Jack Yan - The smartest guy I've never met

I've known Jack Yan since the late 90's when I was filled with the joys of the Internet Spring. I'd launched a men's magazine online that grew a substantial audience but never made a bean.

The experience was invaluable in many ways. One: I learned about building an audience on the web. Two: That the audience likes quality and something different and Three: that Jack Yan must never go to sleep.

Jack was publishing Lucire magazine online and offered a great deal of encouragement at times when I wondered why I was bothering. His own online publication was a huge success and, importantly unlike anything else I had seen on the web.

He has subsequently turned the magazine into, well, a magazine and has launched editions all over the world. He's a pioneer, not just of the web, but also as a media entrepreneur. He's also something of an outsider in the New Zealand business environment from where we both operate.

Lesser figures are offered breathless column centimetres and yet Jack is almost ignored. Too bad for the ignorant I say. His thought provoking insights are worth RSSing, or even simply bookmarking.

I've just discovered his blog and give it an 'A'. Not only for his insights and quality of writing, but also because it has Jack wriiten all over it. Blogs should be personal.

Inspite of the long association I've never met him in person. You've gotta love the web.