and Chief Legal Officer Ryan Andrews, Esq..

The Lay Off

The leadership team faced an uphill challenge to realign the company, reversing the declining customer base. This realignment strategy involved a reduction in workforce and the combining of complementary roles in an attempt to save the company.

Retaliatory Action From A Terminated Employee

The day after Brand.com’s difficult decision to layoff a portion of its workforce, several employees alerted the leadership team members that an employee unfortunately affected by this layoff intentionally posted false and defaming statements online about certain named individuals including Steve Driben as retaliation for his termination from the company.  

The Response

In direct response, Brand.com’s Chief Legal Officer Ryan Andrews, Esq. in conjunction with outside counsel from the Law Offices of Eric Trajtenberg, successfully filed a 33 page defamation complaint on November 18, 2014, Docket #: 14 -11287 with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Chester County; Brand.com, Inc. (plaintiff) v. John Does I-X, Jane Does I-X, ABC Partnerships I-X; DEF Limited Liabilities Companies I-X; and XYZ Corporation I-X (defendants).  There was no response from defendants and it was determined that that these anonymous statements were unfounded, knowingly false, and posted in a deliberate attempt to harm and slander Brand.com, Steve Driben and others.

The Reality

Steve Driben has always made himself available to his clients and has earned the trust and respect of hundreds of customers and coworkers from many companies over the years. Steve Driben has demonstrated the highest integrity, professionalism and respect towards his customers and business associates. 

Steve Driben Recommendations

Third party recommendations from respected business leaders are the best way to demonstrate that Steve Driben continuously displays professionalism, business acumen and an innate ability to surpass expectations regardless of business challenges or various environments.  Steve has mentored young entrepreneurs and small business owners providing actionable advice that has resulted in business growth and some of these recommendations are readily available on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedriben.

Volunteerism

Steve Driben is an active member of The School of Executive Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development at Olympic High School where he created and chairs Business Leaders in the Classroom series as well as co-chairs the Scholarship Committee. Steve also chairs The Charlotte Executive Mastermind and Advisory Board, a select group of business owners and senior leaders working together to grow emerging & small businesses.