Wealth Finance

When former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak cut off the countrys Internet in an attempt to silence the media, Al Jazeera got creative and began broadcasting via cellphones and reporting through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

This kind of lateral thinking thrust the Arab CNN into the global spotlight and landed its leader Wadah Khanfar at the top of Fast Companys 2011 list of The 100 Most Creative People in Business.

We think a lot about whos going to be No. 1, said Fast Company executive editor Rick Tetzeli, noting Khanfars selection, ahead of innovative leaders at Apple (Scott Forstall, No. 2) and Google (Sebastian Thrun, No. 5), is a testament to the Al Jazeera editorial directors unorthodox approach to news.

He had done something over the last year that was very current, very public and really astounding when looked at by an American audience that doesnt get to see what he does much on television, Tetzeli said.

Rounding out Fast Companys top 10 are: Russian venture capitalist Yuri Milner (No. 3); Twitter and Square founder Jack Dorsey (No. 4); Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei (No. 6); social entrepreneur Sal Khan (No. 7); physician Jim Yong Kim (No. 9); Huffington Post founder Ariana Huffington (No. 10) and late-night TV host Conan OBrien (No. 8).

We believe that anybody can learn from anyone in whatever industry theyre in, said Tetzeli, who fought for OBriens inclusion in the top 10 and believes the comedians experience leaving NBC to start a new show on TBS is relevant to anybody trying to rejuvenate their career. I think more people are open to cross-disciplinary learning than they have ever been.

Fast Companys list (www.fastcompany.com/100), which hits newsstands May 24, will likely be just as talked about for whom it omits, and Apple fanboys are sure to voice their displeasure at the absence of Steve Jobs.

The third article you read about Steve Jobs creativity is not as interesting as the first, noted Tetzeli, who believes that showcasing such a diverse group of new innovators gives readers more insights into their own lives and careers.

Tetzelis other favorites on the list included controversial entrepreneur and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk (No. 16), college football coach Chip Kelly (No. 30) and former American Idol host Ryan Seacrest (No. 72). As someone whos been covering technology since 1997, Tetzeli described the inclusion of Amazon tribal leader, Chief Almir of the Surui (No. 53), for his use of Google and YouTube to help preserve his peoples traditions, as one of those moments that makes it all worthwhile.

In addition to Dorsey and Musk, other notable entrepreneurs include: Zappos founder Tony Hsieh (No. 29); Quoras Rebekah Cox (No. 35); Flipboard founder Marcos Weskamp (No. 42); Dogfish Head brewer Sam Calagione (No. 46); The Onions Baratunde Thurston (No. 49); Instagrams Kevin Systrom (No. 66); Indinero founder Jessica Mah (No. 74); Seth Priebatsch (No. 84) from Scvngr and Rovios (aka Angry Birds) Michael Hed (No. 100).

Calagione, who runs one of Americas fastest-growing craft breweries, remembered buying last years issue in an airport.

Im obviously flattered to be among this years ranks, said Calagione, who recently read fellow Fast Company member Hsiehs book. Our brewery is still relatively tiny; I think we have about one eighteenth of one percent market share. But weve done a pretty good job of building a pretty distinct brand in a pretty crowded industry.

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