Many readers know that Jupitermedia once owned Searchenginewatch.com and the companion Search Engine Strategies Trade Shows. We sold these properties to Incisive Media in July 2005 for about $43 million.

One of the key "assets" to owning these properties was Danny Sullivan. Danny needs no introduction and I will not go into his history.

Yesterday Danny announced his intention to leave both properties we sold to Incisive Media. Numerous stories hit the Internet and I have linked to one particularly interesting post.

My thoughts: It is a shame that Danny is leaving the Web site he created in 1996 and the show we created together in 2001. We do not have to feel sorry for Danny as he is a Search God. He is not going into the night without the certain knowledge that whatever he does decide to do will certainly be lucrative for the Sullivan family.

It will be interesting to see if Danny decides to start his own business or simply lands with a one time competitor and an even more stronger contract than what he had at Incisive? If he goes it alone there might be days in which he wishes he was back as a contractor who could clips coupons without the worries of running a business.

I always enjoyed my many meetings and London lunches with Danny and miss the SES trade show world. But now I have other concerns as we continue to build out the most significant digital design content emporium on the Internet.

The coming months will find Danny making news and ending up on his feet with his usual good cheer.