Andy Hobsbawm
Here’s a biographical profile of Andy Hobsbawm, focusing on his life, career, impact, and lessons:
Andy Hobsbawm – Life, Career, and Influence
: Andy Hobsbawm is a British entrepreneur, writer, and digital innovator — co-founder of Online Magic, Do The Green Thing, and EVRYTHNG. Explore his story, ventures, philosophy, and legacy.
Introduction
Andy Hobsbawm is a British entrepreneur, writer, and musician who has played a significant role in pioneering the digital and “Internet of Things” industries. Though perhaps lesser known than some tech founders, his contributions—especially in building early digital agencies, promoting environmental causes, and connecting physical objects to web platforms—have had meaningful ripple effects in media, marketing, and sustainability.
Early Life and Background
Andy (Andrew John) Hobsbawm was born on 12 June 1963. He is the son of the eminent historian Eric Hobsbawm and Marlene Hobsbawm (née Schwartz).
He attended sixth-form college in Montreal, Canada, but did not pursue or complete a university degree. After leaving formal education, he joined a rock band called Tin Gods in his youth, exploring creative expression and performance.
This mix of artistic interest and nontraditional academic path perhaps contributed to Hobsbawm’s unconventional approach to business and technology.
Entrepreneurial Career & Key Ventures
Founding Online Magic & Digital Agency Roots
Andy’s early foray into tech and media began when he responded to an ad and joined APT Data, a magazine publisher. During this time, he partnered with Eamonn Wilmott to form Internet Publishing, producing one of the earliest European e-zines, PowerPC News.
In 1995, Hobsbawm and Wilmott co-founded Online Magic, a British new media company, which became one of the first international web agencies. Online Magic was later merged into Within / Online Magic, Hobsbawm held leadership roles: he served as President of Online Magic and later became Chief Creative Officer for Europe at then Chairman of its European operations. He remained in high-level roles in those firms until about 2009. In 2007, Hobsbawm co-founded Do The Green Thing, a social platform focused on encouraging sustainable, green behavior through creative messaging and community engagement. In 2008, he presented “Do The Green Thing” at TED, illustrating how digital and visual creativity could drive social change. Arguably one of Andy’s most forward-looking ventures is EVRYTHNG, which he co-founded in 2011. EVRYTHNG is a software platform for the “Internet of Things” (IoT), giving physical objects their own digital identities and connecting them to web services. Through EVRYTHNG, Hobsbawm has worked at the intersection of physical goods, digital data, and connectivity—anticipating how smart devices, packaging, and embedded sensors can link everyday objects to digital insights. Beyond his major ventures, Hobsbawm has roles as a writer (contributing to Forbes, Financial Times, The Independent), and has co-authored works such as Brands and Branding. He also founded River Rose Records, an independent music label, blending his entrepreneurial and musical interests. He sits in advisory, board, and mentoring roles across technology and creative organizations, including educational, media, and startup ecosystems. A consistent theme across Andy’s career is combining creativity (art, visual thinking, messaging) with technical platforms. Rather than seeing them as separate domains, he treats creative ideas as engines for technical innovation and social change. Projects like Do The Green Thing reflect his commitment to leveraging digital tools for environmental awareness. He aims not just for profit but for impact, especially in promoting greener behavior and thinking. With EVRYTHNG, Andy is at the frontier of giving “smartness” to objects—turning physical items into data sources, enabling tracking, engagement, and new business models. This reflects a belief in the deep convergence of physical + digital realms. Because he did not follow the conventional academic path, Andy seems comfortable with exploration, risk, and inventing new models rather than conforming to existing norms. His career spans music, media, marketing, green activism, and IoT. Pioneer in digital agency evolution: Online Magic was among the earliest to scale digital services globally, influencing how agencies operate. Bridging commerce and sustainability: Through Do The Green Thing, he has contributed to how brands and digital media frame environmental responsibility. IoT infrastructure influence: EVRYTHNG’s platform helps define how physical products connect to cloud services, data analytics, and user experiences. Cultural & creative credibility: His background in music and creative fields gives him credibility not only as a technologist but as a cultural actor. Mentorship and ecosystem builder: Through advisory and board roles, he helps nurture younger entrepreneurs, especially at the intersection of tech and social purpose. Follow multiple passions Innovate at the edge Purpose brings resilience Be a connector Embrace nontraditional pathsEnvironmental & Social Ventures: Do The Green Thing
Internet of Things / EVRYTHNG
Other Roles & Creative Projects
Themes, Strategies & Philosophy
Creativity + Technology Fusion
Social Purpose & Sustainability
Anticipating the Future of Objects
Experimentation over Tradition
Legacy & Influence
Lessons from Andy Hobsbawm’s Journey
Success doesn’t require choosing only one field—Andy’s mix of music, tech, and social purpose shows synergy across domains.
He often works where the frontier lies (digital, IoT, sustainability), not just in stable markets.
Ventures tied to social or environmental missions attract engagement beyond profit motives.
Building agencies, networks, and platforms is as much about relationships and vision as about code or product.
Formal credentials aren’t the only path to impact—creativity, initiative, and relentless curiosity count deeply.