PEP Talks

Alumni Update: Bridget Nelson Monroe

2010-12-20T17:28:00.000-08:00

I Want Her Job recently profiled Bridget, a digital strategist for Beehive PR in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Alumni Update: Jennie Dorris

2010-12-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

Telling Stories, a troupe of classical musicians and writers based in Colorado, was cited by the Denver Post as a "scrappy outfit" that might help keep classical music alive for young listeners. Drake's very own Jennie Dorris founded the group in 2006.

Alumni Update: Erika Nortemann

2010-12-20T17:00:00.000-08:00

Erika's photos of Mexico are highlighted in this Washington Post article on tropical rain forests.

Grad Blog Roll: Jonathan Hanson

2010-12-20T16:57:00.001-08:00

Jonathan posts some of his incredible photography from around the world. His profile:

Jonathan Hanson (b.1981, USA) received his B.A. in Magazine Journalism and English from Drake University and attended Ohio University’s Visual Communications MFA for a year and attended the Eddie Adams Workshop in 2010. He has been based in Baltimore for the past two and a half years after spending close to a year between Santa Fe, NM and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where he worked for the Santa Fe Workshops. After his adventures in Mexico, he returned to the U.S. and began his freelance career. His work has been recognized by The Magenta Foundation Flash Forward Award 2010, the National Press Photographers Association and The International Color Awards. Clients include, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, The New York Times, Bloomberg News, NPR, The Advocate, AARP Bulletin and USA Today among others.

Grad Blog Roll: Rachel DeSchepper

2010-12-20T16:53:00.000-08:00

Check out Rachel's Fresh Home blog for Reiman Media. DIY ideas, expert interviews, and occasional highlights of Drake classmates' handiwork.

Freelance Opportunity: NYC

2010-12-20T16:49:00.000-08:00

Needed: Freelance project-based web producer assistants to help with Rachel Ray site launch. Nothing glamorous -- you'll be living in the CMS but you'll get tons of production/web/SEO experience. January through April. Prefered to be in NYC. Please send anyone interested/qualified to rachel_deschepper@rd.com. Thanks!

Services for Erika Hoefer

2010-07-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

Services for Erika Hoefer ('05) will be Thursday, July 1, 2010, at Atonement Lutheran Church in Beloit, Wisconsin. Visitation is on Wednesday, July 14, from 5-8 p.m. at Daley Murphy Wisch Chapel. A memorial will be established at a later date. For more information, check the funeral home's site. My comments on Erika are in a previous post and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Sad Alumna News: Erika Hoefer

2010-07-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

When students graduate, professors look at the promise of their future and hope the world will be kind to them. We never think their future might last only five short years.

Erika Hoefer’s (’05) dreams came to an abrupt end in the mountains of western Montana last Sunday when the private plane she was on crashed and all those on board were killed.

As I think of Erika, I remember her vitality. I know that might seem overly dramatic to say a few days after her death—forced, even. It’s not. Erika really did have both personal and mental energy. I remember the media kit she designed for Launch, one of the capstone projects of the magazine sequence her senior year. She was creative director, which meant she could combine her many interests in photography, graphic design, writing, editing, and magazine economics. The media kit demonstrated that she understood the latter—and not all students did, that’s for sure. But the kit had the most amazing graphic presentation—full of energy that made the facts accessible and enjoyable to pore over. I still have a copy of it and I look at it from time to time, remembering Erika and the rest of that talented staff. I am so proud of them all.

Of course, I remember her striking looks. That beautiful red hair, her tall, confident bearing. I am not a heightist, but I always liked when I could look a student in the eye, rather than having to bend down a foot or so. We tall women do have a bond.

Would Erika have thought, a week ago, that she would be so widely mourned? That those who studied and played and created with her at Drake would be devastated? Could she have foreseen that I would cry when I read the story about her airplane being found, dashing my hopes that she might have made it out alive? I suspect not.

Angela Renkoski, another of Erika's magazine professors, said this tragedy reminded her that Drake is very much a family to students, staff, and teachers. We both recalled Erika in an article in Drake Blue, written by her classmate Tory Olson. We have lost a member of our Drake family and, in our sadness, we can only imagine the grief felt by Erika's parents and other family members.

Erika knew I was thinking of her on the trip, because she posted on Facebook that she was going over Glacier National Park in a private plane. What an adventure, I thought. What a match for Erika. I hit the “like” button.

She headed out on that last trip, a young woman who always took life in her confident stride. Life did not respond with such generosity this time.

I am glad I reconnected with her on Facebook, glad that I could see how her life was unfolding, that the small and the large of it were rewarding. I wanted to keep reading about it, though.

I was hoping for some great photos of her trip over Glacier.

I was hoping for more than 27 years of Erika.

Media Outlets Using Freelance Mines That Pay As Little As $5 A Story

2010-04-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

From Ad Age's Media Works:

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- More major media companies are looking for ways to find cheap content. Thomson Reuters, Cox Newspapers and Hachette Filipacchi have run articles supplied by Associated Content, one of several companies, such as Demand Media and AOL's SEED, that mines reporting from masses of freelancers for as little as $5 a story.
Hachette is using Associated to supply some content for its Woman's Day site. Thomson Reuters experimented with Associated for a limited period of time last year but plans to ink similar deals in the future, whether with Associated or another content provider. And Cox's Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a handful of articles from Associated last summer; it is now running regular articles supplied by Demand Media.
Such partnerships further the ongoing shift among established news operations to capitalize on the availability of cheap content, such as USA Today's recent deal with Demand Media, which is using its network of freelancers to supply pieces for a new Travel Tips section on USA Today's website. More.

Note to Advertisers: Print is Not Dead

2010-04-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

An excellent blog post from Folio on the advertising climate for print magazines and how advertisers--once again--are missing the point:

Some of the biggest players in consumer magazine publishing kicked up a lot of buzz earlier this week when they announced the launch of “Magazines, The Power of Print.” The seven-month campaign is expected to roll out with the May issues (April 5 for weeklies) of nearly 100 print magazines and their Web sites. The purpose? To remind readers, and especially advertisers, that the print magazine medium is still very much alive, and kicking.

Since posting our news story about the campaign, I’ve heard a number of valid questions asked about it. First off, why now? To some, this sounds like an attempt (a few say a desperate one) to cling to a shrinking medium.

That’s not so, says Hearst Corp. executive vice president and publishing director Michael Clinton. In addition to Hearst, the campagin was formed jointly by Time Inc., Condé Nast, Meredith Corp. and Wenner Media. “It is a misperception that print is a shrinking medium,” Clinton told me this morning. “It is a growing medium—audiences are growing, subscriptions are growing, etc. The magazine business, collectively, has said that we have this incredibly dynamic medium that consumers love and spend money on, and we need to tell that story in a bigger way. MORE

Sunset Magazine Cover as Imagined on the iPad

2010-04-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

Art Director Jesse Rosten demonstrates how Sunset magazine's cover might look on the iPad.

Mag Alum Tanner Stransky Covers Broadway

2010-04-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

Tanner has what sounds like a fun job, but there is work involved, like watching Broadway plays. (Seriously, writing for a weekly can be highly stressful.) Here is Tanner's review of Stuffed and Unstrung on ew.com.

Mag grad Amanda Hein makes Oprah.com

2010-04-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding? Check out Oprah.com's guide, complete with photos by Drake magazine grad Amanda Hein.

Top Magazines Prove Print is Not Dead--Just Connected

2010-04-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

People magazine Leads Media Week's Top Ten Magazine Hot List 2010, followed by Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, The Economist, Sports Illustrated, Runners World, family Circle, More, and Parent and Child. Solid mags all, clear about their audience and mission, proving once again that print is not dead. Most, however, also harnessed social media and some-—People, Women's Health, Men's Health--jumped on the apps bandwagon effectively. As Media Week editors write. "People magazine's brand seems to be everywhere." Others made their case successfully to readers and advertisers, maintaining a healthy bottom line in a year of economic turmoil that bumped many titles off the map. Parent and Child, for example, a Scholastic magazine, now has ads from CVS and Olay, for a 9.7 percent ad increase in 2009. Read more here.

Drake Wins Six SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards

2010-03-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, Drake magazine students. More awards!

Drake University students are gaining widespread recognition for outstanding journalism with six Region 7 Mark of Excellence awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

The society accepted entries in 39 categories from across 12 regions for work in the 2009 calendar year.

"To have six finalists is a testament to the quality of the work our students are doing," said Lori Blachford, the Peggy Fisher and Larry Stelter Chair in Magazine Journalism and faculty adviser for Drake Magazine. "I'm especially proud that Drake students are excelling in both print and online formats. That kind of versatility is essential in the ever-changing media environment." MORE

Grants for New Media Women Entrepreneurs

2010-03-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism and the McCormick Foundation are seeking to fund four women-led projects that will rock the world of journalism.
We will fund individuals who have original ideas to create new Web sites, mobile news services or other entrepreneurial initiatives that offer interactive opportunities to engage, inspire and improve news and information in a geographic community or a community of interest. MORE

Two Travel Magazines, One Cover Image

2010-03-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

Look closely at the cover of the April 2010 Conde Nast Traveler. In the background is the cliff of Italy’s Amalfi coast. Then look at the April 2010 issue of National Geographic Traveler. Same subject—the Amalfi coast— but in close-up this time. A fabulous destination and a great photo-op, but worthy of both major travel magazines in the same month? With the world to choose from, both magazines choose the same cover location?

2000-2010 in Magazine Covers from the MPA

2010-03-13T15:44:00.000-08:00

Covering the decade in magazine covers—2000-2010—from the Magazine Publishers of America.

Online Writing Workshop at Drake March 27

2010-02-16T18:05:00.000-08:00

Writers and the Web:

Creating Content That Connects

March 27, 2010 • Meredith Hall • Drake University

Presenter: Chris Snider, assistant managing editor/digital, The Des Moines Register

How do you create content that search engines—and readers—like? This morning workshop tells you what you need to know about search

engine optimization (SEO) and what that means to your ability to write lively content that connects with and builds your audience.

We’ll study:

• The best way to package your online message.

• How people actually use the Internet—and how you can take advantage of that.

• What is SEO?

• Why is it important?

• How do you test your site’s SEO ranking?

• How do you improve it?

• How do you drive more links to your site?

• How to make your stories appear in Google News.

8:30 a.m.: Registration

9 to noon: Presentation

Registration $50 ($40 if you register in advance — contact shari.tenney@drake.edu or 271-3194)

Payment at the door—checks or cash. Free for Drake students.

Sponsored by:

Drake University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication

E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies

For more information: Contact Patricia Prijatel, E.T. Meredith Distinguished Professor Emeritus, patricia.prijatel@drake.edu

Video Business, Other RBI Titles Closing

2010-01-06T13:18:00.000-08:00

From MIN online:

Reed Business Information has announced the closure of Video Business, a 29-year-old title covering the home video entertainment business..... According to a statement from the company:

"Effective today, RBI-US is closing MBT (Manufacturing Business Technology), Industrial Distribution and Video Business. Also, effective April 8, 2010, DM2 will no longer manage, market or rent 3rd party (non-RBI) lists. DM2 will continue to support internal list management through the resolution of the divestiture process."

