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Remembering Chris Faw — and Forging Forward
Every Monday morning, the team at Next Media Partners meets on a video call. We talk about industry news, client projects, prospective work and whatever else has happened since we last spoke. We exchange ideas, challenge one another, solve problems and inevitably share plenty of friendly banter. We look forward to those Monday mornings. Over the years, this group has become more than a collection of business partners. We’re a family of sorts.
So, this Monday morning is especially difficult.
For the first time, we begin our week without Chris Faw.
Chris passed away on September 23. At NMP, we lost a partner and colleague. More importantly, we have lost a dear friend.
More Than a Business Partner
Those of us fortunate enough to work closely with Chris experienced his remarkable qualities every day: integrity, generosity, intelligence, humor, curiosity, loyalty, optimism and an almost endless willingness to help.
Chris was someone you always wanted in the room.
He was smart and experienced, certainly, but that wasn't what made him special. Chris listened. He asked questions. He challenged assumptions. He made connections others didn't see. And regardless of how serious the subject was, there was usually a smile, a laugh or a story somewhere along the way.
He also had an extraordinary instinct for bringing people together. If Chris knew two people who should know one another, chances are they soon did. If someone needed advice, an introduction, encouragement, or simply a few minutes to talk through an idea, Chris made the time.
That generosity was simply part of who he was.
A Remarkable Professional Life
Chris built an extraordinary career across media, technology and advertising. He was an executive, entrepreneur, innovator, advisor, investor and board member. He helped build businesses, introduce new technologies, challenge established thinking and move our industry forward. His professional accomplishments were many, and his influence reached across companies and generations of people in our industry. But a list of titles and accomplishments doesn't adequately explain Chris Faw. Because Chris understood something more fundamental about business: business is about people.
He treated people with respect. He shared what he knew. He celebrated other people's successes. He opened doors. He helped younger colleagues find their way. And he understood that the best organizations are built by creating an environment in which people want to participate and contribute to something larger than themselves.
The Man Behind the Accomplishments
As impressive as Chris's professional life was, those accomplishments tell only part of his story. Chris gave generously of his time and himself. He cared about his community. He supported causes he believed in. He mentored people. He made introductions without asking what was in it for him. He encouraged people to pursue opportunities and ideas.
And he genuinely enjoyed people. That mattered to Chris.
Perhaps that's why so many people considered Chris not simply a colleague, but a friend.
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend
For all that Chris accomplished professionally, nothing was more important to him than his family. Those who knew Chris knew the pride and affection with which he spoke about them. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and those roles were central to who he was. Our hearts are with Chris's wife, Cathy, and his entire family. We hope they know how deeply he was respected, admired and loved by the enormous community of people whose lives he touched.
In the Words of His Friends and Colleagues
Since news of Chris's passing began to spread, we have been deeply moved by the extraordinary outpouring of affection and respect from across the media, advertising and technology communities. The words are different, but the portrait they paint is remarkably consistent.
“Chris was a true legend — one of those rare people whose impact on the industry was matched only by the warmth, generosity, and joy he brought to everyone around him.” — Ben Tatta, CSO, Operative
“Great partner and colleague for sure. Chris will be missed by all who had the benefit of his time over the years.” — John R. Wimmenauer, CFO, Comcast Advertising
“Chris was a wonderful friend and a true innovator.” — Amy Leifer, Chief Advertising Sales Officer, DIRECTV
There are many more. Together, they say something that no biography or list of accomplishments could say nearly as well: Chris mattered to people. And people mattered to Chris.
Remembering Chris
A celebration of Chris's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Harrisburg YMCA, where he and Cathy were founding members. Whether or not you can join his family and friends at the celebration, we ask that you join NMP in making a donation to the Western Carolina University Foundation. Chris was very proud of his education and ongoing support of his alma mater. You can make your gift online using the following link:
To direct your donation to the scholarship Chris and Cathy Faw established in 2023, scroll down and select “Find Other Gift Designations Here!” Type “Faw” into the search box. Select “Faw Annual Scholarship.”
Forge Forward
There is one more thing we think Chris would want us to say. Keep going. Keep creating. Keep helping one another. And keep pushing the industry forward.
Chris would not want any of us to stand still. He would want us to forge forward — to keep building, keep challenging ourselves, keep helping one another and keep looking toward whatever comes next. And when Monday morning comes, get back to work on something worth building.
We will miss our partner terribly.
We will miss our friend even more.
And as we forge forward, we will carry Chris with us.