Are there implications for Ycombinator's approach to incubating startups? Tony's current perspective seems to have shifted considerably from when he graduated from the program:
"I think there’s a lot of built-in contempt for PR and marketing among
entrepreneurs (especially hacker-flavored entrepreneurs).
We’ve all been in companies with fat communications budgets wasted
by blow-hard marketeers, so many of us have dismissed the profession
altogether. We’re so entranced by the concept that just building
something people want[1] will win the day. I remember cheering the
first time I read the quote, "marketing is a tax you pay for being
unremarkable[2]". I remember reading a statement on Hacker News that
said, "my code speaks for itself[3]". Two years ago, I would’ve said,
"Right on, brother! Preach it!"
But my mindset has shifted about 180 degrees over the past few years.
I now believe that how you say something is at least as important
as what you’ve built."
[2] http://www.slideshare.net/Thor/geek-squad-marketing-is-a-tax...
[3] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=474313