2002 Drake Grad Becomes Executive Editor of Advertising Age

2009-12-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

Congratulations, Abbey!

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Advertising Age today named Abbey Klaassen as its new executive editor, in charge of all editorial operations for the brand. She replaces Jonah Bloom, who is leaving Ad Age to become CEO and editor-in-chief of B2B blog network Breaking Media.

Abbey Klaassen

Ms. Klaassen, currently digital editor for Ad Age, joined the publication five years ago, and has developed a number of successful new products for Ad Age, including the annual Digital Issue and companion Ad Age Digital Conference, the DigitalNext blog and her twice-weekly newsletter. Her experience at Ad Age before that includes coverage of TV, radio and out-of-home advertising.
Before joining Ad Age, she was assistant editor in Minneapolis at Mpls-St. Paul Magazine, and wrote for the Twin Cities Business Monthly. Read the entire story here.

Social Media for Freelancers

2009-12-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

How many of you have blogs? How many are on Facebook? Twitter? LinkedIn? I suspect most of you are on most of the social media sites.

But why?

What’s your goal for your Facebook account? Your blog? What do you hope to get out of it? Is it truly only social, or do you see the professional potential?

Social media used strategically can be a boon to the freelancer.

We’re not always so good at strategic thinking, though. When we decide to go on a trip, we check with Mapquest to see the best route to assure we get to our destination efficiently and successfully. Do we use that same strategy in life? Not so much.

We might know that, if we’re going to Minneapolis, there’s a good road to get there, but we’re not entirely sure when or how to get on that road and how long to plan for the trip.

Social media can be your freelancing Mapquest, helping link you with editors, sources, research materials, and tools for organization and promotion that can get you from a wannabe to a published writer.

Let’s look at how to use social media strategically:

PLANNING

A blog can be an excellent planning tool for a writer. I have three blogs:

This one, PEP Talks (the PEP refers to my initials, which is how I signed notes to students), for Drake students and alums.

Magazine Masters, which is a company Sammye Johnson (my co-author on The Magazine from Cover to Cover and I started for our magazine consulting business.

And Positives About Negative, a breast cancer blog I created to help women understand and deal with hormone-receptor negative breast cancer, a form I had not even heard of when I was diagnosed with it almost four years ago.

I use these blogs as my “notes” for two books I have in the works—one on breast cancer and the third edition of The Magazine from Cover to Cover. When I come across news, I put it on my blog, so it is there for easy reference. This is especially true with the cancer blog, a I not only have the information, but the data I need for a citation.

I use the blogs as journals to throw out thoughts and get reactions to them. And even if nobody responds, I still have found a way to express myself that will come in handy eventually in some way—maybe I will pick an entire graf from the blog for a book, maybe I will never look at it again, but the act of having written it helps me get me head around a concept. My Life in Cemeteries,for example, was something I enjoyed writing, and I like having it on my blog, but it will never go anywhere other than this.

However, articles on breast recurrence statistics are some of my most searched topics. I realized this, in looking at Sitemeter, which tells me what topics people searched. When I put the label TRIPLE NEGATIVE RECURRENCE on posts, it upped my page views significantly.

So, in writing my breast cancer book, I use this information to assure that I cover the topics women are most concerned about. And I get letters almost daily in which women ask me specific questions, giving me additional information on what they need to know.

RESEARCH

If you’re researching a difficult topic, ask your FB friends for help. I have seen people asking for sources, for names of editors at specific publications, and doing simple surveys.

Experts now say that Facebook might replace Google as a research tool. Why? Because we can ask targeted questions of specific people and know we can trust the answers. When I was planning to cover this topic, I asked my Facebook friends what I should cover.

Some answers from my friends:

We all like to work with people we know, like, and trust. However, we don't always remember to use the people we know, like, and trust when we get the chance. Social media is a way to keep yourself on the minds of your friends and family so they'll think of you when they need your services.

The only drawbacks I see in social media sites generally are privacy and needing to invest time to manage your online profile -- particularly if you have a common name where you could be confused with professionals in other industries.

I am on LinkedIn, Plaxo and Facebook. Each of them allows me to stay connected with colleagues/friends and makes me visible to others I may not know yet. I have been contacted a handful of times by people in my career field that I have never met who wanted to know more about me, or tell me about themselves, because of the public profiles I've posted.So far, two of them have told me about potential openings within their company and asked me to apply. Although neither position was right for me, I would not have know about the openings without the social networking sites I was a member of.

PUBLISHING

Of course, a blog gives you the chance to get published quickly, but that doesn’t mean much unless you publish something worthwhile. In fact, it can be problematic because once something is online, who knows where it might go.

Publish something of quality, and who knows what might happen. Stories of blogs becoming movies and books abound—Julie and Julia being the most recent.

My cancer blog was one reason I got a book contract. It showed the editors that I was qualified to write such a technical book, and the fact that I was already online on the topic meant they had a built-in audience and means of promotion.

Likewise, I was recently asked to be on the board of directors of another cancer organization and I am negotiating to blog regularly on still another cancer site. When they called to talk to me about blogging, they called me an expert in the field. I got there by writing about the topic, largely on my blog.

PROMOTION

Promoting your work on Facebook and Twitter, and cross-promoting it on your blog drives readers to your site, it reminds readers that you’re out there writing things worth reading, and it helps build your reputation as a professional. That's why this post has so many links to my other sites.

But strategy is essential here. Your Facebook friends should include people who can help your professionally. It’s great that Mom is impressed, but professionally, she's really not that much help.

CONNECTION

Connecting with people with similar interests around the world allows a writer to develop a global perspection and to build friendships with like-minded folks you would otherwise not have met. I have regular readers from Indonesia, Sweden, Japan, England, Australia California, Massachusets and most of the 50 states. When I check who is reading me, the global mix is startling and greatly rewarding. Even more rewarding are the letters I receive from these readers. One was titled, "I my darkest hour, I found your blog." Wow. Some examples:

I am devouring your blog and am so happy to have found you!
I found your site a couple of months ago and I feel so "privileged." You are an inspiration.
I found your Positives about Negative blog this morning and have spent the last hour or so completely engrossed. THANK YOU so much for your amazing, educational, helpful, reassuring, thorough blog. i have sent the link to all my TN friends.

Those comments alone are worth the effort.

Scientific American Names first Woman EIC

2009-12-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

After 164 years of publishing, one of America's oldest magazines--it was started as a newspaper in 1845—has finally put a woman at the helm. (Sigh. Such a milestone for the 21st Century!) From the news release:

Longtime science journalist Mariette DiChristina has been named the first female editor-in-chief of Scientific American in the magazine's 164-year history.
DiChristina, who joined the magazine in 2001 as executive editor, has been serving as acting editor-in-chief since her predecessor, John Rennie, left in June. Although she admits to feeling a sense of responsibility as the venerable mag's first female leader, DiChristina seemed humbled by our sense of awe in her accomplishments.
"I have two young daughters; one of them wants to be a scientist, and the other one wants to be the editor of Scientific American," she told FishbowlNY. "I think anybody who is a position of leadership should feel a sense of responsibility. And I don't know if mine is any greater or less because I'm a first for the magazine. I know I'm very honored and grateful."
Read more here.

Another Flair Magazine Redo Published

2009-11-18T17:24:00.000-08:00

Ivy Baer Sherman saw Flair magazine for the first time in 2003 at an exhibit at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery. Six years later, she has started Vintage magazine, a reprisal of the iconic 1950s magazine. Vintage is published twice a year and has the artsy fold-outs and special inserts that made Flair such a fun read.

According to Folio magazine, the magazine’s revenue source is still unclear.

One huge difference between Vintage and its 1950’s inspiration? Vintage is on Facebook and Twitter. Had she had the chance, you can be sure Fleur Cowles—who died earlier this year—would have been a huge online presence.

Flair was published by Des Moines-based Cowles Publishing and lasted exactly a year, 1950. Fleur wa

s married to Gardner (Mike) Cowles, who bankrolled the project, reputedly losing $2.5 million on it. Let’s wish Ms. Sherman better luck.

Flaunt magazine, another Flair look-alike, has embossed, die-cut covers ad lots of production tricks; it has lasted more than 100 issues. The E.T. Center for Magazine Studies at Drake University has a full run of Flair, plus Fleur Cowles’ book, The Best of Flair and a good selection of Flaunt magazines. Or check my book, The Magazine from Cover to Cover, for a history of Flair.

Metropolitan Home to Close

2009-11-09T11:45:00.001-08:00

Metropolitan Home magazine, which started life as Better Homes and Gardens Apartment Ideas magazine, is the latest casualty of the recession. It will cease publication with its December issue, according to a Hachette Filipacchi announcement this morning. Met Home has been published under that title for 26 years. Ad pages for the third quarter were down 35.7 percent from the same period of 2008. The company plans to focus its energies on ELLE Decor.

On another blog, I share an article I published in 1995 about the magazine's history. Read it here.

Drake magazine wins another Pacemaker

2009-11-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

From a Drake University news release.

The Associated Collegiate Press has awarded Drake University's student-produced Drake Magazine the ACP Pacemaker Award for Magazine Excellence.

In addition, Drake graduate Brittainey Sieren placed third in the magazine spread design category, and current student Danny Akright received honorable mention in the feature photography category.

Winners were announced at the 88th ACP and Annual College Media Association's National Convention in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 31.

"The Pacemaker Award is the most prestigious award in student publishing," said Lori Blachford, the Peggy Fisher and Larry Stelter chair of magazine journalism at Drake. "We are competing against schools all across the nation, so to receive recognition as outstanding magazine of the year from that organization is a real honor."

"This is a national award that puts the Drake student magazine at the top of the pack for student publications," said Kathleen Richardson, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. "Almost all of the other finalists were from bigger schools."

The staff of San Francisco's Wired magazine judged the publications in the magazine excellence category on:
Art, photography, and graphics
Content
Layout and design
Overall concept or theme
Quality of writing and editing
"The students who work on Drake Magazine gain real-life experience in magazine production," Blachford said. "They start each semester with a collection of blank pages and make all the decisions required to arrive at the end of the semester with a magazine that represents their best work."

Tara Richards, a senior magazine major from Indianola, Iowa, served as the publication's 2008-09 editor in chief.

"I loved working for Drake Magazine," Richards said. "The whole staff was extremely dedicated to the project and we gave our all to make sure the publication was the best it could be."

When asked about her future career, Richards said, "I would love to work as an editor for a magazine or Web site. The experiences I've had at Drake have been invaluable in preparing me for the real world of journalism."

Congratulations to Last Year's Drake Magazine Staff!

Alums on camera: Joe Wiesenfelder

2009-10-27T18:51:00.001-07:00

It's always a kick when I turn on the TV and see an alum being interviewed as an expert. Tonight, it was Joe Wiesenfelder (89) of cars.com. Joe was interviewed on the CBS Evening News—this is the third time I have seen him there. This time, the story was about Ford's emergence as a serious competitor in the current car market.

