Acknowledgments
Every acknowledgments page starts off with how it’s impossible to write a book alone, and there’s very good reason for that: it’s SO TRUE. So here’s where we extend our thanks to the small army of contributing individuals and teams who helped bring the second edition of Content Strategy for the Web to life.
Our deepest thanks to...
Tenessa Gemelke, editor extraordinaire. Because of your tireless efforts, elegant diplomacy, and ruthless optimism, this book is a reality. We were so lucky to have you on this project, and we can’t thank you enough for your work. Also, nice outfit.
The team at Brain Traffic, whose groundbreaking work has informed much of what we’ve included in this second edition. You exceed our expectations every day. You inspire and delight us. Thanks for working here. We love your faces.
The best readers ever: Christine Anameier, Christine Benson, Meghan Casey, Tenessa Gemelke, Colleen Jones, Erin Kissane, Chris LaVictoire Mahai, Claire Rasmussen, Lee Thomas, and Julie Vollenweider. Thank you for whipping our chapter drafts into shape with your insightful feedback.
The people who contributed the lovely images and graphics herein: Christine Benson, Shelly Bowen, Kevin Cornell, and Sean Tubridy.
The case study participants, who have brought content strategy to life: Laura Blaydon, Dominique Bohn, Matt Crawford, Carrie Dennison, Lynne Figg, Kate Kiefer, Erika Knudson, Mary Krugerud, James Mathewson, Blair Neufeld, Rebecca Salerno, and Shelly Wilson.
Michael Nolan, our New Riders acquisitions editor. Thanks for (strongly) encouraging a second edition.
Nancy Aldrich-Ruenzel, vice-president of Pearson Technology Group and publisher at Peachpit Publishing, who first opened the door for this book to be published.
Margaret Anderson, Cory Borman, and the entire New Riders team.
All those who made invaluable contributions to the first edition of Content Strategy for the Web. No first edition, no second edition; thank you for making this book possible: Ian Alexander, Rahel Bailie, Margot Bloomstein, Jennifer Bohmbach, Bob Boiko, Jennifer Bove, Shelly Bowen, Craig Bromberg, Paul Ford, Maggie Fox, Colleen Jones, Jonathan Kahn, Rachel Lovinger, Erin Malone, Jeffrey MacIntyre, James Mathewson, Mark McCormick, Gerry McGovern, Elena Melendy, Chris Moritz, Clare O’Brien, Joe Pulizzi, Lou Rosenfeld, Dan Saffer, Richard Sheffield, Amber Simmons, Daniel Souza, Molly Wright Steenson, Krista Stevens, Lisa Welchman, Carolyn Wood, and the participants of the 2009 Content Strategy Consortium.
Also, Melissa says...
A special thanks to my career mentors (so far): Don Johnson and Jeff Iseminger, for getting me started; Cindy Larson, for showing me how to be a “business woman”; Brenda Kienan and Sole, for countless hours collaborating; Lisa Brezonik, for the reality checks; and Chris LaVictoire Mahai, for teaching me a great many things about strategy and success.
I’d also like to give a shout out to all of the incredible teams I’ve worked on during the last few decades. Specifically, I’d like to thank my friends from KeyTech/AisleFive/Aveus—the early internet agency(ies?) where I “grew up”. (We turned out pretty well for web geeks.) And, to the Brain Traffic team: You keep me growing and learning new things every day; thanks for all of your brilliance, hard work, humor, and moral support on this project and always.
To Julie Vollenweider and Kristina Halvorson: Running a business isn’t always easy, but it is so worthwhile. I’m proud to be a part of the “triangle.” Thanks for all you do.
Most of all, thanks to my family, who give me substance, structure, and—sometimes—a little governance. My parents, Liz and Dick, who always believe in me no matter what; Matt, who gives me courage when needed; Marcie and Elsa, who watch from afar; and Beatrice, my very best girl. Thank you for your patience and support. I love all of you more than I can say.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I owe my career and personal sanity to these extraordinary individuals:
Liz Danzico, Peter Merholz, Jared Spool, and Jeffrey Zeldman, who opened doors. I can trace nearly every opportunity I have today back to your initial actions and support. Thank you, thank you.
Lisa Brezonik, Ann Handley, Ginny Redish, Ann Rockley, Lou Rosenfeld, and Dan Roam, who lead by example. Thank you for inspiring me professionally and personally.
Erika Hall, Jeremy Keith, Ethan Marcotte, Eric Meyer, Mike Monteiro, Sarah Parmenter, Jason Santa Maria, Nicole Sullivan, Aarron Walter, and Luke Wroblewski. You are the people who make the Web go.
Mandy Brown, Elise Diedrich, Laura Funke, Symantha Huhn, Erin Kissane, Rachael Marret, Karen McGrane, Kate McRoberts, Melissa Rach, Julie Vollenweider, and Christine Weeks. Thanks for knowing everything about me and being my friends anyway.
My parents, who—along with my extended family—support me in everything I do. Thanks for rolling with it.
And finally, Gus and Ingrid, who are the smartest, funniest, toughest, sweetest creatures alive. It’s such an honor to be your mom. I love you infinity.