Keeping track of the % of APAC speakers at WC Asia 2025
WordCamp Asia 2025 organizers have announced the first batch of speakers:
- Katie Keith of Barn2 Plugins (EMEA)
- Nirmal Desai of CreedAlly (APAC)
- Riad Benguella of Automattic (EMEA)
- Jo Minney of House Digital (APAC)
- James Giroux of WordPress VIP (Americas)
I’m going to keep track of where speakers are from as well as where their companies are from too, as I did for WordCamp Asia 2024.
The organizers are aiming to have 60% of local representation, which would be just about twice as much as the previous event (27%). This would be a great result.
Follow us on Bluesky!
It seems like everyone’s giving Bluesky a go, which is great news. Good to have more choice.
If you’re on Bluesky feel free to connect: https://bsky.app/profile/wpbizdev.bsky.social
If you’re not, give it a go!
My talk @ WC Sydney: How Devs Can Learn About Marketing from Data
I’ll be telling my story – how I pivoted from web production and management to marketing.
All thanks for a Marketing Automation project, which forced me to learn about marketing fundamentals to be able to set up the contact database correctly, lead scoring, automation flows, etc…
How Devs Can Learn About Marketing from Data
Date & Time: 2 November @ 1.55pm
Where: WordCamp Sydney – Hallway Track
Event info and registration: https://sydney.wordcamp.org/2024/schedule/
Barn2 announces a set of new web development services
Interesting move by Barn2, considering they started out as an agency.
Here’s the announcement: Simplify your web journey: Barn2 now offers full-service web development
Services offered are:
- New WordPress and WooCommerce websites
- Plugin installation and setup
- Plugin customization
- Website fixes and troubleshooting
- Speed optimization
- Ongoing website maintenance
More info here: https://barn2.com/services/
I wonder if this is part of a trend. It may be a topic worth covering via a more detailed post.
Automattic Vs WP Engine in the media
I’m going to list here all non-WP media articles about the Automattic Vs WP Engine ‘conflict’.
11 November 2024
Automattic Faces Irony Of New WPEngineTracker Protest Site
Search Engine Journal
10 November 2024
Cloudflare Blocks Automattic’s WP Engine Tracker For Phishing
Search Engine Journal
9 November 2024
None
8 November 2024
WordPress’s Automattic openly tracks websites bailing from rival WP Engine
The Register
7 November 2024
There’s Trouble in the WordPress Ecosystem. What Do Businesses Need to Know?
Success
The WordPress vs. WP Engine drama, explained
TechCrunch
Automattic’s new site tracks how many websites left WP Engine following feud with Matt Mullenweg
TechCrunch
Automattic Taunts WPE With WP Engine Tracker Website
Search Engine Journal
6 November 2024
None
5 November 2024
None
4 November 2024
None
3 November 2024
None
2 November 2024
None
1 November 2024
WordPress’s Costly Trademark Battle With WP Engine Is ‘Worth It’, Says CEO Matt Mullenweg
Observer
WordPress cofounder asks court to dismiss WP Engine’s lawsuit
The Verge
31 October 2024
As the WordPress saga continues, CIOs need to figure out what it might mean for all open source
CIO
30 October 2024
Matt Mullenweg talks about Automattic’s staffing issues and financials at TechCrunch Disrupt
TechCrunch
WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg says a fork would be ‘fantastic’
TechCrunch
Matt Mullenweg says Automattic is ‘very short-staffed’ amid WordPress vs. WP Engine drama
TechCrunch
29 October 2024
The WordPress vs. WP Engine drama, explained
TechCrunch
28 October 2024
WordPress forces user conf organizers to share social media credentials, arousing suspicions
The Register
27 October 2024
26 October 2024
‘I can’t run a business like this’: Why the WordPress row matters
BBC
25 October 2024
None
24 October 2024
None
23 October 2024
None
22 October 2024
The bill is coming for tech’s open source free lunch
21 October 2024
None
20 October 2024
Why WordPress’s CEO is spooking the internet
Morning Brew
19 October 2024
Developer Seeks WordPress Injunction to Halt Harms to Business
Bloomberg Law
WP Engine asks court to stop Matt Mullenweg from blocking access to WordPress resources
18 October 2024
WP Engine files an injunction to get its WordPress.org access back
TechCrunch
Automattic offered employees another chance to quit over WordPress drama
The Verge
17 October 2024
Automattic offered employees another chance to quit — this time with nine months’ severance
TechCrunch
16 October 2024
The Wordpress drama and how it rings alarm bells for users
The Morning Context
Is Matt Mullenweg defending WordPress or sabotaging it?
