Taking a Leap…
The last week of August was always a time of reflection here at the orbiting SFO*MEDIA headquarters. Back when we used wooden rackets to write our posts many of us even took the last couple of days before Labor Day weekend off from publishing. That time of year was always a bit of an unspoken détente in Web 2.0 publishing land.
That is why it is appropriate that during this late August, ten years later, I decided to leave my post at Conde Nast. Conde Nast and I have agreed to a consulting relationship, and as part of that, I will continue to manage the sites, while I begin to work on other entrepreneurial endeavors. So maybe this is a needless post, but it sure does feel like something ended.
It all started innocently enough, but by the fall of 2003 I was in the lobby of the newly opened Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge MA every morning before 8 AM chronicling the worldwide hotel scene. It is always natural, and far too easy, to glorify the early days of anything, however, it is hard not to look back and smile as HotelChatter, Jaunted, and eventually VegasChatter took shape from my attic in Charlestown, MA.
What I am most proud of is the team we built over the last decade. Building an amazing geographically dispersed team is not easy, but not only have we successfully built such a team, we have also consistently sustained one.
From the beginning I have always been lucky enough to have really great folks join me in this adventure. However, the fact that our core team, a.k.a the “circle of trust”, has been working with me for a combined 40-ish years is a testament to something important. The reputation and accomplishments these three sites now enjoy is due to the hard work of this group (and many, many, other writers, far too many to list here).
This team includes our viewers and readers. Without their tips, photos, emails, and attention these sites could not exist. So thanks to everyone who ever slogged through the often far to arduous account creation process to submit anything to these sites — except for the spammers, they are vile.
These three incredible brands aren’t going anywhere, the sites set a new combined traffic record this summer, and I expect them to continue to grow and flourish. They are in good hands, CN is the premier publishing company in the world, and Conde Nast Traveler is one of the most iconic travel brands on earth. I am excited to see what Conde Nast Traveler does next and where they take these great digital brands we continue to hand craft daily for them.
I am excited for the future of these sites, Conde Nast Traveler, and to explore my own new projects — and feel incredibly lucky to be able to be involved with all three pursuits.
10 years ago I was celebrating my second wedding anniversary with my pregnant wife, who no doubt was gearing up to work the night shift at Mass General that night to support her “entrepreneurial” husband. 10 years, two kids, and tens of thousands of posts later it doesn’t end here, it’s just time to take a leap.
