Sharks, Commodore 64 and Terminator 2: an interview with Andy Thompson

Did you know that Andy Thompson, a Kentico MVP and CTO at Luminary, began his tech journey with a Commodore 64 and a tape drive? Or that he once read a VCR instruction manual from cover to cover just to master its functions? In this interview, we dive into a wide range of topics with Andy, from kangaroos and Australian football to the future of CMS technology and the challenges of integrating AI in digital transformation. It's a conversation rich with unique insights, practical strategies, and a touch of nostalgia.  

The Aussie tech adventure   

Andy, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. How are you doing? 

I'm a bit tired, to be honest. It’s 9 PM here in Australia, and I’ve been busy with work. Plus, I’m dealing with a sore back lately. It’s been tough. I think it's from playing too much sport when I was younger. Now, it doesn't take much—just a wrong twist, and my back hurts again. 

Speaking of sports, there are so many stereotypes about Australia—kangaroos, rugby, surfing. Is there any truth to those, and if so, which one would you say represents you the most? 

Definitely sport. Australians are sport mad. Whatever sport is on, we get obsessed with it. When the Olympics are on, for example, the whole country gets behind it—everyone suddenly knows everything about swimming or surfing. Right now, it's the end of the Australian football season, which is different from rugby. It’s huge, especially here in Melbourne. I have a couple of surfboards myself, but I wouldn’t call myself a surfer. And about the kangaroos, they're everywhere—just like deer in Europe. 

And what about sharks? We hear a lot about shark attacks in Australia. Are there any "sharks" in our industry? 

The shark thing is kind of like saying there are bears in America. You don’t hear about people getting eaten by bears all the time, right? It’s rare. Sharks don’t naturally hunt people, and most people know not to go surfing at sunrise or sunset alone. As for "sharks" in our industry, a while ago, I would have said SEO agencies—they were a bit like sharks, selling what they could. But now, maybe CMS vendor salespeople! Not Kentico, though; they’re too honest to be sharks. 😊 

The laid-back CTO approach   

That honesty seems to be a core value at Kentico. Do you see this reflected in your relationship with Kentico? 

Absolutely. Kentico's transparency has always been a major reason why we've worked so closely with them for over 15 years. They’re very open, whether it’s about the product roadmap, pricing, or just having the CEO come and sit with us. We operate similarly at Luminary—no aggressive sales tactics, just trust and honest relationships. We believe in winning, but not at all costs. It’s about delivering value, not just making the sale. 

Australians are known for being laid back. How would you describe your approach to new projects at Luminary? Do you consider yourself more creative or data-driven in your approach? 

We’re quite selective with the projects we take on, but it's more about finding a good fit in terms of the people we work with and the nature of the project itself. A strong working relationship is just as important as the work we do. We use a sort of rating system for opportunities, focusing on the digital maturity of the customer and whether we think there’s a good fit, both in terms of the client and the work. If there are red flags early on, it’s better to pull out than to push ahead and face problems later. As for my approach, it’s definitely a mix of both creativity and data. I thrive in situations where there are unknowns and chaos—where there’s a problem to solve creatively. That’s what I enjoy the most. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about finding innovative solutions. 

On that note, what would you say if someone came to you wanting to go headless without understanding what that means? 

I get that a lot. My first question is always, "Why do you need headless?" There are valid reasons for it, but often people are told by someone else that they need it, without understanding why. It's important to dig into their actual needs before jumping on the latest tech trend. 

Oh my! Navigating the CMS buzzwords   

Have you heard about the new concept of a "Universal CMS"? 

Not specifically, but it sounds like marketing jargon. Everyone wants to be the all-encompassing solution now—a hybrid, headless, SaaS-enabled, digital experience platform. It's all about finding what truly fits your needs, rather than chasing after every new term. It’s not about having every feature; it’s about having the right features that actually add value to your business. 

With Xperience by Kentico, what features or evolutions are you most excited to see in the near future? 

I’m really excited about the upcoming enhancements to the SaaS platform. I like that Kentico provides a good balance of a turnkey platform that still allows for customization. I'm also looking forward to improvements in the marketing automation and email builder functionalities. For example, I'm looking forward to the email builder using the same intuitive builder as the Page Builder. This consistency across tools will make it easier for users to manage content seamlessly. Another exciting development is the enhancements to the SaaS platform, which will provide more flexibility and options for clients looking for managed cloud solutions. 

The rise of the tech geek    

I saw on the Luminary website that your colleagues refer to you as the "Chief Geek" or "King of the Nerds." Is there a story behind these nicknames? 

I think that's mostly because I gave myself those nicknames so they don’t get to give me different ones. In Australia, everyone has a nickname. My real name is Andrew, but nobody calls me that. I’ve been called "Thommo" since I can remember, and if "Thommo" was too informal for work, "Andy" became the default. It’s just the Australian way! Plus, I’ve always been the tech guy—the one who reads all the manuals and figures out how everything works. When I was really young, even in the 80s, I would read every instruction manual for things like VCRs. 

You have a strong technical background. Were you one of those kids who was always tinkering with computers? 

Absolutely. I was always into tech from a young age, even before we had computers at home. I remember our first computer was a Commodore 64, and it had a tape drive, not disks. I’d spend hours loading games and writing basic code. By high school, I was writing computer games in Visual Basic and got my first job as a programmer. I've always been "that guy" when it comes to tech. 

Speaking of technology, what advice would you give to young people starting in the tech industry today? 

Focus on problem-solving skills rather than getting caught up in specific technologies. Technologies come and go, but the ability to break down a problem and solve it creatively is invaluable. Also, don't worry about always using the latest tech—some of our best people are working with older technologies, solving more complex problems. 

The future of Skynet  

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges companies face today in their digital transformation? 

One of the biggest challenges I see is uncertainty. Everything is getting more complex, and there are many buzzwords and technologies to navigate. Companies are making huge decisions, and it’s not just about getting their customers to buy something online; they’re dealing with changing technologies, security concerns, and more. Another challenge is artificial intelligence. Everyone's being a bit challenged by AI at the moment, but it's about how to make the best use of AI without getting distracted. I'm not worried that AI is coming to take our jobs, but rather how we can use it to enhance what we do. 

So you don't think AI is going to become like Skynet from Terminator and take over? 

I don't think we're there yet. Skynet is a pretty long way off. General intelligence might be coming, but it’s not coming from a large language model like ChatGPT. People tend to judge intelligence by how well-spoken someone is, and since AI can be very articulate, it gives the impression of intelligence. But I think we’re still a long way from AI posing any real existential threat. 

I heard you’re a fan of action movies. Can you name your top favorites, and if Xperience by Kentico was an action movie, which one would it be? 

I love action comedies—pure entertainment that doesn’t take itself too seriously. "True Lies" with Arnold Schwarzenegger is a favorite, and "Terminator 2" is definitely better than the first one. If Xperience by Kentico was an action movie, I’d say it would be like "Terminator 2"—next-gen and better than the original! I’m also a big music fan—Queen is one of my all-time favorites. The soundtrack of "Highlander," mostly by Queen, makes it another top pick for me. I'm a huge music nerd and even a singer, which not many people know about me! 

Andy Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the table. His approach to business and technology, blending honesty with a strong focus on relationships and creative problem-solving, makes for a compelling strategy in today’s competitive digital landscape. 

To learn more about the latest trends in CMS and whether you should consider a headless CMS, check out our blog post: Should You Really Go for a Headless CMS? Pros and Cons. 

If you're more into AI, check our latest ebook on the topic!