Joe said:

"They [Ford] have to convince the consumers that they make good reliable cars and that is, in some ways, harder than making good, reliable cars," said Joe Wiesenfelder with Cars.com. "It takes a long time."

See the entire story here.

Twenty Tweetable Truths About Magazines

2009-10-20T08:24:00.001-07:00

Here's a lively pitch for the industry. It's an emphasis on the positives about magazines:

Readers love them

Teens love them

Advertisers love them

They do good work

Go magazines!

Musings on the Death of Gourmet

2009-10-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

My husband loves to cook and is good at it. Our pantry is full of cookbooks and cooking magazines. Taking up increasing amounts of space, though, are loose sheets of paper—recipes he has printed off the Internet. Why dig through a stack of magazines looking for sweet potato enchiladas (yum!) when all he has to do is Google it?

That is one simplistic explanation for the death this week of Gourmet, after 68 years of publishing. (The magazine was even older than me!) Gourmet was a lush publication offering foodies a major shot of recipes, menus, back stories, and escape from normalcy.

Normalcy, though, has become a fight for many Americans. Just keeping up with mortgage, insurance, and day-to-day costs keeps readers in this recession-stunned country focused on more banal issues than lunch at Berkeley, California’s Chez Panisse. We now eat at Chez Ramen Noodles.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that one of the restaurants featured in Gourmet’s October cover story, The French Laundry in Yountville, California http://www.frenchlaundry.com/, will cause serious damage to your budget--$264 for dinner for one, a single drink, and a tip.

Still, 978,000 print readers remained loyal to Gourmet. I would argue that, in this recession, the only access most readers have to such pricey dining is through their magazines. Magazines have long provided a fantasy function for readers.

Why kill a magazine that still has enough readers to create their own sizable city? Advertisers. Conde Nast has lost 8,000 ad pages so far this year.

So, we have several problems here, all part of a cockamamie magazine business model:

1. Publishers remain dependent on advertisers who really could care less about a title beyond its reputed appeal to buyers of their products rather than on readers of the magazine who are committed and loyal.

Early in their history, magazines were supported entirely by readers—advertising was a byproduct of the industrial revolution. Perhaps it is time for more daring publishers to ask readers to pay more, thus allowing them to get off the advertising dole. Well, it’s been time for that for a few decades.

2. Publishers who give away valuable content on the Internet. That cat is so far out of the bag that getting him back is going to cause of few folks to get their editorial hands seriously scratched. It might be time, though, to suffer a few wounds rather than cutting their hands off completely. Check out Gourmet's free recipes online.

3. Out-of-control executive pay and profit margins. As in other industries, the multi-million dollar salaries of CEOs and publishers continues, while the worker bees face job losses and pay cuts.

Update on Jobs

2009-10-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

Reports continue to be mixed on the job front. Some magazines and websites are hiring--or at least searching. Some, most recently Conde Nast, are cutting. Those searching include:

Minonline has a couple new editorial jobs open.

As does mediabistro.

And monster.com.

Also, alum Lexi Walters sends word that familyfun.com has relaunched.

Send me your good news. We're all tired of the bad.

Alum Update: Jennie Dorris

2009-10-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

Jennie Dorris shares her experience and knowledge about individual health insurance, for Denver's 5280 magazine. It's especially current, given today's health care debate.

Alum Update: Mike Mettler

2009-09-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer, Mike Mettler and his magazine, Sound & Vision, moved across town—from Hachette Filipacci to Bonnier Corporation. As part of the move, he redesigned the magazine, making it perfect-bound and giving it a new logo. Mike talks about the redesign to Folio.

ReadyMade's Take on Apartment Life

2009-09-01T07:25:00.001-07:00

Alum Rachel DeSchepper sent me this article on Apartment Life magazine, a wonderful icon of the 1970s. Many of you sat through my discussions of that magazine, so you might be interested in ReadyMade's look back at the publication. And for those of you in Des Moines, stop by the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies, 111 Meredith Hall on the Drake campus, and look at old copies of Apartment Life, Metropolitan Home, and Mother Earth News.

Drake Magazine Alumni Update: Abbey Klaassen, Kelly Roberson, John August

2009-08-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Abbey Klaassen, digital editor of Ad Age, explains how the PR community can best work with Ad Age.

Kelly Roberson, freelance writer and editor, just sent her son off to kindergarten; her letter to Theo was published on The New York Times' Motherlode blog.

Screenwriter John August is writing the big-screen version of Preacher. He also gives advice on screening writing on his site, johnaugust.com. (Full disclosure: John graduated from Drake's J-School, but not in magazines. I list him here because he was editor of Drake magazine.)

Helpful site for freelancers

2009-08-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

Freelancers, check out:

AbsoluteWrite, with some good ideas on markets and how to approach them. It's a handy little site in which freelancers help one another.

Job seekers: Post your resume

2009-08-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

Looking for a job? Post your resume free at:

Tina Brown: Fear for the future of the content, not just the medium

2009-07-28T01:59:00.000-07:00

Tina Brown says our concern should not be just with the future of magazines or newspapers, but the future of journalistic integrity, which is increasingly diminished when content is free. Brown spoke to Chicago Tribune's Phil Rosenthal. Read it here.

Magazine Ad Revenue Will Remain Dicey Even When Economy Rebounds

2009-07-28T01:48:00.000-07:00

Ad age says magazines need to focus on "subs, apps, events and innovations" to be profitable in the future. Key points:

• ad pages in the monthlies in September were down 22 percent.

• this can't be blamed entirely on the recession.

• magazines can't depend on advertisers to return once the economy recovers.

• readers still want magazines--more than 189 million U.S. adults read a magazine in the past 30 days, according to Mediamark Research and Intelligence. And consumers still trust magazine advertising more than advertising on the web, radio, or TV.

Read the entire article here.

Despite Recession, Foodies Love Their Magazine

2009-07-28T01:45:00.000-07:00

Advertising Age says this about Food Network magazine:

The popular cable network made a risky foray into publishing in 2009, the most challenging year the magazine industry has seen in decades, and came out swinging. Since switching from quarterly to every-other-month frequency in the spring, the title announced it will see its rate base expand from 400,000 at launch to 1 million by January 2010 -- some six months ahead of schedule, according to its publishers at Hearst.

Top 20 Magazine Websites

2009-07-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

24/7 has done a list of the top 20 magazine websites. Check it out here. Their criteria:

The sites were rated “A” though “F” based on: 1) strength of content; 2) ease of use and navigation; 3) use of new technology and online tools including comment sections, message boards, and multimedia; 4) layout; 5) presence of a strong set of advertisers; and 6) size of audience based on unique visitor data from June measurements by Compete.com. Each listing shows Compete data for June 2009 and in brackets the figures for the same month a year ago. Some of these figures are likely to be affected because several of the magazines on the list, Time and Newsweek , share their content with news portals including CNN.com and MSNBC.com. The traffic numbers may be skewed by that. Two organizations had more than one publication in the Top Twenty: AAA and AARP. The on-line publications owned by these organizations were grouped under their parent organizations.

Drake's Magazines Win More Awards

2009-07-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

New awards for the talented Drake students in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication's Magazine contest:

Think magazine won first place for general excellence; first place, design; and second place, editorial excellence. Emma Barker was editor-in-chief.

Drake Magazine won second place for design (junior Annie Fuhrman designed both Think and Drake Mag); third place, editorial; and third place, service article (by Tara Richards et al). Tara Richards was editor in chief.

DrakeMag Online won 2nd place for online magazines. Matt McGuire was online editor.

I've included judges comments on the design award below. I selected these to highlight because I love it when Drake magazines win both first and second places.

Single Issue of an Ongoing Magazine—Design

Judge: Bob Gray, design consultant for aarp.org and former design editor at National

Geographic

First Place

Think

Why It Won: Great use of strong imagery along with a solid design brings Think up from

last year’s second place to the winner’s spot. The results show the design team was

thinking on many levels to meet the challenge of creating a controlled underlying structure

that allowed them to orchestrate weighty and sobering stories in a surprising and visually

engaging way.

Highlights:

• Use of provocative imagery with typographic design in a supporting role.

• Use of color-coding for organization of departments. Nicely sets them apart from

the features.

• Controlled typography. Good, readable text type, but needed a little more attention

to widows and character/word spacing when using justified setting.

• Effective use of the 7 5/8-inch x10-inch trim size especially with images.

• Use of infographics, sidebars, timelines as additional entry points throughout the

magazine.
Second Place

Drake

Why It Won: Deft integration of engaging photography with creative typographic

treatments kept me turning the pages. This magazine consistently makes the top three

so I congratulate not only the students, but the program directors as well. The design is

consistently well organized with good margin space, column widths and solid

typesetting. The photography is well-played on the pages and the use of periodic design

devices create a pleasing visual structure.

Cover: Unfortunately the weakest component of this issue, though still following

enough rules to stay solid. I wish the concept (which is good) had been further

explored.

Front and Back of the Book: Strong, yet underplayed graphics help readers know

where they are throughout the magazine. The controlled design allows for breakouts on

departments without sacrificing consistency. Again, the conceptual photography and

design solutions on are excellent.

Highlights:

• Concept, photography, design, white space, and color choice of “In Transition”

feature. Beautiful!

• Contents page

• Design and photography in Spare Change department

New Job Posting: Managing Editor

2009-06-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

Lexicon Consulting, a Des Moines media firm, is looking for a managing editor. The person will replace Julie Collins (Drake -05). Check it out here.

Des Moines Freelance Summit July 18

2009-06-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

iowa society of professional journalists

freelance summit 2009

who: Editors from local publications including Meredith Corp. and The Des Moines

in writing, copy editing, photography, graphic design and web development.

Come learn about possible opportunities in Greater Des Moines, network with

editors and discover best practices to running your freelance business.

what: Activities include roundtable networking, where editors and freelancers will

meet in small groups, and a panel discussion featuring both seasoned editors and

freelancers who can answer your questions. A complete list of editors and itiner-

ary will be published here in June.

when: Saturday, July 18, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Registration begins at 9)

where: Des Moines Social Club, 1408 Locust St., Des Moines

fee: Before July 3: $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers

July 3 and after: $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers

*Includes roundtables, light breakfast and lunch.

For more information, e-mail iowaspj@gmail.com

Newsweeklies trying to follow The Economist--finally

2009-06-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Atlantic has an excellent article evaluating why The Economist continues to gain readers and advertisers while Time and Newsweek shrink into irrelevance. Newsweek's recent redesign follows The Economist's lead--but, as the article says, it's about ten years too late. Yes, the economy is hurting the media, but the media are also hurting themselves, and have been for decades. In this article, Michael Hirschorn explains some of the many ways American magazines miss the mark—and miss their audience's needs. Good reading.

Flair Magazine Founding Editor Dies

2009-06-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

Fleur Cowles, who started one of the most graphically innovative magazines ever—Flair magazine, published for the full year of 1950—has died in London. Fleur visited Drake in the 1990s and offered her inimitable insight. In preparation for the book I was writing, I asked her what magazine she would read if she could choose only one. "I would start my own," she said.

