Adam Abramson ‘06

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Row Z

I began my career in the newspaper industry at Newsday on Long Island, NY where I learned how to storytell and develop audiences online. In 2010 I was hired at NBC to digitally produce 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' and 'Saturday Night Live.' Since then, I've presented more than 2,500 episodes of TV on the internet, building two audiences of more than 40 million and earning 3 Emmy Awards. It was an incredible journey launching and making 8 seasons of 'The Late Late Show with James Corden' which ended in April 2023. Since then, I launched a digital creative agency called Row Z helping brands build campaigns of all shapes and sizes for digital audiences with a big focus on connecting them with collegiate student-athletes, including some Hokies!

I live in Los Angeles, CA with my wife, Laura (c/o 2008) and our sons Archer and Walker. We're happiest spending time outdoors and exploring new places. I very much love being a Dad, so that's my vibe these days and I couldn't be happier. And being a Hokie is obviously a big part of my identity — I still follow Virginia Tech athletics closely and I just had my 20th annual reunion with nine of my friends from Blacksburg.

The work project/initiative you're most excited about...
I have been a part of some incredible projects in my career. I worked for a year on the launch of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and the 40th anniversary episode of 'Saturday Night Live' — my very last night of work at NBC. A few years ago my team and I created, wrote and produced a very silly web series called 'James Corden's Next James Corden' that won an Emmy Award, something that's still kind of unbelievable to me.

Fondest Virginia Tech memory or tradition...
There are so many, but it's the little things that I remember most fondly. Things like sitting at a roundtable in Dietrick with my best friends laughing hysterically as we filled up on as much Steamship Round as we could put on our plates. I also spent a summer as an Orientation Leader and that was some of the most fun I've ever had.

How Virginia Tech equipped me for the 'real world'...
I've always thought about my time at Virginia Tech as sort of a proving ground — it was the perfect place to transition from teenager to young adult. Specifically, I found the Collegiate Times the first week of my freshman year and it became a pivotal part of my time at Virginia Tech. I could not have had better on-the-job training and I was able to network with incredible people.

Best part of being a Virginia Tech alum...
The people I share that recognition with. There are Hokies doing incredible things all over the world!

Words of encouragement to a current Virginia Tech student...
The Virginia Tech experience is whatever you make of it. I am only able to look back as fondly and grateful as I do because I put in effort to find my place and community of people on campus. But once you do, the rewards are great and long lasting.

Best advice I've gotten...
When I was in college my Dad would often remind me to not worry about life after graduation. He always tried to assure me that my career, no matter what I chose, would take me places I couldn't imagine as long as I worked hard and played it straight. I'm not sure either of us could understand how correct he would be, but I try to keep that advice close to me to this day.

A key habit, practice, or skill, that's worth the effort...
Be honest and kind to yourself. Being honest allows you to properly assess how you're managing in life and work and allows you to make changes and chart whatever course is best for you. Being kind to yourself translates into treating others with kindness and makes you a better friend, family member, colleague, employee or boss.

This excites me the most about the future of my industry...
It's never been easier for people to create and share their art with the world and young people are very funny, so I look forward to entertaining stories being made for a long time.

The most courageous thing I've done...
The decision to leave NBC and launch a late night show on CBS with a host I had never heard of was a big bet my wife and I made at the time. But I always say the safest bet you can make is on yourself (as long as you're being honest with yourself!).

A person who has inspired me...
My parents are my biggest inspiration. I was born when they were 20 & 22. Neither had the college experience and they made it their mission to make sure I had one and I'm so thankful for how hard they worked raising my brother and I.

If I had a superpower, it would be...
To slow down time!

Last book I read...
'Any Human Heart' - William Boyd

Favorite way to end the day...
With a bowl of ice cream.

My hidden talent...
I am never lost.

My favorite quote...
'Success usually comes to those too busy to be looking for it.' -Thoreau

What's something you really miss most from Blacksburg?
Something I can tragically never get again: a cheeseburger from Mike's Grill!

Updated on: 10/24/24