Writing The NEXT Chapter

WritingI just want you to know that this post isn’t even possible without the generosity and help that I’ve been given by my friends and also by Brian Solis and Bub.blicio.us–thanks for helping me to dream about bigger things.

This month, I celebrate my four-year SF anniversary. I’ve had an interesting ride over the past few years and I’ve been fortunate enough to share it with many friends, old and new.  But perhaps what I’ve been most proud of is the fact that I’ve managed to find a really great job here in San Francisco and pick up my life after a couple years of (f)unemployment. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been an interactive producer at one of the best healthcare communication agencies that I know–Kane & Finkel. Of course many of you probably know what I did better as being a “drug dealer”, which technically isn’t too far off from the truth…I’ve essentially been working on the marketing side of things taking a strategy and executing it, thereby contributing to the cause of selling more drugs for patients to get better.

Time at Kane & Finkel

Working at Kane & Finkel has been very rewarding for me and I’ve definitely learned a great deal. From stepping foot inside this small but agile agency, working with a very creative and dedicated team centered around being as invaluable to the client as they are to each other, there was no challenge big or small that we couldn’t handle. In reflection, I’m amazed that I produced four iPad applications, at least five video animations, 4-5 websites, countless emails, numerous reports, and several dozen pages worth of documentation–definitely something that will stay with me forever.

But while working at Kane & Finkel has been nothing but great to me and helped me grow professionally, I can’t help feeling that there’s something missing from my life and time here in San Francisco. I’ve been here now for four years and what people have told me is that I’d be perfect in a startup or that I fit right in the industry. Sounded bizarre to me, but the more that I heard this, the more I heard the siren’s calling and I felt that right now would be the right time to see what other opportunities lay ahead of me.

Taking the leap

So, in looking at the economy and the opportunities that were available to me, I decided that right now would be the chance to take the leap. That’s why, September 25 will be my last day as an interactive producer at Kane & Finkel. I totally don’t go into this decision lightly, but I think that the desire to keep following what’s happening in technology and with startups has become too great of a calling that I couldn’t pass up.

So what’s next for me?

The Next WebToday, I’m really excited to share some great news…starting next month, I’m going to be more involved in the technology and startup community getting to know the ins and outs of what’s it like to be an entrepreneur, investor, developer, designer, and lord knows what else. Basically, I’m going to be wandering through Silicon Valley eager to know more about what’s happening in tech–eager to hear your story. With that, I’m super happy to announce that I’m the newest reporter for The Next Web. Yup, that’s right…this time I’m going to be an industry man–covering consumer technology and startups right here in the greatest city I’ve ever lived in.

For the past few years, I’ve been watching from the sidelines, usually from afar, at some of the coolest tech companies begin and grow to become some of the world’s most important facets of everyday life. Each day, I’ve found my interest grow and my passion for the tech world increase…and now I find myself having an incredible opportunity to be involved while sharing it with the rest of the world. This is definitely something that suits my style…

Okay, here’s the particulars…I’ll be staying put here in San Francisco (natch) and the official title is Bay Area Reporter where I’ll be highly interested in the consumer tech & startup space. Expect to see me roaming through the streets of this great city, as well as throughout the valley.

Big shoes to fill

Apple iPhone5 announcement: Mashable's Lance Ulanoff, Rackspace's Robert Scoble, and The Verge's Joshua TopolskyI’d be quite remiss to say that I couldn’t have gotten here without the help of some great friends–too many to mention, in fact, but I definitely appreciate all the support. I step into this roll with a bit of trepidation in doing a great job…not because I’m not qualified, but because of all those that have come before me and still are having a great impact on reporting the latest and greatest in tech. Working at The Next Web will be great because I will be working with some of the brightest reporters and minds in the industry–very thankful to be learning from folks like Zee, Brad, Alex, Matthew, Jon, Hermione, and many others on the team. Lots of great stuff has been coming out from The Next Web and I’m hoping that my hunger for news will help add value to that–definitely a role I’m eager to make an impact in.