Fleur motivated The Telegraph of London to run an unusually cheeky and entertaining obituary. Read it here.

Rest in high fashion, Fleur. (Her name was actually Florence, and she preferred to think she was 92, not 101.)

DEAR PEP: How do I dress for a job interview?

2009-06-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

DEAR PEP: I just landed a job interview at a magazine for early next week, but I'm not sure what to wear. Are suits necessary at magazine/newspaper/publishing jobs? If not, what is the typical outfit for the perfect interview? Obviously I want to show that I'm a serious candidate, but I thought a suit might be too stuffy for the job. Any help would be greatly appreciated!—New Grad.

DEAR GRAD: No, a suit is not necessary is you are applying on the creative side—as a writer or designer. You might get a little more formal if you are applying for the business side or are headed to a trade publication for a button-down field such as law or business. For writers and designers, in general, you just need to wear your best duds, but you can go slightly casual. Make sure everything is clean, pressed, and clear of lint, dog hair, or any other tacky embellishments. Make sure your shoes are clean and nicely polished.

Some suggestions:

FOR WOMEN:

• Your best slacks or a skirt that is at least knee length. It’s nice that you have great gams, but this is not the time to show them off.

•A top that fits you well and is cut so it covers your breasts. Again, this is no time to show off, so keep your busty beauty to yourself.

•A casual jacket would work well and will come in handy for meetings and other occasions once you get the job.

• Appropriate shoes. If you don’t wear stilettos (good for you, your feet will thank you in 20 years), this is no place to start. Heels are fine if you have them, but nice flats work just as well. Avoid nun shoes. And wear socks just this once—you can find comfy-knee highs and thigh-highs. I would avoid open toes here, especially because they look really dorky with socks. If you must show off your toes, go commando, but do your nails.

FOR MEN:

• Your best slacks and a good belt. If your belt is showing wear, invest in a new one. Make sure the pants just hit the top of your shoes.

• A clean, pressed shirt tucked in neatly. A dressy, long-sleeved button-up is best.

• A tie. Just this once. It won’t kill you.

• A sports jacket. No need for the full suit, but a sports coat is a nice touch and will come in handy later.

• Appropriate shoes. Nothing athletic at this point. Good leather, or faux leather.

Julie Collins Shares Writing Wisdom

2009-06-06T09:50:00.001-07:00

Alum Julie Collins (o6) has started a blog about her adventures as a freelance writer. She offers solid advice and perspective at Julie Tries Writing.

Alums on the tube

2009-05-11T23:39:00.000-07:00

Wendy Naugle ('96) has become a Today Show favorite. She was on May 11, talking about personal hygiene. Should you walk barefoot in the gym? Pick food up from the floor? Wendy tells you when things are bad for you and which are "filthy but fine." It's tied to a "How Grody are You?" feature in Glamour, where Wendy is deputy editor.

And watch for Joe Weisenfelder ('89) on the evening news as an expert on stories related to the auto industry. He was most recently on the CBS Evening News Friday, May 8. "If I'm wearing a suit at the office, everyone knows that something, somewhere, has gone wrong in the industry," Joe says.

Think Magazine: Spring 09

2009-04-29T10:32:00.001-07:00

Think magazine, started in 2007 as the capstone project for Drake magazine and news-Internet majors, will launch its third issue May 1. Meanwhile, the online magazine is quite impressive. Check it out!

Drake students win more awards

2009-04-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Guess who won first, second AND third places in the Best Student Magazines category in the Society of Professional Journalist's regional awards last weekend? It starts with a "D", ends with an "e" and it's not Duke. Check out the winning Drake magazines here.

Class of 1999: Janeen Levine

2009-04-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

I moved back to the East Coast in 1999 and settled in suburban Philadelphia, where I continue to live and work. In 2004, I earned my M.Ed. degree and PA certification in Elementary Education. I spent six years working for Knowledge Learning Corporation as a kindergarten teacher and program specialist. Currently, I work for Creative Beginnings, which is the preschool that serves the children of Fox Chase Cancer Center employees. After many years of casting about, I found a niche that integrates everything I love best—while challenging me to grow as an educator, an administrator, a trainer, and an advocate. My snappy title is “Learning and Behavioral Specialist,” and my role encompasses a myriad of responsibilities. As an onsite trainer, much of my time is spent writing and delivering responsive training workshops for our teachers and administrators. The main focus of my job, however, is to support the identification, referral, and inclusion of children with learning differences. I am fortunate to collaborate with five other administrators who share the same level of passion, ambition, and commitment to the field. And I still firmly believe that my background in writing has served my career as an educator very well.

In 2007, I edited seven nursing textbooks in the Incredibly Easy series published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. It was an interesting gig that taught me a lot about positioning myself as a freelance editor and believing in both my skills and pedigree as a Drake-educated writer. My fellow 515 pioneers may be surprised to learn that I earned a lofty photo credit for a clinical photo shoot I completed in 2007, as well. Additionally, I hold a position on the leadership team for ETS (Educational Testing Service), the publishers of the national Praxis teacher certification exams. I continue to serve as a freelance test question developer and respondent for ETS in the division of Education of Young Children. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my 4-year-old niece, traveling, reading, and attending live theatre.

Ten Years Later: Drake Magazine grads of 1999

2009-04-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

They started 515, won tons of awards, and then went off to make their own way in the world. I have asked for updates on the grads of 1999. Here's a start.

Amanda (Bradford) Cortright: Goodness, 10 years ago I would have never thought I'd dive into the newspaper industry, but here I am. After Drake, I started at a small paper on the southwest coast of Florida as a copy editor and designer. About a year later, I moved to Daytona Beach where I started out again as a copy editor and designer. Over the past nine years here I've moved around within the newspaper, being promoted at points. I started designing 1A on a regular basis, then was moved into the Features department where I was their primary designer. Now I'm the Assitant Features Editor here (the Daytona Beach News-Journal) mainly designing still, but working with reporters/photographers on developing the packages. Fun stuff most days, tho the newspaper industry definitely has its drawbacks lately.

Nicholas Fonseca left Entertainment Weekly on in April; he and his partner Ben are moving to Australia. Here’s his farewell note to EW: I’m grateful for all of the opportunities that I have had at EW. I’ve wanted to work here since I was 12 years old, and in fact, it’s the reason I went into journalism in the first place. I was blessed enough to get a job here, and it’s a job that has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. But it’s time to move on and figure out what else I want in life. Ben and I have both been wanting to try out Australia for a few years, and we want to do it while we are young. New York City is always going to be home, and I have no doubt that I’ll be coming back. But why not give something else a try? We will be traveling all over Australia for about six months, participating in a program called WWOOF (wwoof.com.au), through which we’ll join people on their farms/homesteads and helping them out with everything from picking avocados to shearing sheep to regenerating farmland to...you name it. Essentially, we’re going to be living off the land for the rest of the year. It’s a big leap (and a long way from my seat at the Oscars a few years ago), but I’m thrilled to be trying it out. We’ll settle in Sydney around Dec./Jan., and figure out what we want to do next. I’ve got some magazine contacts down under that I’m hoping to utilize. Or maybe I’ll finally become the yoga teacher that I always said I wanted to be.

Jason Oswald: I earned an MBA at Butler University and, in late 2006, Securian Financial Group offered me the opportunity to take a position in the parent company, and I moved to St. Paul in early 2007. I work in mergers and acquisitions, across all of our divisions and businesses, at the enterprise level. Our group also works on corporate strategy, strategic partnerships, and other development activities. I love it! Plus, I still get to use my writing and communications skills. For a while, I had been concerned I was 'losing my edge' - I wasn't excited about the work I was doing and not being able to use anything I had learned. This new position has really re-energized me.

Amanda, Nicholas, and Jason are all on Facebook, as am I.

I would love to hear from more 1999 alums.

Des Moines' ED2010 WIns National Award

2009-04-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Des Moines ED2010 has won the national group’s first-ever Chapter of the Year award. This recognition was based on the fact that the group has been active since its inception in 2001 and regularly holds events, including happy hours and discussions of publishing trends. And the judges in the Ed2010 national chapter also appreciated the group’s connection to Drake’s Ed on Campus group.

ED2010 in Des Moines is headed by Drake grad Renee Freemon Mulvihill (’96), one of the founders of the national group.

DEAR PEP: Should I Go To Grad School?

2009-04-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am planning on going to graduate school to make me more qualified (and desirable) in such abysmal times. I have also thought about teaching journalism at college one day as well. Regardless, I am interested in attending a graduate school that will advance my skills, boost my resume, and prepare me for the future.

In all honesty, is a Master’s in Communications a truly beneficial addition formy career in magazine journalism--or is it not needed?

I would appreciate a realistic list of graduate schools I should apply for. I would also just like to discuss the preparation needed for the GRE and applying to schools in general. It seems like most deadlines for application are next winter. —Drake junior

DEAR JUNIOR

Realistically, a graduate degree seldom helps you unless it is in something that expands your B.A. (Or if you have a B.A. in sociology or something similar and want to get up to speed.) You could make important contacts in graduate school, which could help your job prospects. Still, you could get the same from an entry level job. Employers will hire you for what you can do for them, not for the degree you hold.

As for suggestions, you have a great many excellent schools to choose from. For master’s that offer additional journalism preparation, I would start with Columbia, Berkeley and Northwestern.The M.S. At Columbia is highlypractical and has some great opportunities in new media work, but much of it repeats what we do at Drake. And Northwestern's graduate program is also sort of redundant of what you will already have done at Drake, especially in magazines, but their Integrated Marketing Communications program does provide you with a difference perspective and could broaden your horizons. Berkeley is also very pragmatic.

If, however, you want to teach, I would suggest biting the bullet and getting a Ph.D. I am not convinced good teachers need a Ph.D., but many schools require it. Fortunately, Drake does not.

For a Ph.D., I would consider some of the biggies:The University of North Carolina, Stanford, Columbia, Ohio State, the University of Illinois. Missouri offers an integrated Ph.D/law program that is sort of intriguing.

Application deadlines vary, but most are in the winter. The best prep for the GRE is to sleep well the night before. There are preparation programs, some online, but I doubt you need that. You might revisit some math problems, as that is what usually kills journalism students.

I repeat, though, if you want to be a practicing journalist, grad school is not really the route to take. There will be entry level jobs for you out there. The field will be competitive in this economy, but a Drake education will prepare you well.

Don't head to grad school out of fear.

DEAR PEP: Can I Trust a Grant-Funded Job?

2009-04-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

The job search is starting to be a bit more fruitful. I had an interview last week that I felt hopeful about and I have one lined up at a local university next week, for an academic journal. It would be super convenient commute-wise and I'd get the benefits of working at a university, but the only thing that worries me is the disclaimer they put on the position listing, which reads:

"This position is funded by an external grant source. If the grant terminates for any reason, or if the grant funding is lost or reduced for any reason, employment with the university will be immediately discontinued."

