For nearly 10 years, Danny Sullivan has been a leader in the field of search and search marketing. Today, he's departing from SearchEngineWatch & the Search Engine Strategies conference series:
I love both the site and the conference series. I hate to say goodbye to them. They've also been good to me. I've done very well financially and enjoyed plenty of personal satisfaction through them. I've written things that people have told me have helped them immensely. At our conferences, it's great to hear from so many people that they've learned a lot or far more than they were expecting...
...Whatever I do, I've tried to make it a hallmark to always to be inclusive of content, people, web sites or organizations that will help my readers, even if I might technically be competing with them. Whatever I end up doing, you can expect I'll still be pointing at Search Engine Watch as appropriate and wish those that remain a part of it the very best.
Obviously, his full post at Daggle is a must-read.
From my perspective, this is a very bad move on the part of Incisive Media. Whatever Danny's actual value to the conference series and the site is, they've severely underestimated it. I would personally guess that if Danny started up his own conference series and an accompanying site (equivalent to SES & SEW), it would become equally popular in a short matter of time. The community of search, from the engines to the advertisers to the speakers and the attendees are, in my mind, loyal to the man - to Danny - first.
My primary fear is a selfish one - that the industry will turn corporate, faceless and cold without Danny keeping us firmly on track. In his position as head of SEW & SES, he was our leader not only in name, but in direction - operating the largest sources of information dissemination available to folks seeking to learn about search. My brief experience with other industries and the stories I've heard from those who've been to SES or involved in the search space is that our industry is one of the most friendly, unassuming, cordial and welcoming in the professional world. Without Danny, I fear for the survival of our culture.
How does this affect you? What do you think are the lasting implications of this move? Are you planning to go to Chicago in December to see one last show with Danny? I know I am.
I have no loyalty to anyone but have admired Danny for his insight as well as occasional flaws in the past, you are right, he could destroy all competition if he chooses to build a new model. He could do this, and quick. :)
He could hire out of work Michael M. and the rest of us...hehe
Sad for SES. I wonder if the attendance will go down and PubCon attendance will go up?
Whilst I agree that the loss of Danny Sullivan is a huge loss to SEW and SES, I have to ask myself is one person bigger than the industry.
Yes the loss is big, however there are a number of people who are more than capable (potentially) to fill such a void, Randfish being just one.
Yes, he will be a loss, however it is how SES and SEW respond to it that will determine the longevity of them
Peter Young E-Gain New Media
Other people on various blogs have said that where Danny goes… People will follow. I agree.
None of us get paid to speak at SES. If I had the opportunity to speak at only one conference it would be at the one Danny is producing. I hope he starts his own conference so I have a better chance of getting in on the ground floor.
SES is nothing without the speakers. Some will stay if there is an audience and they have something to sell to the audience, however I anticipate things with SES will go down hill on the policies.
You might be able to speak at the show because you've paid for a spot. Your presentation could be more of a sales presentation or product demonstration. Vendor/Presenters might not be as forthcoming with competitive information. Etc, etc, etc...
SES also has a non-compete clause where you can’t participate in other conferences in the same time period. I believe this would work in Danny’s favor.
Regular folks like me can’t travel to attend or speak at dozens of events every year and must choose carefully. I will likely be choosing the event that Danny is producing.
Who cares about Incisive Media anyway? I've never even heard of them untill they took over SES.
Judging by Danny's reputation, I don't think he's the type that would just leave SEW/SES on a whim. They are, after all, his baby... and there are likely some significant factors that we don't know about forcing his hand somewhat. It's tough to have your creation co-opted and then be cornered by it.
I agree that where ever Danny goes, a good portion of the community will follow. That's not out of blind faith or bandwagoning, it's out of a sense of loyalty and friendship which he has helped to nurture.
While SES will continue to be frequented by many, its numbers will almost certainly wane in light of this development.