MSN
About that brawl between the WordPress co-founder and WP Engine…
Computerworld
15 October
The WordPress drama could have major implications for the internet
Fast Company
What’s With the Open Source Drama Between WordPress and WP Engine?
CMS Wire
WordPress bans WP Engine from sponsoring or participating in user groups
The Register
WordPress vs. WP Engine: Who Will Survive the Hosting Brawl?
The India Herald
14 October
WordPress saga escalates as WP Engine plugin forcibly forked and legal letters fly
The Register
13 October
WordPress acquires WP Engine’s ACF plugin amid legal disputes
NewsBytes
WordPress.org’s latest move involves taking control of a WP Engine plugin
The Verge
12 October
In latest move against WP Engine, WordPress takes control of ACF plugin
TechCrunch
The Battle for 40% of the Internet
Slate Money (Paywalled)
11 October
The Pettiest Drama in the Tech World Is Taking Place at … WordPress?
Slate
10 October
WordPress vs WP Engine battle gets seriously stupid, with new login requirement
9to5Mac
The WordPress vs. WP Engine drama, explained
TechCrunch
The ongoing feud between Wordpress and WP Engine is threatening open-source principles and good name
TechSpot
9 October
None
8 October
None
7 October
One-twelfth of Automattic staff leave over WordPress-WP Engine spat
CIO
How the WordPress vs WP Engine feud could impact the future of the internet
The Indian Express
WordPress executive director Josepha Haden Chomphosy resigns
The Hindu
After weeks of drama, SF tech CEO gives workers $30,000 to quit
SFGATE
Automattic CEO will pay staff $30,000 to leave if they oppose his legal battle with WP Engine
HR Grapevine
6 October
None
5 October
The WordPress vs. WP Engine drama, explained
TechCrunch
Why WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg has gone ‘nuclear’ against tech investing giant Silver Lake
CNBC
Executive Director Of WordPress Resigns
Search Engine Journal
WordPress co-founder is paying employees to leave if they disagree with him
MSN
WordPress paying employees to leave if they disagree with co-founder
NewsBytes
4 October 2024
WordPress cofounder is paying employees to leave if they disagree with him
The Verge
The latest on the WordPress fight over trademarks and open source
The Verge
159 employees leave WordPress founder’s company after extortion lawsuit
Engadget
Matt Mullenweg: ‘WordPress.org just belongs to me’
The Verge
Things get nasty in lawsuit between WordPress.org and WP Engine
CIO
WordPress Trying to Extort Competitor with Trademarks, Suit Says
Bloomberg Law News
WordPress cofounder is paying employees to leave if they disagree with him
The Verge
WP engine sues WordPress
fudzilla
159 employees are leaving Automattic as CEO’s fight with WP Engine escalates
TechCrunch
How the Argo Project Is Avoiding WordPress-Type Problems
The New Stack
The ‘WordPress’ fight is now a lawsuit
MSN
159 Automattic staff take severance offer and walk out over WP Engine feud
The Register
3 October 2024
WP Engine sues WordPress co-creator Mullenweg and Automattic, alleging abuse of power
TechCrunch
The ‘WordPress’ fight is now a lawsuit
The Verge
WordPress Co-Founder & Automattic Sued For Attempted Extortion
Search Engine Journal
Automattic demanded web host pay $32M annually for using WordPress trademark
Ars Technica
Automattic CEO Matthew Mullenweg sued for attempted extortion by WP Engine
TechRadar
What’s going on with the WordPress-WP Engine battle?
Silicon Republic
When Benevolence Fades
Tedium
WordPress founder sued for alleged libel and attempted extortion
Engadget
WP Engine sues Automattic CEO for ‘abuse of power’
Techzine
WP Engine Sues WordPress for Libel, Extortion
Slashdot
WordPress developer Automattic reveals it demanded 8% of revenue as licensing fee from WP Engine
Gigazine
The ‘WordPress’ fight is now a lawsuit
MSN
Developer Concerns Rise as WordPress and WP Engine See 19% Traffic Decline, Alternatives Thrive
Digital Information World
Latest in WordPress war: Automattic says it wanted 8% cut of WP Engine revenue
The Register
WP Engine files a lawsuit against Automatic and WordPress co-founder Matt Mulleweng
Tech Pluto
Automattic’s Partner Directory is now live
Automattic has been busy creating and expanding its Automattic for Agencies initiative across its WordPress brands – WordPress.com, JetPack, Pressable and Woo – and have just announced their WordPress.com Partner Directory.