Is this standard or common at academic journals and publications? Is it worrisome? I realize trade and consumer magazines are in similar situations right now but don't have the guts to advertise that in a job posting. And no publication is 100 percent stable, so I get that. But should I beware? Hopefully it's not as stark as it sounds, and i appreciate their being upfront. —Hopeful About the Search

DEAR HOPEFUL

The grant could last forever; it could be gone in a few months. That’s pretty much the same thing you could say about many media outlets, as you say. It sounds like an excellent opportunity, and I would embrace it enthusiastically, for as long as it might last. You will be gaining excellent experience and contacts. Increasingly, university programs are funded by outside sources, so this is pretty common. Good luck.

Michelle Obama: One-Woman Cure for Magazine Woes?

2009-04-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

Will Michelle Obama save the magazine industry? Check out Gawker's take. She and her husband the president upped People's February 2 single copy sales by 38 percent. Oprah's first-ever shared cover, with Michelle, brought in 25 percent more readers. It's no surprise that Michelle improved Essence readership--but by 83 percent? Wow! New York's Michelle cover, though, added nada--zero additional readers. How and why people respond to magazine covers has always been somewhat mysterious. Yet Jackie O and Princess Di were best-selling favorites. Is our new first lady following in that same tradition? Publishers sure hope so.

Drake's Tanner Stransky On NYC TV

2009-04-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

Our own Tanner Stransky (05) was the guest on Good Day New York April 8, talking about American Idol contestants. Savvy, cool, and looking great. Tanner was recently promoted to correspondent for Entertainment Weekly.

Drake's Wendy Naugle Back on the Today Show

2009-03-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

Wendy Naugle ('96), deputy editor of Glamour magazine , was on the Today Show again yesterday, March 24. Watch her here.

It was all part of Glamour's report on "7 Decades of Wacky Diet Trends," which includes smoking and drinking massive amounts of lemonade. As Wendy says, here's what works to lose weight: a healthy diet and exercise.

Selling Yourself in a Tough Job Market: Free Workshop at Drake

2009-03-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

You—Only Better:
Selling Yourself in a Tough Job Market

This one-hour workshop will help you learn to think like an entrepreneur and sell your expertise in today’s evolving media market.

We'll talk about:

• You As A Brand: Evaluating your strengths and finding your niche.

• New Media Networking: How and why to network online.

• Thinking Beyond Your Borders: Re-envisioning yourself. Rethinking who is a client and how to find people who need you.

PRESENTER: Claire Celsi, Account Supervisor, Integer Group

April 18
10 a.m.

106 Meredith Hall
Drake University
Free, no preregistration necessary

Presented by
Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies

Magazine Publishing: Ad Pages Down for the Biggies

2009-03-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

In "Ad Blues: Major Mag Publishers Endured Tough Winter," Eris Sass writes in Media Daily News:

Everybody knows it's been a rough couple of years for big magazine publishers--and it's only getting rougher, according to TNS Media Intelligence's Group Publishers' report for January-February, which totals up the ad pages for the industry's top players. That means double-digit drops almost across the board--and we're not talking low double-digits either. Read the entire thing.

Expert advice: long blogs

2009-03-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Always write short for the web? Andrew Romano, senior writer for Newsweek.com, says that's bad advice. "I wrote really long blog posts and ignored that advice," he said. "When you do a blog, you have to do what you're passionate about. Readers didn't mind going beyond two paragraphs."

Romano was quoted during Min's Best of the Web awards, where his Stumper was honored as Best Consumer Blog.

DEAR PEP: Do I Shelve My Ethics to Get a Job?

2009-03-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

The job search has been painfully slow, but I finally got a request for an in-person interview (up until now they've all been phone interviews first). In the job listing, the company describes itself as an "advertising-driven b-to-b publisher." Could be a red flag, or it could be their way of saying they do custom publishing (right?). I can't find anything about them elsewhere on the web so I checked the Mediabistro forums, where the consensus seemed to be that they're a vanity publishing company where editors spend a lot of time interviewing potential cover story companies and then solicit their vendor lists for advertising purposes. Another person said they only pay freelancers 16 cents a word. This kind of thing drove me nuts on one of my trade mags, as you may remember. But even then, the publisher only asked that I make a list of any of the equipment manufacturers I saw during plant tours. He then, of course, would go to those companies and try to get ads.

So, knowing this going in, would it be kosher to ask about their practices during an interview? And if I ended up working there, is it unethical to assuage my guilt by using the economy and unemployment as an excuse? I'm not worried about the company being on my resume in the future -- I'm sure journalism recruiters understand that in times like this, people have to take what they have to do to be employed. What say you? I can always job hunt again if I'm unhappy there.

Some friends have recommended going for it anyway and if it turns out being what I think it is, just leapfrog elsewhere. But I promised myself that since I was miserable where I was, my next job would have to be a good one, and not to accept the first thing that came along. But who can afford that...COBRA's expensive! On the other hand, the bad economy could make the sales staff more ruthless and aggressive in terms of selling editorial. And if you tried to fight it, you'd be the first to go in layoffs. So. I still don't know! — On the Hunt for Magazine Employment

DEAR HUNT: This is a tricky one.

First, of course it is kosher to ask about their practices during the interview. Interviews have several functions. When we are on the job search, we often think only of what we can do to impress the employer. In fact, we also need to be doing significant research to see if this is a place where we could be comfortable and thrive, a place that would not only benefit from our talents, but help build them.

You need to know if you can do the job they ask. That’s a different issue from whether you should do the job. Can you see yourself doing this work? Do you see yourself meeting the company’s overall goals? If not, you might have to pragmatically turn it down, as you don’t see yourself succeeding there.

The hardest part of this situation, of course, is the risk to your ethics of needing to work. I worry that this economy can give unethical employers the license to take advantage of employees, asking them to do too much, to do work that is ethically iffy, to accept the normally unacceptable.

That’s why I start with a pragmatic answer. If this job requires you to be an advertising broker, you might simply not be able to do that.

The ethical answer, as usual, is more slippery. What happens if you think this could work, but it makes you uneasy? My answer there is that it will not work. I think you can stretch your morals only so far before they break and something important within you breaks along the way. The implications of this are that you not only hurt your moral standing in your own eyes, but you become a lesser employee for ethical publishers.

I am seriously uneasy about anybody ever taking a job just because they need the work. I see that as a failure waiting to happen. Yes, the opportunities right now might seem highly limited, but look for the long term. Will this job help you get where you want when the sun again shines on the economy (and it will), or will it hinder you from achieving your ultimate goals?

Look at this as a marriage. Would you jump at marrying that jerk you met in a bar just because you’re tired of being single? I seriously hope not. Nor would you stay in an abusive relationship. Working at Barnes and Noble and freelancing on the side is better than working full-time at a job that hurts you.

That said, your interview might demonstrate that all those things you read on the Internet are wrong (Imagine that happening!) and the place looks good. But ask the hard questions, don’t settle for glib answers, and talk to as many employees as possible. Ask about payment to writers. Sixteen cents a word is a huge red flag. Definitely check that one out.

Don’t play Mike Wallace—remain professional and polite, but remember your reportorial skills. Look at their products. Do you want your name on their masthead? Do you think they have promise and offer you an opportunity? These are the questions you ask no matter the economy.

Advice on the Application Letter

2009-03-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

Job hunters, here's some good advice on cover letters from The New York Times job coach. It covers how to organize, write, and even attach the letter. Its focus is on electronic applications, which are quickly becoming the norm.

Having just chaired a search committee, it is apparent to me that folks at all levels need to take letters more seriously.

I also wrote about how to write a letter of application in an earlier post.

New Media Tools for Journalists--What I Learned

2009-02-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

"Google is the new resume; your URL is the new business card," said Andy Drish as we began talking about blogs. Andy and Mike Sansone of Converstations.com were part of the A Journalist's Guide to New Media workshop at Drake University February 28, 2009. Earlier, Nathan Wright of Lava.row and Chris Snider of the Des Moines Register offered insight on this rapidly evolving field, including these points:

Google.docs can help keep documents organized online. I work on three computers, so I can put all my documents together in cyberspace. I suppose they're safe unless cyberspace crashes.

Registering your blog at technorati.com can help you get more readers.

www.helpareporter.com is a clearing house that connects reporters and sources. Not sure of this one. I am unconvinced that this is the way to find experts for my health articles.

If your pix are on something like Flickr.com, you can edit them online are picnik.com or photoshop.com. Wonder why Photo Shop is free here?

Pageflakes is a great way to organize all your information.

You can use Simplynoise.com to add white noise on your computer in a noisy office. Cool.

Rememberthemilk.com helps you make personal lists and, presumably, follow them.

CJR to Study Print Magazines' Web Cousins

2009-02-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

“It’s like the Wild West out there. Each magazine is making it up as it goes along, and nobody knows what anybody else is doing:” Victor Navasky, chairman of the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR).

Navasky has announced that CJR is undertaking a major study to analyze print magazines' online practices and develop best-practice guidelines. Read the story here.

The survey will include:

• Who manages the site's editorial focus — the editor of the print magazine, or the editor of the Web site?
• Free material — how much content is given away for free, and how much is behind a paywall?
• Which magazines include materials from the print magazine completely and which add new material?
• By what percentage?

The Magazine Industry is Alive and Well...at Least Some Parts of It

2009-02-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

Magazines are dying? Tell that to these start-ups that are testing the media waters in mid-recession.

The newest display in the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies features these 2009 premiere issues, plus samples of 2008 start-ups:

PREMIERE ISSUES

BEST YOU: This magazine premiered with the February/March 2009 issue. It offers a healthy road to health, including “Beautiful Skin the Fast and Natural Way” and “Better Sex Tonight.” Natural Cosmo?

BLACK HEALTH: The December 2008 premiere issue says “Yes You Can! Avoid Weight Gain this Holiday Season.” Plus the standard anti-aging secrets and how to avoid weight gain.

SANDRA LEE SEMI-HOMEMADE: So, what does the “semi” mean here? Cooking with mixes but adding your own style, ala the Food Network’s Sandra Lee. We have the February/March 2009 premiere.

ORGANIC BEAUTY. February 2009 is the magazine’s premier issue, with the tagline: “green. natural. ecofriendly.” Olivia Wilde, from TV’s “House” is the cover model, offering “Natural Beauty Secrets.” No advice on dealing on air with a crazy man, apparently.

CULTURE. All about cheese—seriously—this magazine’s tagline is “the word on cheese.” The premiere issue, Winter 08, covers cheese desserts, Irish cheese arisans and San Franciso’s cheese trail.

2008 STARTS:

THE AMERICAN DOG: Hey, people love their animals and will spend their limited resources to make sure Bowser is in good shape. We have the Winter, 2009 issue, with—of course—President Obama on the cover holding a hypoallergenic pup.

BEER: We might have cut down on martinis, but cut out beer—never! We have the March/April 2009 issue, which is the magazine’s 9th. It features beer reviews, with a cover story on the “Irish Twins:” Guinness and Beamish. Mmmmmmm. Beer…..

