# Jack Yan

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New Zealand publisher, designer and businessman

Jack Yan Born 1972 (age 53–54) Kowloon, British Hong Kong Occupations Publisher, designer, businessman Political party Alliance (2008) Website https://jackyan.com/

**Jack Yan** ([Chinese](/source/Chinese_language): 甄爵恩; [pinyin](/source/Pinyin): *Zhēn Jué'ēn*; born 1972) is a New Zealand publisher, designer and businessman. He is best known as the founder and publisher of *[Lucire](/source/Lucire)*.

He ran for mayor of Wellington in 2010,[1] and again in 2013, but was unsuccessful in both elections.[2][3]

## Background

Yan was born in [Kowloon](/source/Kowloon), Hong Kong,[4] and emigrated to [Wellington](/source/Wellington), New Zealand, with his parents in 1976.[5] He attended [St Mark's Church School](/source/St_Mark's_Church_School) (where he was Dux[6]) and [Scots College](/source/Scots_College%2C_Wellington),[7] and graduated from [Victoria University of Wellington](/source/Victoria_University_of_Wellington) with three degrees – two in business and one in [law](/source/Bachelor_of_Laws).

Aside from English, Yan speaks [Cantonese](/source/Cantonese), French,[8] and [Taishanese](/source/Taishanese).[9]

## Career

### Business ventures

Beginning in the 1980s, Yan created over 100 [typeface designs](/source/Type_design) himself for his firm, Jack Yan & Associates[10] and was New Zealand's first digital typeface designer.[11] He encouraged other local typeface designers such as [Kris Sowersby](/source/Kris_Sowersby) to pursue careers in that industry. His typefaces include Ætna, a revival of [Bembo](/source/Bembo).[12]

He also helms a consulting firm,[13] and is co-chair of the Medinge Group [think-tank](/source/Think-tank).[14]

In 1997, he founded *[Lucire](/source/Lucire)*,[15][11] a [fashion magazine](/source/Fashion_magazine) that added print editions after starting on the web,[16] and serves as its publisher.

From 2007 to 2012, he was a judge for [Miss Universe](/source/Miss_Universe) New Zealand, and became a director of the licensee firm that took over in 2013.

In 2008, he founded the online car encyclopedia *Autocade*,[17] which he then extended into a print version in 2023.[18][19]

### Writings and media

Yan was a contributor to *Visual Arts Trends* in New York (1999–2001),[20] *The Journal of Brand Management* in London (2003–11),[21] and *Desktop* magazine in Australia (1996–2010).[22]

Web publications that he has written for include UK-based *Fontzone*[23] and *DZ3*. He was a founding contributor to Allaboutbranding.com (from 2002).[24] Additionally, he writes for his own publications, *CAP* and *Lucire*.

He contributed chapters to *Beyond Branding* (2003) and *Brands with a Conscience* (2016), wrote *Typography and Branding* (2004), and ghost-wrote Greek designer [Panos Papadopoulos](/source/Panos_Papadopoulos)'s autobiography, *Panos: My Life, My Odyssey* (2022), for which they won a Highly Commended at the Business Book Awards 2023.[25] He followed that up with the biographical *Lilla boken om Panos: historien om den ikoniska badmodedesignern* (2024) in Sweden.

From 3 March 2006, he began a weekly spot on [TV One](/source/TV_One_(New_Zealand))'s [*Good Morning*](/source/Good_Morning_(New_Zealand_show)), discussing men's issues, but resigned from that role in 2007.[26]

In 2020, he started as a regular panellist on [Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)'s *The Panel*.[27]

He is better known outside New Zealand for his work; he has been interviewed by [CNN](/source/CNN),[28] *[Business 2.0](/source/Business_2.0)*[29] and the UK's *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)*.[30]

### Politics

In the [2008 general election](/source/2008_New_Zealand_general_election) Yan stood as a candidate on the [Alliance](/source/Alliance_(New_Zealand_political_party)) party list,[31] but no candidates for the Alliance were elected.[32] He was a candidate in [Wellington's 2010 mayoral election](/source/2010_Wellington_City_mayoral_election),[1] and stood again in the [2013 elections](/source/2013_Wellington_City_mayoral_election).[2][33]

## Books

- *Beyond Branding: How the New Values of Transparency and Integrity Are Changing the World of Brands*, with [Nicholas Ind](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nicholas_Ind&action=edit&redlink=1) (editor), Malcolm Allan, [Simon Anholt](/source/Simon_Anholt), Julie Anixter, John Caswell, [Thomas Gad](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Gad&action=edit&redlink=1), Sicco van Gelder, Tim Kitchin, Chris Macrae, Denzil Meyers, Alan Mitchell, John Moore, Ian Ryder; 2003, 2004 reprint edition, Kogan Page, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7494-4115-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7494-4115-1); 2005 paperback edition, Kogan Page, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7494-4399-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7494-4399-5).