I hear yah, paid or not there are people who pay $1,500 to attend the SES. I personally expect to learn something for the money, yes as a new person to the market you will learn a lot. But there is not much for the people who have been around for a while. I am just trying to address a empty space in the industry.
Well, I must be the odd one out (along with egain it seems), but I should confess upfront; I've developed a cynical attitude towards the "a-list celeb" culture and incestual "back-slapping" that permeates this industry ATM.
I recognise what Danny's done; I admire the graft he puts/put in; I admire that he's been quoted in prestigious media across the world... in fact, let's just say I've no real criticism to levy at all really - Nice work, well done... now go and do a bit of relaxing and regroup.
He seems to be one of the good guys for sure.
Truth is though - for me at least - I've never followed him. I've never felt the need to bookmark his writings. I've never felt as though I've really learnt anything exactly groundbreaking... in fact, over the yrs I can only say I've ever really only kind'a, "happened" upon him now and again; whether via a link, WMW or WMR (more recently).
I've always sort'a felt that there's this "old guard clique" dating back to the old days that've stuck together and cross-promoted each other, gathering more followers over time to the point of where we're at today... herd mentality!
When I just looked to my RSS feeds, who do I see (mostly) blogging about this? That's right, the "old guard" (Sorry Rand, I've got about 15 tabs open ATM ready to read the full feeds, yours just happened to be the first I've read fully, I merely say that, to say I'm speaking broadly here ;)).
He's often cited as being one of, if not the first, grandfather(s) of the search industry. That may well be the case, or it may well equally be what those with the loudest voices have led us to believe simply 'cos it's been repeated often enough over time - To me, it's kind'a like proving Edmund Hillary was really the first to climb Everest: A man, from New Zealand, just at the dawn of the popular (western) press, was the 1st to "conquer" Everest, before any one of the many naturally-acclimatised natives who've lived off the land there for many years... and helped him do it!... you get the picture, I'm sure.
What I'm basically saying there is that, whether he was or wasn't this grandfather that's spoken of, the truth is, the industry would still have been born with or without him... and will continue to do so.
I think there's a growing contingent that see the current "conference-fever" as just a commercial venture that's become more and more diluted as the fever reaches peak. This year particularly seems to have been wall-to-wall conference-chatter and hype. I now just skip any blog/forums/threads that mention the word these days. It's become incrementally boring as more and more marketers have jumped on the conference bandwagon.
Now, if it's for this, that Danny's "expiration" will be lost, that would suit me just fine.
... and to be equally gracious to Danny, he probably got out just at the right time: At the top.
One thing I do know though - and read what you might into this - Up until this story broke, I'd not heard of Incisive Media - though my memory is crap I grant you (and I am UK) - but I obviously have heard of our old grandpa, Sullivan!
Post - it's really not the industry from a financial or size perspective that I'm concerned with. It's the perception of attitude and the culture that Danny built (and which I can assure you he is primarily responsible for).
Are SEOs going to go out of business because of this? No.
Are small SEO firms or personalities that do great things going to be ignored because Danny isn't there to cultivate them, motivate them and inspire them? Very possibly.
Are the SES conferences going to turn into soulless, corporate monsters that people go to because they need business and not for any of the community aspects that have made the search field so much better than many other industries?
That's the real fear.
I remain hopeful that Danny Sullivan will continue his leadership in this community. I am one of the silent masses that have benefited from his wisdom and guidance and believe that such an integral part of the community will remain in the capacity of his choosing. This site, Rand's postings, Matt's tools, and the accompanying community will continue what Danny started in maintaining a strong community of practice around making search an adaptive technology to our needs. Pay it forward is my philosophy and I'm looking forward to being part of that as soon as I know what I'm doing.
Rand: I think it may be that we have a difference of proximity that seperates us on this - I've never met, spoke or written him... much less live near him. So I just don't feel the pull of gravity that those kind of links foster.
