We had another big win at TTAC today, one that I’ll be discussing on the site in the next week or so. This seemed like a good time to stop moping about various things and gloat a little bit.
In the 45 days since former E-I-C Bertel Schmitt was sent packing back to China, we’ve engineered a complete turnaround at TheTruthAboutCars. We brought all the banned commenters back — and haven’t had to re-ban anyone since. We asked all the old contributors back — and have received some great pieces from them. We ditched all the shibari-bondage and anime porn and dildo pictures and all the other stuff that was floating around in the attic of Herr Schmitt’s mind and replaced it with a commitment to be work-safe and family-friendly.
Traffic is up — way up. Commenting is up. Reader participation is up. We’re seeing more and more of our Best&Brightest sharing content on Facebook and Reddit and elsewhere. We’re bringing readers more and more reviews, more of the content they want to read, and even a little fiction from time to time. Comments on a recent “how are we doing” post ran more than 10 to 1 in favor of the changes.
In other words, we’re kicking ass. My vision for TTAC has been thoroughly and completely validated. More importantly, the high-quality contributions from Derek Kreindler and his team of writers have proven to be the backbone that underpins our traffic. It was widely speculated that when Herr Schmitt departed, the 20 or so industry-related posts he did every week would be missed. Didn’t happen.
I’m the Editor-In-Chief pro tem. I can’t delay the rest of my life to do this forever. I have racing and travel and parenting to handle. But when I’m succeeded by Derek Kreindler early next year, I will be able to say that I turned this ship right the fuck around. It would be unwelcome and uncool to say that on TTAC, but this is my site so I’m going to say it. Together with the work I’ve done in my day job to launch a completely new medical product that has taken a rather specialized medical segment by storm in 2013, I have to say that I’m thoroughly pleased with myself.
Doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot more work to be done, at TTAC and elsewhere. Doesn’t mean I still don’t feel depressed a lot of the time. Doesn’t mean I won’t continue to make mistakes and enemies in the most high-profile fashion possible. But for now, I’m going to sit in my pumpkin-orange Natuzzi recliner and smile.
And, as always, thanks for reading, even if it’s only once in a while from work. I notice every visit I get here and I’m grateful for all of them.
Yoo have time for a recliner? I thought I was a 24/7 guy, but you make me gasp for air.
Kudos Sir Jack
Congratulations Jack! I am happy for you and I enjoy your writing here and on TTAC. I also enjoy your contributions to TTAG. For what it’s worth keep fighting the good fight!
Congratulations Jack. TTAC posts and your posts here sometimes are the only highlight of a workday (I’m living vicariously through others at the current time as I have two little ones and a spouse who stays at home).
Care to share on the medical device? I work for a med device company.
Hey Nick,
Every time I publicly disclose what my day job is, some moron calls said job and tries to get me fired. When I worked at Honda, Motor Trend’s Edward Loh and Jonny Lieberman tried through contacts in the PR department to get me canned. Luckily, at the time Honda needed me more than than they needed to make Ed Loh happy. 🙂 If it’s okay with you, I’ll drop you a private note.
Sounds good and congrats again! I’m a regulatory/corporate/HIPAA attorney and just left private practice for an in house gig. Happy to provide any curb side advice if needed.
Hi Jack,
I am curious too. Not to have you sacked, but genuine one. You seem to have 5 careers running in parallel. If you don’t want to publish this reply (or not give the info), that’s alright for me.
Cheers.
Well done young man.
TTAC is a lot more enjoyable as of late. The quality is all that matters. Congratulations on your achievements and I hope it continues.
I may have missed it earlier, but what is the medical product? I’m in that field too…
“TTAC is a lot more enjoyable as of late. The quality is all that matters. Congratulations on your achievements and I hope it continues”
Agree 100% - thank you Jack for accepting this burden.
On a lighter note did you see the video of the guy racing around Manhattan? I know you must be swamped with media but I think you are also a NYC resident now. Can you beat him in the Morgan 3 wheeler you have access to??
Enjoying your TTAC VW stuff - I loved my 2000 Jetta VR6 but never became a Kool-Aid drinking Dubber.
Aw, c’mon, things aren’t as rosy as Jack makes it out to be at TTAC. They’ve obviously got some kind of artificial intelligence bot aggregating the news and they still publish rantings from that insane Ronnie Schreiber guy who wants us all to go blind from looking at 3D.
Jack- I am a daily reader of TTAC (though rarely comment), but just wanted to let you know here on your own site that I really enjoy your content- the wit, the insight and the cultural references… Keep up the good work, and congratulations!
Thank you, I appreciate it!
The change (at TTAC) has been significant and for the better. Well done!
Well Jack, congrats. I cannot say I visit TTAC nor comment as frequently as I did as I am also busy. But the change can certainly be felt. And it is positive.