FOOD NETWORK MAGAZINE. This publication offers you the chance to “Cook Like a Star,” with ideas from the network’s Bobby Flay, Sandra Lee and Guy Fieri. We have the February/March 2009 issue.

Doublecheck Before You Click

2009-02-20T06:31:00.000-08:00

"The rush to post is no excuse for jettisoning journalistic standards:" The American Journalism Review.

The editor and publisher of the American Journalism Review, Rem Rieder, has a timely essay on how the impulse to publish online now can hurt journalistic standards, especially accuracy. "The Internet, like newspapers and television and radio, is a platform. It is a very exciting platform. But that's all it is. Journalism remains journalism, no matter how it is disseminated. Standards matter. Accuracy matters. Context matters," Rieder says. Read it here.

On a side note, I misspelled Rieder's name in my original draft of this. Yoi!

America is Tweeting

2009-02-20T06:27:00.000-08:00

In December 2008, 11 percent of online American adults reported using Twitter or another service that allowed them to share updates about themselves or to see the updates of others, according to research from the Pew Research Center. The was a consistent increase from previous months: In November 2008, 9 percent of internet users used Twitter or updated their status online and in May 2008, the figure was 6 percent. Could be an effect of the economy, with folks networking online. Read the entire piece here.

Vibe Cuts Costs Without Cutting People

2009-02-13T19:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a way to attack a slowing magazine economy while keeping your staff intact. In addition to being humane, it's good long-term planning—your staff remains on board and ready for a rebound.

Vibe is:
• reducing frequency from monthly to 10 times yearly;
• reducing the rate base from 800,000 to 600,000;
• implementing a four-day work week at 10-15-percent lower pay so that all employees can keep their jobs.

Good for Vibe!

A Journalist's Guide to New Media Conference at Drake

2009-02-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

A Journalist’s Guide to New Media
February 28, 2009
Meredith Hall, Room 104, Drake University
Sponsored by the Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies

New and evolving media tools have changed how journalists research, network with other professionals and clients, and even manage job searches. This one-day workshop shows how to use tools such as RSS feeds, Twitter, blogs, wikis, Facebook, Linked In, and Google alerts to get a job, improve your journalistic skills, expand your freelance opportunities and, most important, become a better communicator.

Cost: $50, includes coffee reception and lunch. Pay at the door. Checks payable to Drake University

To register: Contact Shari Tenney in the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication, shari.tenney@drake.edu or 271-3194. Limited number of seats available.

For more information: Contact Patricia Prijatel, director, E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies, patricia.prijatel@drake.edu

8-9:30: Coffee Reception

8:30-10:30: Your New Media Tool Kit: Chris Snider, Des Moines Register
30 online tools every journalist and professional communicator needs to know about.

10:30-12:30: Using the Tools: Chris Snider, Des Moines Register
A hands-on workshop on efficiently using and organizing online information with RSS Feeds, Google Alerts, and other online tools

12:30-1: Lunch break

1-3: Social Media: Nathan Wright of Lava Row
A hands-on workshop on getting the most out of social media—Twitter, wikis, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Using the tools to link effectively with clients, other professionals, and potential employers.

3-3:15: Break

3:15-5:00: Blogging: Mike Sansone, converstations.com
A hands-on workshop on creating your own blog.

DEAR PEP: How do I explain being laid off?

2009-01-28T14:24:00.000-08:00

DEAR PEP:
I just found out that I got laid off a couple of hours ago. And here’s my question: I'd been applying for other jobs since November because of my "Devil Wears Prada" boss. One of those companies is a health care industry custom publishing company in town. Had a really, really good phone interview and completed an editing test way before it was due. I told them my current company was kind of on shaky ground and that I was conflicted about all the ad-driven editorial. I emailed them Friday morning, before I found out about our layoffs, under the premise of seeing whether they needed references, etc. They wrote back saying they were still in the interviewing process (if I was out of the running, I figured they might not reply).

The company was going to be hiring several editors and told me they wanted to fill the positions ASAP because they're growing quickly,etc. Would it help or hinder if I emailed them to tell them about the layoffs? Being that I'm local and available immediately, would that work in my favor? Or might they think I'm less competent since I was laid off (even though they knew that there is turmoil within my company)? —Among the newly unemployed

Dear Among: Given that you just emailed them on Friday, I would leave them alone for a while. You already expressed your interest, did well in interviews, and they know you are local and the benefits that means. And, yes, their reply that they are still in the process likely means you are still in the running. I would be aggressive in the pursuit of other opportunities,though. Sadly, right now this is a buyer's market.

Lots of great people have been laid off and most employers understand that, so being out of a job right now really does not mean what it once did. And, when it is time to talk with a potential employer about your status, simply say, "I was one of 25 laid off at Bonehead Publishing." Don't apologize or overexplain. It's a fact, not a fault.

DEAR PEP: Thanks. I've been thinking of starting an unemployment blog (there's shockingly few of them it seems) for recently laid off writers, or creatives of any stripe.

A friend and I have often compared the job-seeking process to dating books like "The Rules" and "He's Just Not That Into You." You have to seem interested, but not TOO interested, which leaves you playing hard-to-get. And if the first interview is like the first date, you
have to make a good impression, but you can't pester your date/HR person in following it up. And sometimes you have to do what I just did, which was find somebody to talk me out of sending another email (or text or phone call in the dating realm). Then, getting laid off is the equivalent of getting divorced -- once you're back out there
looking, you've got baggage to disguise.

Hmm...I think I just wrote myself an outline for a self-help book!

Remind me to ask you later how not to burn bridges during a recession.

Need a Job? Check out Drake Media Gigs

2009-01-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

A note from members of the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication Junior National Advisory Council:

Looking for a job? Tips on updating your "new media" skills? An opportunity for professional networking? A chance to help Drake journalism students launch their own careers?

The J-School's Jr. National Advisory Council is excited to announce

www.DrakeMediaGigs.Wordpress.com - a forum where we'll be posting career opportunities submitted by members of the Drake alumni family and of the professional media community.

We realized the need for such a site after discussing the frustrations of both job seekers and alumni with job opportunities. It's clear that Drake professionals are out there looking for talented people to hire - both for internships and full-time positions - but don't have an easy way to announce the openings to the Drake journalism community specifically.

We hope to meet that need.

In addition, we will use the site to post job-hunting tips and links to media career resources, as well as information about job fairs, skills workshops and other tools you can use to jump-start your professional lives.

For example, the SJMC is currently planning a series of workshops on campus this spring, aimed both at graduating seniors and area professionals seeking to ensure they have the skills necessary to compete in this challenging media environment.

If you're interested in hearing about these opportunities, simply sign up to receive updates via e-mail by clicking here.

Or via RSS updates by clicking here.

It's all free and we won't use your e-mail for any purpose other than to send you updates.

And remember that we're just getting started, so please be patient while we get the word out and work out any kinks as we get the site off the ground. We're also open to ideas, questions and suggestions - submit those to drakemediagigs@gmail.com.

DEAR PEP: How Long Should A Resume Be?

2009-01-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

DEAR PEP: When, if ever, is it acceptable for one's résumé to make the jump to a second page? I thought this was a career "don't" in most situations, but I'm currently reviewing résumés for an open position in my company and am surprised by how many two-page résumés I'm seeing! And from people who've been out in the "real world" for less time than I have. Has the standard changed? -Alum who is actually hiring people

Dear Hiring Alum: Yes, the rule had been to keep it to one page and that is still the ideal, but because people move around so much now--sometimes whether they want to or not--you can no longer always get all the job details on one page. Still, employers are in a hurry and more overworked than ever, so don't waste time with filler information. Some tips:

• Get to the point. Include only relevant experience and skills. If you are on your second job, cut the fact that you edited the college magazine.

• There is no need to explain what you did on specific jobs, unless it is unique to the position. An editorial assistant needs no explanation unless you also managed photo shoots or wrote major features. In general, you just need: Employer, job title, dates you were there.

• Full addresses of employers is no longer needed. Just include the city.

• Keep the type size readable. It's better to go to a second page than to cut your type down to 9 pt. Some faces, though, fit more words, so experiment. For example, Garamond goes almost 20 percent farther than Arial. ( I typed an 8-word sentence in both faces at 12 pt. The Arial line was two words longer than the Garamond. Go ahead and critique my math.)

• Don't list references. Say only "references available upon request."

• Your accompanying letter is a vital supplement. This is where you fill in the gaps, add perspective, detail, and personality. Check my post on writing a letter of application.

• Don't take up precious space with an overblown logo for yourself. Make it comprehensive, clear, and readable.

Alums on camera

2008-12-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

Magazine alums are comfortable in video format. Wendy Naugle (’96) was on the Today show December 15, comfortably telling Al Roker how to make smart choices with Christmas eating. Wendy was amazing, of course. Even made Al laugh. And gave great information.

Meanwhile, Abbey Klaasen (’02) introduces the “3-Minute Ad Age,” a daily video news show on adage.com. Abbey is the cool, crisp, lively anchor of the program. My favorite was the December 5 segment with NBC’s Brian Williams who spoofs new media hype.

Nice work, Wendy and Abbey.

Time's Top Ten Magazine Covers of 2008

2008-12-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

In what so far appears to be a successful attempt to appeal to every magazine junkie in the country, Time has selected the top ten magazine covers of 2008.

Writer Arthur Hochstein offers a background and an interpretive narrative on each selection. Cover number one was The New Yorker, November 17, 2008. Number four is Entertainment Weekly's delightful parody of The New Yorker's controversial Barry Blitt cover showing the Obama fist bump. Number seven is Interview's September 2008, a glittery pop-art illustration of Kate Moss.

We have the EW and Interview covers in the Center's current display in Meredith 111.

Waste trees; save your career

2008-12-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

A recent grad shared the following experience and thought the rest of you might benefit from her perspective:

As a research editor, I fact-check articles, making sure everything is fair and accurate. I've learned that the best way to communicate changes or concerns to editors is usually through e-mail. Why? Because then there's a written record that I've done my job. If I tell an editor something really important over the phone, but it doesn't get changed for whatever reason, there's no record of that phone call. If there's any issues, I'm left stammering to my boss, "I swear I told the editor about this. Really." I've become a little insane about my e-mail habits: I save or "bcc" myself on almost everything now. Furthermore, I print out e-mails that are especially important and put them in my file for whatever story I'm working on.

This all sounds super paranoid, right? But honestly, if something goes wrong and an editor doesn't want to look bad, guess who's a really easy scapegoat? The young, fresh-out-of-college fact-checker. It sucks, but it happens.

And it almost happened to me earlier this week. Two editors called me down to talk about a story. I grabbed that story folder and headed into the office, and they started being all like, "Why didn't you tell us about XYZ earlier? Why is this just coming up now?" And I very calmly said, "I sent you an e-mail about that a week and a half ago." Blank stares. So I opened my story folder, and—this was so awesome—a copy of that e-mail just happened to be the very first thing in the folder. I whipped it out, set it in front of them, and then they were the ones left stammering. Bam! Awesomeness. I tried really hard not to gloat as one of them was muttering, "Oh, yeah, um, I must not have read this carefully at the time." Later the other one sent me an e-mail to apologize.