“When you apply to the agency directory, your application will be reviewed to assess critical areas like security, performance, and adherence to different business requirements. Accepted agencies can showcase their profile across the Woo, Jetpack, and Pressable brand directories via a single listing.”
Visit the Partner Directory via this SEO optimized URL: https://wordpress.com/development-services/
Marketing WordPress was discussed on WP Product Talk and it’s worth listening to it
The episode is called Is WordPress’ Market share Declining? And What Should Product Businesses Do About it? and co-hosted by Matt Cromwell and Amber Hinds .
There were 4 guests split in two sessions:
- Part 1 – Joost de Valk (Yoast SEO founder, Emilia Capital) and Noel Tock (Human Made partner)
- Part 2 – Miriam Schwab (Strattic founder, Elementor’s Head of WP Relations) and Rich Tabor (Automattic Product Manager)
It’s definitely worth a listen, and when you do remember that the success of the project depends on both a top down and bottom up approach. That is, leadership and steer from a higher level and participation contributions from everyone else. How this can be made to work will directly impact its effectiveness.
The biggest thing in WordPress in the last 20 years is coming soon!
How about that for click bait? 😉
If you follow Kevin Geary of Automatic.css (ACSS) and Frames, you will have heard of his new project: EtchWP.
In one of this email he says: “This is slated to be one of the biggest product announcements in the history of WP, if not the biggest.” Will it be?
Here’s the thing: he’s built a following and credibility. And two great products. Here’s earned the right to a slow, expectation-building reveal. However, if Etch isn’t the best thing since sliced bread, or even Top 5, he will have lost some of that credibility.
Etch will be revealed in September. Get your popcorn ready.
Liquidweb has unveiled a new design for its website
Have a look: https://www.liquidweb.com
The new UI is quite conservative (compared to Kinsta’s recent efforts) but polished and on brand.
It provides real estate to their broad range of products. I’m not a big fan of sliders but I think the one they have adopted works well because it looks like one that I can scroll through myself.
This is what stands out, IMHO: Setting the standard in web hosting for 27 years
It’s hard to argue against the quality if a web product or service that is as old as the web itself 🙂
Builderius 1.0 Public Alpha has been released
Builderius is a new page builder that features:
- Full CSS Development Environment
- Global Components
- Tabbed Canvas Interface, Dynamic Data Previews
- To Publish Releases Straight from the Builder
You can see the walkthrough here: https://youtu.be/-ecvt6xrqCA
And test it yourself here: https://builderius.io/alpha/
Equalize Digital: WordPress Page Builder Accessibility Comparison
Great piece by Equalize Digital comparing accessibility of websites built using a number of popular WordPress builders.
Kadence came top and Bricks, which is what I use on this website, was 8th out of 10, so not doing well at all. I’ll need to look into this for WP BizDev and make the necessary changes.
Read the article: WordPress Page Builder Accessibility Comparison
WP Engine Acquires NitroPack
Ann0uncement: WP Engine Acquires NitroPack, Extending Leadership in Managed WordPress Site Performance
It will be added to their new ‘Tools & Plugins’ category of their refreshed brand architecture.
Joost De Valk has published a new CMS market share report
It will be updated dynamically every month:
https://joost.blog/cms-market-share/
I’ll have a read and share my thoughts over the weekend.
WordCamp Asia 2025 dates announced: February 20, 21, and 22
The venue has been announced too: Philippine International Convention Center, Manila, Philippines
Tickets are not yet on sale.
Breakdance builder pricing set to change
Louis Reingold, CEO @ Soflyy, is giving the community advance notice of price changes:
As we look ahead, we want to keep you informed about upcoming changes to our packages and pricing. Around the time the first public beta of Breakdance 2.0 is released, we’ll probably be adjusting our pricing plans for new customers. However, existing customers will be grandfathered into their current plans indefinitely. Anyone who purchases before the price changes will also retain their existing rates. We’re giving you this advance notice because we value your loyalty and want to ensure you’re aware of the opportunity to secure your pricing indefinitely.
Read the notice: Courtesy Notice: Prices & Packages Will Change
Read first: About the WordPress Ecosystem section
There’s always a lot happening in the WordPress space that we don’t cover (as it’s not strictly marketing and sales related). Here’s a place where you can share the more interesting stories, along with your comments.
Please note: if you’re posting about your own company or efforts use the Member News section instead. It goes without saying that anything spammy is not allowed.
For your reference: the Community Rules.