Twitter regulars, friends of the company and anyone who reads the industry blogs will know that today news broke of Shiny Media going into administration.

It’s a sad, sad day for a company that I have very good memories of working for, and I am very upset not only for my good friends who have lost their jobs, but also that the future of Catwalk Queen hangs in the balance. Given the many years of hard work and love that I put into the various versions of that site, I am heartbroken that it might have to close, or worse, be bought by someone who changes it beyond recognition.

I was a very small shareholder in Shiny Media*. I was given the shares as part of the Catwalk Queen sale / partnership deal, but also in recognition of my continued loyalty. I was the company’s first employee and I stayed with them for almost five years.

Alas, it would seem that loyalty was one-sided.  I had to hear second-hand that the company was dead and my shares were liquidated. But I only lost money that I never had in the first place. I got off incredibly lightly compared to some.

It’s been a horrible day for all involved, but I am grateful to those who’ve supported my former colleagues on the editorial team (in-house and freelance) and recognised them for the brilliant, talented, creative, devoted, patient and tolerant people they are. If the continued success of ex-Shiny’s is anything to go by, I don’t think they’ll have any trouble moving onwards and upwards.

*I am not, however, the shareholder accused of switching off access to phones and email. Obviously.