Marty Brickey – Turning Big Ideas Into Real Businesses

Marty Brickey’s career is defined by a willingness to pursue ideas others overlook – and turn them into impactful ventures across industries. From educational publishing to gaming and technology, his path shows how curiosity and unconventional thinking can lead to lasting innovation.

A Career built on ideas that others overlook

Some people follow clear paths. Marty Brickey built his career by stepping off them.

“I’ve always been interested in things that don’t look obvious at first,” he says. “That’s usually where the best ideas are.”

Brickey is a U.S.-based entrepreneur, investor, and technology leader. Over the years, he has launched companies in publishing, gaming, and software. His work has helped shape parts of major industries, often starting with ideas that others did not take seriously at the time.

Early life and learning to adapt

Brickey grew up moving across the country because of his father’s job. That constant change shaped how he thinks.

“You learn to adjust quickly,” he says. “You also learn how to read situations and people.”

As a teenager, he spent time in Colorado. He developed a love for the mountains and skiing. That sense of curiosity and movement stayed with him.

“It made me comfortable with change,” he adds. “That helped later in business.”

Education and the start of a business mindset

Brickey went on to study management at Missouri State University. There, he built a foundation in business, but he did not wait long to apply it.

“I wasn’t interested in doing things the standard way,” he says. “I wanted to build something.”

That mindset led him to launch his first major company soon after.

How Layne Morgan media changed educational content

In 2002, Brickey founded Layne Morgan Media. At the time, most educational material was text-heavy and formal. He saw a gap.

“We asked a simple question,” he says. “Why not make learning more engaging?”

The company focused on educational graphic novels. This approach combined storytelling with learning. It was not widely used at the time, especially in formal education.

The idea worked. Layne Morgan Media went on to produce educational graphic novel content for The McGraw-Hill Companies.

“It showed that people learn better when they’re interested,” Brickey explains. “That was the whole point.”

Entering the gaming industry with flyover entertainment

After success in publishing, Brickey moved into a different space. He founded Flyover Entertainment, a group that included Secret Lair Studios, Grumpy Ninja Studios, and Studio Chi’n in China.

“Games are just another way to tell stories,” he says. “But they let people interact with the story.”

The company grew quickly. Its work gained attention across markets. Eventually, Flyover Entertainment was acquired by Vivendi Universal.

That deal helped form the foundation of Sierra Online and contributed to what later became part of Activision Blizzard’s Chinese division.

“We were working across borders before it was common,” Brickey says. “That forced us to think bigger from the start.”

Leadership style and decision making

Across his career, Brickey has taken on CEO and senior leadership roles. His approach to leadership is direct and practical.

“You don’t always have perfect information,” he says. “At some point, you have to make a decision and move forward.”

He believes in building teams that can adapt and act quickly.

“Speed matters,” he explains. “Waiting too long can cost you more than making the wrong call.”

This mindset helped him guide companies through growth, change, and acquisition.

Investing, advising, and building behind the scenes

After building and exiting companies, Brickey expanded into investing and advising. He has worked with several ventures, including Gasworks Games, which was later acquired by Zynga.

“I like helping founders see things from a different angle,” he says. “Sometimes small changes make a big difference.”

His role often focuses on strategy, structure, and long-term thinking.

“You have to step back and ask what actually matters,” he adds. “Not just what looks good in the moment.”

Technology, impact, and a broader focus

Today, Brickey continues to work in technology and software. But his focus has grown beyond business results alone.

He is committed to supporting veterans dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and trauma. His work explores how technology can improve access to support.

“If you can use what you build to help people, that’s a different level of impact,” he says.

This shift reflects how he now measures success.

“It’s not just about building companies,” Brickey explains. “It’s about what those companies can do.”

Life outside work and personal discipline

Outside of business, Brickey’s interests reflect focus and discipline. He is a pilot with over 4,000 flight hours. He also takes part in technical wreck diving, one of the most demanding forms of scuba diving.

“You have to stay present,” he says. “There’s no room for distraction.”

He also cycles several days a week and values time with his family.

“These things keep you balanced,” he adds. “You need that over the long term.”

What can we learn from Marty Brickey’s career?

Looking at Brickey’s career, a pattern stands out. He does not chase trends. He builds where others are not looking.

“I focus on problems more than industries,” he says. “If something needs to be solved, that’s where I go.”

From educational publishing to gaming to technology, his work shows how ideas can grow when they are applied in new ways.

And while industries change, his approach remains the same.

“Stay curious,” he says. “That’s where everything starts.”