I really think this has already started to happen Rand. One listen to WMR's coverage of any of the conferences they've attended will surely confirm this: Cheek-to-cheek pimping - Whether it be the conference floor interview-orials, or the presenters on the hard-sell in the weeks leading up to the event (A good few of whom are speakers IIRC!).
Like all good rock festivals though, they all end up corporatised (or, corporatized for our cousins ;)) in the end.
nnnnnnnooooooooooooo!
One of my mentors said a person needs to re-invent him/herself and career/business every 5 years to keep things vital. I think this will be a good solution for all parties.
https://menofseo.blogspot.com/2006/08/breaking...
hahaha, that magazine cover is priceless
While SEW may not be the same, Danny will still be Danny. He will certainly be a strong voice in our industry.
Incisive is the one that stands to lose in this deal which I'm sure they will quickly discover.
I think Barry Schwartz (rustybrick) is right on where he says, "The industry, the community, will probably see less activity around the SEW brand and more around Danny and other names in the industry."
I think Danny (and the SEO community) will do fine. He has a strong following, is still doing the Daily SearchCast, and now he is probably far less constrained in what he does -- he is no longer accountable to a corporate entity.
I am excited to see what Danny brings to the community in the future, he has a great opportunity introduce something new.
Here, Here!!! I'm baffled by the decision of Incisive to let him go. In my opinion, it will be one of the many flawed corporate decisions that gets CEO’s fired, and see's a company, otherwise with potential to grow, tumble.
This type of atmosphere, and the changes that Rand is fearful of seeing, is exactly why I departed the corporate world; cold, uncaring, with poor direction and focus.
There’s no doubt I’ll be in Chicago this year – I predict it will have the highest attendance ever – then everyone will boycott SES and it will crash! Well – I can dream…
What makes me laugh now, is the thought of how many ridiculous job offers Danny will probably get. Hmmm…I just might send one myself ;) Do you think he’d come work for SEMpdx.org?– the Portland Search Engine Marketing Council?
Till Next Time
I just read his goodbye over at Daggle, and I'm a little shocked. I've only been in the SEO world for a little over a year, but the name Danny Sullivan was the first name I came to respect (and respect highly) in the business. His earnest, gentle demeanour and his fantastic insight will not be replaced at SEW or the SES series. I wish him the best with his endeavours and I know I'll be keeping an eye on him where ever he goes.
That really sucks. I'm going to miss Danny. He's such a genial, approachable guy, and he was the perfect face for SES. Thus begins my downward spiral of depression :(
Funnily enough I'd actually thought this was going to happen. Maybe I was just over-analyzing, but when I kept seeing more and more editors being added to SEW, and then no "Evening with Danny Sullivan" at SES-SJ, it looked like he was starting to prepare to withdraw.
It'll be interesting to watch and see how things end up.
Since I'm the new guy here, I only got to meet Danny on one occation, but I am also saddened by his departure. I know that the SEO community will miss him deeply.
Yes I am opening up a can of worms but, I think it's time for change.
I think Danny did a great job during his tenure!
I think that's a gutsy idea to present, but I'm not sure how Brett might take it... As for SES - I'm planning on waiting to see what Danny does and what other groups dive into this space to help fill the void. Much of the loyalty to that conference will evaporate with Danny's departure, and it will take incredible leadership and empathy just to maintain the conference's current notoriety.
It is, but is everyone just to scared to say it? Or am I completely out of my mind?
I think Brett would take the criticism well, he has done a great job and I respect that. If we assume that we are perfect then growth is not an option.
Personally I am responsible for some of the largest sites on the web. I am no-where near an expert in this field.
For this exact reason I share what I learn and try to learn from others.
I too was shocked when I woke up to this mornings news. My feeling is exactly the same as yours Rand, Danny is an irreplaceable legend in this industry in which he shaped. I don't think the folks at Incisive get that.
Whereever he goes, we know he will succeed. And I'm looking forward to his upcoming NYT best seller.