Rocketboom or Rocketbust?

This post could have been called "Social Operas" as well.

This might not be as dramatic as Adam Curry leaving Podshow or perhaps Nick Denton leaving Gawker (although he has offered several staffers the opportunity to do likewise), but it's big nonetheless...

Amanda Congdon has left the building (literally). In fact, she's left the East Coast altogether.

As read on Rocketboom:

Amanda Congdon has decided to move to L.A. to pursue opportunities that have arisen for her in Hollywood.

We wanted to meet her demands to move production out to L.A., however, we are a small company and have not been able to figure out a way to make it work, financially and in many other ways at this time. While we continue to remain with open arms, Amanda has in fact quit and left Rocketboom. So sadly, we bid Amanda adieu and wish her all the best.

Rocketboom goes on.

Andrew Baron, the founder and creator of Rocketboom, will stay with the company in New York and will continue to produce and direct the show. We are in the daunting process of recruiting a replacement for Amanda.

While Amanda will be sorely missed, we have big plans for Rocketboom and are determined to make the show better than ever.

After Field Week and a week on hiatus, we know that you are hungry for the news! Rocketboom will be back with a news episode and an interim host this MONDAY, JULY 10.

And what social opera would be complete without a bit of dirty laundry being aired on Amanda's blog and via video.

...but THAT'S not half the story, THIS is. Jason Calacanis has offered her a job (or at least negotiating currency) at Netscape and he did it in full view and plain sight on his blog!

From a branding standpoint, it will be interesting to see if/how Rocketboom copes without her. It is on one hand a classic branding story (think Martha Stewart Living v Martha Stewart - not that I'm suggesting anyone's going to jail here :)) and on the other, a social media branding story (the meteoric - excuse the pun - rise of a star through a video blog!)

Also, Calacanis' move demonstrates not only social media's role in terms of elevating one's own personal stock price (getting a job), but also (and arguably more importantly) being in a position to offer a job, and thus attract talent.

Hat Tip to C.C.