40 Under 40 Class of 2008

Brendan Ciecko

Age 20: CEO, Ten Minute Media

Brendan Ciecko certainly doesn’t act his age — and he rarely even shows it.

There are some exceptions to this rule, though, such as when Ciecko talks about hockey and how he loved watching the Springfield Falcons — and his role model, Manny Legace — when he was “really young.” Legace played in Springfield from 1994 to 1998!

Meanwhile, Ciecko says he’s only known the local AHL affiliate as the Falcons, a name they took in 1993, after being known as the Indians, then the Kings, and then the Indians again.

If it wasn’t for such references (and the fact that he looks like he’s barely out of Granby High School), one would never know that Ciecko is the only Forty Under 40 winner who can’t legally enjoy a cocktail at the May 22 party to showcase the winners. That’s right, he just turned 20 a few months ago.

But his list of accomplishments would be impressive for someone of any age. Through his business, which he started when he was 13 and eventually named Ten Minute Media, he has done Web site design work for Mick Jagger, Natalie Cole, Bob Seger, and others. His work has turned some heads among local business owners — Ciecko is starting to add many new clients within the 413 area code — and also among judges at the Ad Club’s recent ADDY Awards, where he took home Best in Show.

Ciecko attributes his business success to an acquired rare blend of artistic, or design, talent, and knowledge of technology (he calls himself a geek) and how it can be used to help both businesses and rock stars gain visibility and increased profits.

These days, perhaps Ciecko’s biggest challenge is trying to find time for a growing list of professional and personal pursuits. He’s successfully growing and diversifying Ten Minute Media, while also renovating some commercial properties he’s acquired, and traveling — he’s been all across Europe and is mulling South America. Meanwhile, he’s getting back into hockey after putting that sport aside for a while to handle more-pressing matters. He sold his old goalie equipment on eBay a few years ago, and has bought new gear that he puts to use in pick-up games.

And he still charts the career of Legace, his hero from when he was “really young.”

George O’Brien