- *Viewpoint: Perspectives on 21st Century Branding: User Seductive*; 2004, Wai-te-ata Press.

- *Typography and Branding*; 2004, Natcoll Publishing.

- *Brands with a Conscience: How to Build a Successful and Responsible Brand*, with [Nicholas Ind](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nicholas_Ind&action=edit&redlink=1) (editor), Malcolm Allan, Enric Bernal, Peter Brown, Giuseppe Cavallo, [Thomas Gad](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Gad&action=edit&redlink=1), Ava Hakim, Sudhir John Horo, Oriol Iglesias, Philippe Mihailovich, Simon Paterson, Annette Rosencreutz, Cristián Saracco, Nikolaj Stagis, Brigitte Stepputtis, and Erika Uffindell; 2016, Kogan Page, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7494-7544-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7494-7544-7).

- *Panos: My Life, My Odyssey*, with [Panos Papadopoulos](/source/Panos_Papadopoulos); 2022, LID Publishing, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-911687-12-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-911687-12-2).

- *Autocade Yearbook 2024*, 2023, JY&A Media, [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [3021-159X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/3021-159X).

- *Lilla boken om Panos: historien om den ikoniska badmodedesignern*, with [Panos Papadopoulos](/source/Panos_Papadopoulos); 2024, Tukan förlag, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9-180385-83-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9-180385-83-1).

- *Autocade Year of Cars 2025*, 2024, JY&A Media, [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [3021-159X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/3021-159X).

- *Autocade Year of Cars 2026*, 2025, JY&A Media, [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [3021-159X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/3021-159X).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2010elect_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2010elect_1-1) ["Wellington City Mayor » www.elections2010.co.nz"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100903121651/http://elections2010.co.nz/2010/elections/wellington-city-mayor). Archived from [the original](http://www.elections2010.co.nz/2010/elections/wellington-city-mayor) on 3 September 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:18_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:18_2-1) ["Six-way battle for Wellington mayoralty"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160422213037/http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/sixway-battle-for-wellington-mayoralty-2013092308). 3 News NZ. 23 September 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.3news.co.nz/Six-way-battle-for-Wellington-mayoralty/tabid/1607/articleID/314267/Default.aspx) on 22 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Katie Chapman; Tessa Johnstone; Kerrie McBride (12 October 2013). ["Three more years for Wade-Brown"](http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-elections-2013/9276358/Three-more-years-for-Wade-Brown). *Dominion Post*. Retrieved 13 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Young, Simon. 2007, "Immigration nation", *Idealog*, March–April, pp. 40–46.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Paki, Kui. 2004, "Polyeurasian—the new breed New Zealander", *Tu Mai*, February, pp. 20–2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hewitson, Michele (30 August 2013). ["Michele Hewitson Interview: Jack Yan"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/michele-hewitson-interview-jack-yan/2M4KK5TZFSPPXV3JBPTLNKFCTE/). *The New Zealand Herald*. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Jack Yan, Executive, Scots Collegians"](https://www.scotscollege.school.nz/sca/jack-yan-executive/). *Scots College*. Retrieved 13 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Jacobson, Julie. 2006, "Five minutes with Jack Yan", *[The Dominion Post](/source/The_Dominion_Post_(Wellington))*, 22 June, p. D3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Watch: Cantonese, with publisher and typeface designer Jack Yan"](https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/chinese-languages-aotearoa/watch-cantonese-publisher-and). Te Papa Tongarewa. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Martinkus, Angela. 2000, "Type cast", *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*, "Emag" supplement, March.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Komoneed_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Komoneed_11-1) Giardina, Sharon (30 May 2022). ["Interview with Jack Yan on global sustainable fashion"](https://komoneed.com/interview-with-jack-yan-on-global-sustainable-fashion/). Komoneed. Retrieved 11 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Pratzel, Anne-Marie. 1996, "New faces", *Publish*, August, p. 107

