From another perspective
I recently had the opportunity to sit in on an editorial staff meeting for the “Georgia Trend” magazine.
I was able to do this because I am member of the GEM program, which pairs a student with a mentor in the “real world.”
The meeting started promptly at 10:30 a.m. The managing editor, executive editor, senior photographer, correspondent, the creative director, and of course, my mentor Neely Young, editor and publisher, attended the meeting. It was a true honor to sit in on an editorial staff meeting.
The staff began by discussing the layout and deadlines of the December issue. The main feature for the December issue focuses on businesses in Georgia that have a good environment for females to work in. These businesses have a high quality of leadership, a decent community and proper childcare. Since this is their slow time of the year, Young encouraged focusing on the readers and their interests.
Next, the layout of the magazine was brought up. They discussed adding a map as a visual for readers, so they can see where the counties and cities are located in relation to them? Should they change the table of contents from two separate pages to a one-page spread? After a little discussion, the staff decided to leave the table of contents alone and add a map. They left the table of contents as two pages to entice people to turn the page and keep reading.
The staff moved the discussion to the January issue for 2003. For this issue, “Georgia Trend” chooses the 100 most influential people in Georgia and highlights their contributions in an article. This issue also includes a university report, an article on utilities, an article on credit unions and updates on the city of Marietta, Bleckley County, Butts County and Wayne County.
After this, they planned out the February issue. This issue features the 10 cities of excellence in Georgia. This issue also includes a legislative guide, an update on golf in Georgia, an update on executive education, an article on insurance and stories on Cherokee County, Walker County and Burke County. The cover for this issue will express the attractions of one of the cities of excellence.
Next, they arranged the plans for the March issue. This issue will have articles on health care, transportation and corporate meetings. Authors will describe the recent events in Macon, Cobb County, Valdosta and Coffe County. One of the ideas for the transportation article was to talk about the path of a train car from the train car’s point of view. I’m a red caboose on my way to Virginia.I thought that was a cool idea.
For the duration of the meeting, the staff discussed changing of some of the calendar items. They moved the special feature on tourism from the August issue to the May or June issue. The focus of this feature will be the seven wonders of Georgia.
Last, they looked into the future and thought about a separate publication of “Next” which is a magazine that introduces colleges in Georgia.
I really enjoyed sitting in on this meeting. It was educational because I plan to work in the magazine business as a journalist and then an editor.
If you would like to find out more information about the GEM program, please contact Robin Harris at 445-1228. Applications for this program are still available.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 8 2002. Filed under Opinion.
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