Much excitement in the office this week and last as we saw the most recent in a long line of ValueClick “returners”.

Many of you will be remember Matt Ware who left CJ a year ago to join Shopping.com. Well it is with great pleasure that we now have him back in the ValueClick fold. He re-started with us last week and will be flying off to join ValueClick’s new(ish) Hong Kong office at the end of this week.

Here’s a nice photo of Matt.

Let us hear from the man himself of just some of the array of feelings he is experiencing on his emotional return:

So Matt….did you miss us?

Yip – I missed all of your smiling faces:-) I’ve always enjoyed the office environment at ValueClick. I’ve also missed the affiliate industry which has a really good vibe to it and some great characters. It’s a real place for innovation and that’s exciting to be around.

How does it feel to be back?

Great to be back. The team here’s pretty tight knit and I’ve been working in Richmond so could regularly swing through for Friday drinks. It’s certainly the most social office that I’ve ever worked in so staying in touch was really easy.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Surrey, in a town called Godalming (made famous by many distinguished figures, including a woman who gave birth to rabbits). I’ve worked online for a few years now and have been living in and around South London for that time. Before London I was living and working in Barcelona for a year which was a great experience and it remains a city I enjoy going back to. As I enjoy living in new places I thought I’d really push the boat out this time and jet off to Hong Kong.

What excites you about working for ValueClick?

The best thing about ValueClick is that there’s so much online activity coming through one company. As it’s multi-faceted you get the opportunity to learn about display (ValueClick Media), price comparison (PriceRunner), search (Search123) ad serving technology (Mediaplex) and, of course, affiliate marketing. Although these are separate companies there are overlaps which we all learn from. The ‘lunch and learns’ and open communication within the group means that you can get a really solid online foundation in a relatively short period of time. It’s certainly a fantastic place for someone new to the industry to learn the ropes. ValueClick nights out aren’t bad either

What are you looking forward to about Hong Kong?

About the city itself, it has got to be the weather. That’s a big one. There’s also loads of great travelling on your doorstep with mainland China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand all a short flight away.  It’s a cosy city with seven million people occupying an area half the size of Berkshire but I figure three years of Clapham Junction on a monday morning is good training.

In terms of work, then the sheer potential of Asia Pacific is hugely exciting. To be part of something that in five to ten years is going to look so radically different from what is does now is very motivating. 17 days public holiday is also a bonus!

What do you want to achieve in your career?

To be able to say you were part of building something successful that stands long after you’ve left would be a great achievement.

There spoke he.

Well done Matt – it’s great to have you back in the office for these two weeks and we look forward to the leaving drinks. Good luck.