It was an honor to say some words about James Martell as we honored him as an Industry Legend at Affiliate Summit East 2019. Accepting the award were Arlene Martell, Justin Martell, and Kimberly Juchnowski.
I had a hard time getting the words out that I’d written about James. Here they are for anybody who couldn’t be there…
There are lots of awesome accomplishments and distinctions we can talk about when it comes to James Martell.
He taught tens of thousands of business owners how to effectively market their businesses online through his books, courses, live trainings, webinars, podcasts, and speaking engagements.
He was a true Internet pioneer, thought leader, and influencer who knew how to bring success online.
James had more than twenty years of online business experience, and was successful in online marketing, blogging, podcasting, coaching, outsourcing, and video creation. He authored several business books, and developed twelve popular marketing courses.
He also authored of one of the first and best-selling eBooks on affiliate marketing, and was a host of the longest running affiliate marketing podcast, starting in 2003, with listeners in more than one hundred countries. That is crazy to me – I got into podcasting in 2006 and thought I was breaking new ground – the reality is that James was there and so many other places first.
I think this testimonial I gave to James for his site many years ago does a good job to say what I thought of him…
“James is a one of a kind – an Internet marketing rock star. When he has spoken at Affiliate Summit, his sessions always receive a 10 out of 10. In a space with many imitators and pretenders, James is the real deal.”
But James was more than an awesome business guy – he was a husband, father, grandfather, and so much more.
James had a giant personality and an even bigger heart.
His presence, guidance, and stewardship to so many in affiliate marketing and the in the real world will forever be missed.
James was a big Elvis fan, and I was going to try and pick out an Elvis song and sing a little bit in his honor. I came across a song by the King called Memories, and that choked me up:
“Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Quiet thoughts come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories
Sweet memories”Goodbye, James – you’re a legend.
Thank you to Liz Fogg for recording the award ceremony for James.