But I can’t also forget that there’s been a lot of great folks in the industry that I whole-heartedly look up to and hope to be as successful as they have been/are now (in no particular order): Kara Swisher, MG Siegler, Michael Arrington, Eric Eldon, Ben Parr, Alexia Tsotsis, Rafe Needleman, Liz Gannes, Jolie O’Dell, Jennifer Van Grove, Om Malik, Marshall Kirkpatrick, Josh Topolsky, Robert Scoble, Shel Israel, Louis Gray, Jason Kincaid, Erick Schonfeld, Sarah Lacy, Michael Carney, Josh Constine, Drew Olanoff, Lance Ulanoff, Kym McNicholas, Owen Thomas, Ryan Block, Anthony Ha, Dean Takahashi, Adam Ostrow, Pete Cashmore, Adam Hirsch, and probably like a billion more names that I don’t have the space to list out–but there are definitely big shoes for me to fill…

The drive is there…I hunger for knowledge and to learn. So let’s do this…October 1, it’s game time.

Photo Credit: A writer’s tools via bloodylery/sxc.hu

Ken Yeung (A) Avatar

About the Author

41 responses to “Writing The NEXT Chapter”

  1. Dave Delaney Avatar

    Great news Ken! Congrats. I know you will do an amazing job – you already do!

    1. Ken Yeung Avatar

      Appreciate it Dave! Thanks!

      1. Dave Delaney Avatar

        I wonder if this silly pirate hat will remain on my avatar here after Talk Like a Pirate Day. Hmmm… 😀

  2. Peter Mullen Avatar

    Congrats Ken! On ward and upward

  3. Kristie Wells Avatar

    So very happy for you! Congrats on the big move and to Zee and the rest of TNW team for recognizing your talent as a writer.

  4. Adam Helweh Avatar

    I’ve always thought you had a great writing style Ken. TNW will be a great place for you to show those off. Congratulations.

    1. Ken Yeung Avatar

      Aww…appreciate it Adam. Always thankful to have you as a friend and for your support.

  5. jaybaer Avatar

    Perfect gig! Really happy for you. You’re going to be amazing at that job. Truly.

  6. Don Dodge Avatar

    Congratulations Ken! I hope you will still have your camera with you 🙂

    1. Ken Yeung Avatar

      Thanks Don…of course I’m going to have my camera with me…I gotta snap photos of you with other celebrities, right? 🙂

  7. JolieODell Avatar

    ‘Bout damn time! Welcome to the press corps, kiddo.

    1. Ken Yeung Avatar

      Thanks Jolie! I definitely got a lot to learn…

  8. Michael Giannii Calvert Avatar

    Congrats Ken! Don’t forget your camera. =P

    1. Ken Yeung Avatar

      Heavens no! Why would I ever do that? 🙂 Thanks Giannii!

  9. Liz Philips Avatar
    Liz Philips

    Very exciting news Ken! Best of luck on your adventures…

  10. Shyam Subramanyan Avatar

    Congrats Ken! The Next Web Team gets better and better…

    1. Ken Yeung Avatar

      Not as excited as I am… #CanIStartWritingNow?

      1. Brad @ The Next Web Avatar

        Yes. #ButWeWon’tStartPayingYouNow


        Brad McCarty
        Managing Editor

        http://bradmccarty.me (http://bradmccarty.me/)

  11. gingerw Avatar

    Awesome news Ken. Well deserved – you are a talented writer and they are lucky to have you!

  12. Caroline Kawashima Avatar

    Congrats, Ken! I’m sure you’ll take some great photo shots as well 😉

  13. James Hicks Avatar

    Nice – good stuff Ken. Wish you the greatest success.

  14. Antony McGregor Dey Avatar

    Really happy and proud of you mate, you have an excellent writing style!

  15. Steve Fisher Avatar

    Congrats dude. You deserve it. Can’t wait to read your stuff.

  16. Liza Sperling Avatar

    Go, @kyeung808:disqus , go! Don’t forget the little people;)

  17. Paul Papadimitriou Avatar

    Congratulations, Ken! Be sure to use your great pics in your articles ^^

  18. sarahbuhr Avatar

    Radness! You deserve it, Ken!

  19. Jennifer Van Grove Avatar

    Congrats, Ken. You’re a natural, and already a star in my eyes. 🙂

  20. thomasknoll Avatar

    You have worked long and hard and personally developed all these relationships. You’ve earned this, buddy! Congrats. Now, go kick ass!

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