Would it have been as effective if I didn't have a hard copy of that e-mail? No. So I'll keeping using up paper and killing trees as long as that habit keeps saving my ass in ridiculous situations like the one above. And this comes in handy in other situations besides fact-checking. If you're writing an article or helping to set up a photo shoot, it's nice to have the instructions and later communications in writing, just in case there's any confusion later on. Sometimes after a meeting or lengthy phone call, I'll type up the summary and e-mail it to the editor with a note like: "Just want to make sure we're on the same page here and I'm understanding everything."

The only exception to my e-mail rule is if the information is legally sensitive. If I write something in an e-mail that says, "I don't think we should print this because it could be libelous for x, y, z reasons," that e-mail could be used against me and my company in court if we got sued for that story. Even if I didn't save or print it and everyone I sent it to deleted it right away, it lives on in the company's server. E-mails can never be completely destroyed, so I always have a verbal conversation with editors about legally sensitive matters.

Fun stuff, right? But you'll be surprised by how professional little things like this can make you look.

Hands on progress

2008-11-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

On the heels of the passage of Proposition 8 in California, coverage has focused on our lack of progress on giving equal rights to gays and lesbians. It may be good, though, to see how far we have come. The covers here give some perspective.

The first two, ten years apart, demonstrate that magazine editors, when faced with the prospect of illustrating gay issues, went no farther than the hands. Be safe. Stick with symbolism, not actual people. Heaven forbid we should look at faces. Time’s cover is from 1979. Newsweek’s is from 1990. Not much progress in the intervening 11 years.

Also, not much originality. At least Newsweek did not ask “How Gay is Gay.”

Fast forward to People magazine August 2008. Look at Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi’s wedding. Faces and everything. Just like real people celebrating their wedding.

Life.com Archive to Launch Soon

2008-11-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Margaret Bourke-White. Alfred Eisenstadt. Gordon Parks. W. Eugene Smith. Those of you familiar with Life magazine know that these are some of that famed magazine's famed photographers. Now you can see their photos and more than ten million images from the Life photo archive. The new Life site--Life.com--Your World in Pictures--will launch in early 2009. It is co-sponsored by Getty Images.

Here's how they're planning to make money from this venture: Images will be directly linked to the sales site QOOP. Getty Images will handle licensing for commercial purposes. So it will be a fun site to browse. And, Time Inc. hopes some of those browsers become buyers.

Time Magazine's FDR/Obama Cover: An Eerie Gimmick

2008-11-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

This cover bothers me. It’s the November 24, 2008 Time magazine, with the cover line, “The New New Deal: What Barrack Obama can learn from F.D.R.—and what the Democrats need to do.” The cover story, “The New Liberal Order,” is by Peter Beinart.

Time’s managing editor Richard Stengel says the story suggests that Obama might restore order in the way FDR did, by forging a liberal majority. “Liberalism is about regulating,” he says.

All that sounds great. I am all for order. I respect FDR. And I respect Obama. So why does this cover bother me so much?

For those of you not glued to cable news and Internet, the cover uses an original image of FDR, with Obama’s face Photoshopped into FDRs.

I find it eerie and a little disrespectful. I am comfortable with the connection—most historians credit FDR with helping to pull us out of the Great Depression. Americans looked to him with hope and supported him by electing him to four terms of office, making him the only president to be elected for more than two terms. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment imposed a two-term limit on the presidency to keep that from happening again.

So the magazine's overt message is solid. It is the image itself I find troubling. It takes our new president-elect, a very serious man, and makes him look a little like a 1930s playboy. In FDRs time, that cigarette holder—or whatever it is—and hat may have looked dapper and sophisticated. Today, they look silly, and they make the president-elect, who has great promise, look a little less than himself.

Photoshopping is a great tool for cleaning up photos. Should it be used to replace one president's face with another on a major magazine? What an odd question to even have to ask. The clear answer to me is: "No." That's a gimmick. It's neither good design nor good journalism. And it certainly is not good photography, if it is photography at all.

Magazine Cover Design: Newsstand vs. Subscription

2008-11-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

Look at how Ladies’ Home Journal changes its cover to appeal to two different audiences: newsstand buyers and subscribers. The cover photo is identical.

The newsstand cover (below) has:
• far more cover lines—on both sides, so it doesn’t matter if other magazines on the newsstand cover the left, right, or even the bottom.
• varied typography, both in color and size. The giant “Paula Deen’s Halloween” is designed to grab you from two to three shopping carts away.
• a number—essential, in magazine lore, to grab the reader quickly and to imply value.
• the barcode, which drives art directors nuts. Not the prettiest cover element.

The subscription (above) cover has:
• more subdued typography—the same size, with no giant cover lines.
• an airier look—the buyer has already signed up, so no need to charm her with numbers or multiple sell lines.

Drake Wins Another Pacemaker

2008-11-09T19:22:00.000-08:00

Drake walked away with another Pacemaker this year—for Drake Magazine. The judges were complimentary about Drake Mag, of course, but also made some great comments about Think. You can read details here. Some excerpts:

Drake Magazine, Drake University School of Journalism. Of the many good magazines I saw, this one had a sophistication and comprehension of magazine structure and design that were not equaled elsewhere. The cover, a simple but elegant graphic based on words and a geometric background, was inviting and clear. The index, on a two page spread, echoed the cover graphic, and elegantly presented the total contents — front of the book, well, and back of the book — in clear and size-appropriate order, with the four well stories visually predominant but the other elements quickly grasped, and easily found in the magazine itself. At least one of the well stories was a new and surprising subject to me: diabulemia, in which diabetics forgo insulin injections in order to lose weight. A fashion/cultural comment feature called Girls Gone Mild (a bit of a cliché in a headline these days) was fun and interesting. A piece on on-line universities was informative. And the fourth well piece, on video games, took a sharp look at their impact on study habits. I was especially impressed by the attention given to the front and back of the book sections, and by the elegant transitions between these sections. Bits & Pieces offered cultural observations, a brief book review, news snippets (a story about how hedgehog safety resulted in a safer McFlurry container) and other short items. The back of the book, like the front, featured a number of clever short items under catchy rubrics: Spare Change (stories about personal finance), Folks, Say What (an article about students experimenting with a robot baby, as a family planning exercise). Photographs throughout were fine, though this was not the magazine’s strongest element. But altogether a really impressive effort, beautifully designed, with a coherent clear editorial mission.

Think. Drake University. There were three good entries from Drake, but I was impressed by the unabashed advocacy in this one. The issue includes a surprisingly opinionated editorial letter on the need for America to get back in touch with the world. This viewpoint is carried out in the articles, book reviews, short takes on consumer buying and global responsibility. It’s not to everyone’s political taste, but I admired the forthrightness of it.

Obama on Time and Newsweek

2008-11-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

Here's the first of the historic covers.

Tina Fey and John McCain in Life Magazine: 2004

2008-10-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Life magazine editors in 2004 had an eye for a political pair--they put John McCain and Tina Fey on the October 15 issue that year. (At the time, Life was published as a newspaper supplement, one of its many incarnations in a long history.) The cover line: "Why We're Voting: Inside the booth, with Tina Fey, John McCain, Manny Ramirez, Andre 3000 and other upstanding citizens." In her interview, Fey says she is a registered independent and, when asked her preference for Bush or Kerry, she notes, " Comedians should keep it to themselves so they can make jokes about everyone." Prescient, Tina. And McCain says his daughter was irate with him for endorsing George Bush in the 2004 Presidential election. "I've never been so angry at you," she told him. Prescient as well.

The cover caption reads, "Fey straightens out McCain."

One big difference between Fey and McCain's current running mate, Sarah Palin: wardrobe. Tina is wearing jeans and a blazer that, while they look great, were probably not part of a $150,000 outlay.

How To Write a Letter of Application

2008-10-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had a chance to read letters of application from several talented students. They did quite a few things right; they did a few things wrong. Let’s talk about both.

Salutation
When you are applying for a job, don’t get too cozy. Never use a person’s first name unless that person suggests it.

Use the proper prefix. I am not Mrs. Prijatel—I am, indeed, married, but I do not have my husband’s name. Students have it easy with me and could simply call me Professor Prijatel. In other instances, use the safe route and go with Ms. or Mr.

What do you do with a person with a name like Dana? Or what happens when this current crop of Dakotas and Taylors gets into the workplace? Take advantage of the wonders of Google and look the person up. Chances are great you will find a gender-specific reference. Look at the organization’s website and you might find a photo there.

Information
Make sure you give enough contact information—address, phone number, email address.

How to Start It

Don't begin with "My name is...." I will see that in your contact information. Start with, "I am applying for the position of blankety blank, which you advertised in the Des Moines Register. I believe I am the right candidate for the job." Don't tell me you "would like to apply." Just apply.

List Your Qualifications

Tell me what you can do for me, not what I can do for you. Give me your credentials and show how you can make my life easier.

Details
Edit your letter and then edit it and edit again. It should have no errors.

How to End it
Let the potential employer know where, how and when to contact you. And make sure you are accessible. You can also include a line such as “I will contact you later this week to see if you need additional information.” And then contact them ever so politely, with a well- written email or a highly professional phone call.

And remember: Always put your best foot forward for even the most mediocre jobs. You’re making a contact and contacts build networks, which lead to jobs.

Format
It is easiest to use block format—everything flush left:

Your name
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone number
Email address

Dear Ms. Whozywhatsit:

I am applying for the position of blankety blank, which you advertised in Sunday's Des Moines Register. I believe I am the right candidate for the job.

Give your qualifications. Offer details and examples.

Tie your qualifications to the job.

End with a note that reiterates your interest in the job. Consider offering to contact them within a week or so.

Sincerely,

(Your signature here. And remember to sign it.)

Ima Napplicant

“Monetize” Should Not Be A Word

2008-10-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

Merriam Webster lists this fingernails-on-the-chalkboard word as a transitive verb originating around 1879. Nearly 140 years ago some clown began talking about monetizing whale bones or some fool thing. Modern clowns are talking about monetizing Internet content or other fool things. It should stop. This is an awful word.

DEAR PEP: How High Should I Aim In My Job Hunt?

2008-09-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

DEAR PEP: I am graduating soon and am starting to look for a job. (In this economy, wish me luck.) My question, though, is at what level should I aim? I was a Meredith apprentice my junior year and had an internship in New York the summer between my junior and senior years. I am now freelancing at Meredith. I held various editorial positions on Drake Magazine for three years, and am an editor on 515 this year. —GRAD TO BE

DEAR GRAD: You’ve prepared yourself well for a competitive market. Editors today do not have the time to train young editors—they need people to jump right into their jobs. Your Meredith and New York experience sets you apart from most new grads. You’ve already proven yourself at the editorial assistant level, so look for assistant editor jobs. Those often require 3-5 years experience, but folks with fewer years out of school often snag those jobs if their school years were as productive as yours have been.

It is essential though, that your letter immediately prove that you are already a professional, so the HR person who filters these things doesn’t throw you into the “no” pile as too inexperienced. Explain what you did at Meredith and in New York. Be specific. Show don’t tell. Start with an anecdote about being on a photo shoot or having to bat out a last-minute article when the page count changed.