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Fernandez, Juanita. 2005, "Not your average CEO: Jack of all trades", *Wellington Today*, July–August, pp. 10–11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Rydergren, Tobias. 2002, "Go logo! Brand-soldaterna slår tillbaka", *Resumé*, 22 August, pp. 22–3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Vidal, Josie. 2000, "The web that Jack built", *[The Evening Post](/source/The_Evening_Post_(New_Zealand))*, "Flair" supplement, p. 8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Simpson, Emily. 2004, "Man with a plan", *ProDesign*, December 2004 – January 2005, pp. 34–36.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Car cyclopædia Autocade hits five million page views"](http://oversteer.co.nz/press-release-car-cyclopaedia-autocade-hits-five-million-page-views/). *Oversteer*. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["*Lucire* gets a sister print title: *Autocade* launches a lavish Yearbook"](https://lucire.com/insider/20231220/lucire-gets-a-sister-print-title-autocade-launches-as-a-lavish-yearbook/). 20 December 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Dixon, Mark (March 2025). ["Books"](https://www.octane-magazine.com/product/octane-issue-261-march-2025/). *Octane*. Retrieved 9 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Editors and contributors"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010111122700/http://www.visualartstrends.com/Ea/Ea1.html). *Visual Arts Trends*. Archived from [the original](http://www.visualartstrends.com/Ea/Ea1.html) on 11 January 2001. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Journal of Brand Management - Abstract of article: Corporate responsibility and the brands of tomorrow"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165358/http://www.palgrave-journals.com/bm/journal/v10/n4/abs/2540125a.html). 14 July 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.palgrave-journals.com/bm/journal/v10/n4/abs/2540125a.html) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Jack Yan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110202003823/http://www.desktopmag.com.au/author/jackyan). *Desktop*. Archived from [the original](http://www.desktopmag.com.au/author/jackyan) on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Fontzone"](https://web.archive.org/web/20000302001616/http://ww2.fontzone.com/zine). Archived from [the original](http://www.fontzone.com) on 2 March 2000. Retrieved 22 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Allaboutbranding.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20020123004339/http://allaboutbranding.com:80/). Archived from [the original](http://allaboutbranding.com) on 23 January 2002. Retrieved 14 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Winners 2023"](https://www.businessbookawards.co.uk/winners-2023/). Business Book Awards. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Keall, Chris. ["Ask me anything: Jack Yan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130920112226/http://www.nbr.co.nz/stayconnected?return=145992). *National Business Review*. Archived from [the original](http://www.nbr.co.nz/ask-jack) on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["The Panel with Jennie Morten and Jack Yan"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/thepanel/audio/2018761069/the-panel-with-jennie-morten-and-jack-yan-part-1). Radio New Zealand. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Botelho, Greg (2 December 2002). ["'Make-or-break' season"](http://edition.cnn.com/2002/US/11/15/sproject.hs02.plan/). CNN. Retrieved 10 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Mucha, Thomas (13 May 2004). "Marketing the brand 'America'". *Business 2.0*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Booth, Jenny (8 June 2003). "We have ways of making you forget". *The Sunday Telegraph*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Candidate profile: Jack Yan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100925075153/http://www.alliance.org.nz/2008-election/alliance-party-list/list-jack-yan). *The Alliance*. Archived from [the original](http://alliance.org.nz/2008-election/alliance-party-list/list-jack-yan/) on 25 September 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Official Count Results – Overall Status"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090209051141/http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/partystatus.html). [New Zealand Ministry of Justice](/source/New_Zealand_Ministry_of_Justice). Archived from [the original](http://2008.electionresults.govt.nz/partystatus.html) on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Jack Yan announces 2013 mayoral bid | Scoop News"](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1304/S00397/jack-yan-announces-2013-mayoral-bid.htm). *www.scoop.co.nz*.

## External links

- [Official website](https://jackyan.com)

- [Jack Yan](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1484350/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Interview with Yan on his type design career (in French)](http://www.planete-typographie.com/infos/designer/yan.html)

- [Interview with Yan on publishing *Lucire* (in French)](https://www.scopalto.com/post/jack-yan-lucire)

- [Interview with Yan on publishing *Lucire*](https://komoneed.com/de/lucire-modemagazin/) (in German)

- [*B&T Marketing and Media* interview with Yan on his publishing work (PDF)](https://web.archive.org/web/20060506063005/http://www.bandt.com.au/pdf/nzreports/NZ_APRIL05_P28_29.pdf)

- [Interviews with Yan on branding (MP3 files)](https://web.archive.org/web/20070807070829/http://nzbusiness.blogspot.com:80/2005/08/i-see-it-as-way-to-fight-terrorism.html)

Authority control databases International VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jack Yan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Yan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Yan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.