Richard Brodie

Richard Brodie is a software developer, author, and entrepreneur who is best known for his work on Microsoft Word and for coining the term “viral marketing.” Here’s an overview of his biography:

Early Life and Education:
Richard Brodie was born on November 10, 1959, in Seattle, Washington, USA. He attended Harvard University, where he studied computer science.

Career at Microsoft:
In 1981, Brodie joined Microsoft as the 77th employee. He initially worked on the development of the spreadsheet program Multiplan. However, he is most prominently recognized for his role in creating Microsoft Word. Brodie was the original author of Microsoft Word for the MS-DOS operating system, which was released in 1983. His work significantly contributed to the success of Microsoft Office as a suite of productivity applications.

Contributions and Achievements:
Apart from his work at Microsoft, Richard Brodie is credited with coining the term “viral marketing” in his 1996 book titled “Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme.” In this book, he explores the concept of memes—ideas, behaviors, or styles that spread from person to person within a culture—and their impact on society. The term “viral marketing” refers to marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce exponential growth in brand awareness or product sales.

Entrepreneurial Ventures:
After leaving Microsoft, Brodie pursued entrepreneurial ventures. He co-founded a gaming software company called Electric Gravity, which developed online multiplayer games. The company was later acquired by Sony Online Entertainment.

Writing and Public Speaking:
In addition to “Virus of the Mind,” Brodie has authored several other books, including “Getting Past OK: The Self-Help Book for People Who Don’t Need Help” and “Mind Virus: The Awakening.” He has also been a speaker at conferences and events, discussing topics such as software development, entrepreneurship, and memetics.

Personal Life:
Richard Brodie has maintained a relatively private personal life, with much of his public presence focused on his professional accomplishments and writings.

In summary, Richard Brodie’s career has been marked by his significant contributions to the software industry through his work on Microsoft Word and his exploration of concepts such as memes and viral marketing. He continues to be recognized for his impact on both technology and marketing strategies.