Recognize, however, that New York magazines might be less receptive to your years of experience than good old Des Moines and they might expect you to start as an editorial assistant editor, no matter what. So don’t ignore those jobs if you’re heading to the big city.

Your best bet is to contact your old employers and let them know you are graduating and would love to be a full-timer. It startles me how many new grads assumes people already know this. Editors are busy. You need to remind them you’re out there and eager to join their staff.

And good luck. Yes, this is not the best time to hunt for a job. You might have to be more aggressive and plaster the world with your resume more thoroughly than you would have had to a few years ago. You have a great portfolio, though, and a huge edge over other new grads.

Drake's Magazines Once Again Finalists

2008-09-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

Of the 18 national Pacemaker finalists, two are from Drake--Think and Drake magazine. The Pacemaker is the Associated Collegiate Press's top award--its equivalent of an Oscar. Go, Drake. And congratulations to the staffs of these two quality publications. See all the winners here.

Shut Your Motor While Kissing

2008-09-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

Where is a woodburning editing tool when you need one? This sign is at the entrance to Old Faithful Inn, but signs like it are all over Yellowstone National Park. Either they have a real problem with folks smooching with their engines on, or somebody needs to learn to spell.

Recent Grads Find Jobs

2008-08-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

Editor and Publisher reports that, even in an uncertain economy and with significant layouts throughout the media, recent journalism grads are, indeed, finding satisfying jobs. The story reports data from a University of Georgia study that indicates a healthy job market for newbies. I am wondering who is studying how well more seasoned folks are doing--those in their 40s and 50s. Are media cuts hitting them harder? Anecdotal evidence points to a resounding "yes" to that question. Does anybody know of hard numbers on that?

Drake Tops First Batch of Student Magazine Awards

2008-07-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Drake-produced student magazines were winners in the annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass communication Student Magazine Contest:

•Think won first place in General Excellence.

•Think won second place for Editorial

•515 won third for Editorial.

•515, Think and Drake Magazine all tied for second place in design. (Odd, huh?)

•Chelsea Hottovy won second place for a Service and Information Article for "How to Act
Swell in Every Situation" in 515.

All winners will eventually be online. . I will post a link when that happens. Awards will be given at the AEJMC annual convention in August

News of the Magazine Sequence

2008-07-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have received emails from several alums asking what is happening in the magazine sequence at Drake, so I ‘m doing my own news release here.

Angela Renkoski has left Drake to move to California to be closer to her sons. Some of you have wondered what this means to the sequence, given my retirement. Never fear. It is in good hands and the future is looking rosy.

Lori Blachford, who took over for me when I became director, will be a full-time faculty member for the 2008-09 school year. She will continue shepherding 515 Magazine and teaching magazine writing and will also take over as coordinator of the Meredith Service Journalism Apprenticeship Program. Lori was previously managing editor of Country Home magazine, so her Meredith roots are solid. She had been teaching part-time so she could finish Drake’s new Master of Communication Leadership degree.

Jeff Inman, who has taught JMC120, magazine freelance writing, for four semesters, will also teach magazine courses full-time for the 2008-09 school year. Jeff is a freelance magazine writer who just completed a Master of Arts in Education degree at Drake.

And Jill Van Wyke now teaches JMC91, magazine editing, plus a section of the capstone course, which produces Think Magazine. (Both are cross-listed with news-Internet courses.) Lori, Jeff, and Jill are all excellent teachers. Students consistently rank them as some of the best in the J-School.

I will also return part-time for the year, as director of the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies. In addition, I will chair the search committee to find permanent replacements for Angela and me and will do some fundraising. I will also be on hand to help Lori and Jeff in whatever ways they need. This will be a one-third appointment. I am looking forward to being back in the thin of things.

In terms of fundraising, we’ll have more information on how some of that is going, but the sequence is looking great, with some new financial support, plus the steady and welcome help from Meredith Corporation at the E.T. Meredith family.

Google 1, Print 0

2008-06-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, Scott Karp, of Publishing 2.0, posted a discussion on the disconnect between magazines and the Web, telling a story about chasing an online piece published in The Atlantic. It is funny, but sad, demonstrating how even our best print publications have a wobbly relationship with their Web sites. I suspect many of you will relate. Publishing 2.0, as a whole, is fun reading. As is The Atlantic. (The article Scott was pursuing is "Is Google Making Us Stupid?")

Jobs for Recent Grads, Seasoned Pros

2008-06-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

I just received this from min (Media Industries Newsletter) and thought I would pass it on. Let me know if it works/has glitches/whatever. PEP

Recent Graduates :
Ready to show the Media Industry that you are the next big thing? Then visit min's Job Center today and have your resume placed at the finger tips of the best Media employers!

Employers/Recruiters:
Be the first to find highly qualified recent graduates by posting your openings on the min Career job board. Resumes are being updated everyday!
Special Savings: Post your entry level job today using the promotional code "Grad", and save 15%!

For more information, contact Job Board Coordinator Rachel Smar at 301-354-1613.

Check out these top listings:

Art Director, Traditional Home, Meredith Corporation
Manager of Events Marketing, TechInsights (a division of United Business Media)
Manager, Digital Media, Verizon
Plans Merchandiser - Magazine Division, Hanley Wood LLC
Regional Sales Manager, Ziff Davis Enterprise
Business Manager - Fiber Division, Interweave
Audience Development/Circulation Manager, Crain Communications
Online Editor, Advertising Specialty Institute
VP, Editorial Director, PC WORLD

Dear PEP: Portfolio and Emailed Samples: Should They Be the Same?

2008-06-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

I’ve landed myself an interview for an associate art director position. I am stoked, as I have been wanting to get back into magazines, and this is my first portfolio showing. What are your thoughts as far as what I should present in the printed portfolio in comparison to the e-mailed work samples? Do you think they're expecting entirely new content or do they mostly want to discuss what they've seen and, when applicable, review it in its printed & bound form? —Looking for Work in All the Right Places

Dear Looking: If you have any excellent additional samples, include them in the portfolio. But if what you already emailed is your best work, just go in with the printed versions and let them digest those. You are right that they will be ready to talk about the whys and hows of what you already sent. Never add samples just for bulk—only include top-notch work. And good luck. PEP

Negotiating: Silence Can Be Golden

2008-06-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

There’s a basic rule of negotiating that the person who speaks first loses. For example, you’re offered a job at $75,000, and that sounds like a salary you could be more than happy with. Don’t jump right in and accept it. Be quiet for a bit. You might say something like “Uh, huh,” with a pensive intonation, just to be polite and let them know you heard them. In some cases, if the person offering the job really wants you, the silence might make him uncomfortable and he might fill the void with something beautiful like, “We could, of course, look at the benefits package and see what we could do there.” If, however, they also know about the keep-quiet rule or they’re not that needy, they can wait you out. At that point, start talking and go ahead and accept.

Still, it is worth trying. The silence should be only a few seconds.

Silence is no benefit, however, If the offer does not meet your requirements in terms of salary, benefits, job duties, or anything else. In that case, you have to speak up and make your terms known. Preface your requests with something like “I am really interested in this job” or “I was impressed with your company,” or “I enjoyed meeting with you and your staff and I think I would enjoy working with you.” Then add the “but….”

“As you know, I am making $75,000 now and would really need more incentive to move.”

“That’s quite a bit less than I had been expecting.”

“I was hoping to be president, so I am not sure I can accept the vice-presidency.”

If you cannot negotiate a higher salary, see if you can talk about benefits—more vacation, flexible hours, 401K additions.

Silence can help with other negotiations as well. Say you are at an impasse with your boss on whether an article idea is strong or not. You have made your point. She has made hers. Neither of you is ready to give. Rather than just cave, be quiet and give her a chance to cave first. It can work.

DEAR PEP: Should I start with the Web or print?

2008-05-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

I am graduating in May and planning to work abroad for five months starting in the fall, so I've been applying for internships for the summer until I go. Luckily, I ended up with two choices. I was offered a job at a Web magazine and a city magazine. The Web magazinet seems like a better internship career-wise—it's an editorial internship with lots of writing opportunities and a chance to help with a redesign. The print magazine internship is primarily research and fact-checking.

So, my question is how important do you think the opportunity on the Web is for landing future jobs? I know Web experience is so valuable these days, so I'm having a tough time
deciding. — New Grad

PEP Says: Congratulations on two fabulous opportunities. I do not think you can go wrong in your choice.

The Web is the future. And the thing is, most people in management have no idea what it is or how to use it or why they have it--only that they have to because everybody else does. I think the Web mag would be excellent experience to prepare you for a field that is going to define the future.

The city magazine, however, would also be hard for me to turn down. If I were going to go to a print publication, it would be a city magazine. So that is a fabulous opportunity in a different direction and it will prepare you well in a traditional medium that is, I think, enduring no matter what some pundits say.

I think you need to ask yourself which fits you best. Which gives you entry into a world where you really want to spend your time? Your career is going to go in marvelous directions and you are going to have challenges and opportunities we cannot even imagine now. So go where you think you will have the best opportunity to grow the way you want.

Good luck with the decision. And enjoy your time abroad.

Simple Site

2008-05-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

Kaelin (Tripp) Zawilinski (‘06) recently set up a portfolio site that’s an excellent example of simple yet effective. If you just want to get your clips out there and don't need a whole lot of hullabaloo, check it out. “Because most of my clips are online, I thought this would be a super simple way to show off my work,” Kaelin says. “I just used the iweb program on my mac, bought the URL and then a friend is hosting it for me on his server. It took me about 2 hours to set up.”

Kaelin was recently promoted to Decorating and Crafts Editor at bhg.com.

Esquire Covers At MOMA

2008-05-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

Here's a reason to head to New York's Museum of Modern Art within the next year: "George Lois: The Esquire Covers" will run through March 31, 2009.

George Lois created some of Esquire's most memorable covers—Richard Nixon getting new makeup after his disastrous debate with JFK, who looked cool and calm while Nixon sweated; Svetlana Stalin with a drawn-on mustache; a composite cover of four different versions of heroes (JFK, Castro, Bob Dylan and Malcolm X).

Lois designed 92 covers for the magazine from 1962 to 1972. The exhibit features 32 of them.

Mags launch social and professional networking sites

2008-05-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Forbes magazine online has launched a social network through which you can chat about "any topic from stocks to wine." This comes on the heels of other networking sites in Business Week (tied to LinkedIn) and Fast Company.

Companies use sites like LinkedIn for recruitment for full-time jobs, freelancing, and special consulting. The magazine sites add to the equation by allowing execs and interns alike a place at the virtual table. They also automatically come with the added credibility of the magazine brand.

Writing newsletters online

2008-05-09T10:02:00.001-07:00

Freelancing.com hosts several newsletters related to freelance writing and editing, including the Ed2010 weekly scribble and others from the Poynter Institute and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. It is one-stop shopping for industry news, although the site is annoying, with lots of ads. At least they're not pop ups, though.