It's Tuesday: 5 Things About the World of Magazines & Media - Issue #36
If you follow me on Twitter, are a regular reader of this newsletter, or used to read my semi retired blog, “From the Foredeck of the Titanic”, you may have noticed that I am occasionally skeptical about the strategies media executives dream up in the boardroom. I'm that way because I’ve been on the receiving end of those "strategies". In a few instances I've had to clean up the mess afterwards.
But I should try to be more fair. sometimes things work out in spite of themselves and sometimes the strategies are actually pretty good.
Last week the Pandemic Publishing Roundtable had a meeting with TMB (Trusted Media Brand - Reader’s Digest) CEO Bonnie Kintzer. Bonnie laid out for us all that her company has done throughout the pandemic and the steps they’ve taken recently to grow. The steps her company has taken are a great example of how to do things with forethought, persistence and grace.
We should be able to share the transcripts from that meeting very soon.
Until then, the first article in this week’s newsletter is from MediaPost and discusses a slew of appointments TMB has made as a result of their recent acquisition of Jukin Media
1. MediaPost: TMB Names New CRO & Other C-Suite Execs
TMB Names New CRO, Appoints 7 Other C-Suite Execs 02/18/2022 — www.mediapost.com TMB Names New CRO, Appoints 7 Other C-Suite Execs - 02/18/2022
It takes a certain amount of skill, dexterity, sophistication and a healthy dose of confidence to maneuver a longstanding brand of publications through an ever changing media landscape. It is encouraging to watch TMB these steps and it makes you wonder why some other brands seem to find positive change so difficult.
2. File Under "Whoopsie:" It Turns Out that Spotify Actually Paid Joe Rogan $200 Million for His Podcast
Spotify reportedly paid $200 million for Joe Rogan’s podcast - The Verge — www.theverge.com Spotify is licensing The Joe Rogan Experience for at least $200 million for three and a half years, according to a New York Times report. That’s double the amount that had initially been reported and went uncorrected by Spotify’s PR team.
Joe Rogan’s Spotify Deal Is Reportedly Worth Double What Was Originally Thought — www.billboard.com Joe Rogan's podcasting deal with Spotify was worth at least double previously believed, according to a report from The New York Times.
I've felt for a long time that podcasting can and should be a big source of "brand engagement" (and revenue) for magazine media publishers. It's an amazingly wonderful way for you to talk directly to your audience and encourage them to read all of your content.
With regards to Rogan and Spotify: I get it, we’re human. It takes honesty, energy, effort and work to rid ourselves of our fears, our bad habits, our bias and bigotry. This is true for podcasters, magazine publishers and even the CEOs of large tech platforms.
Seems to me, though, if you’re going to drop $200 million on buying an entire library of podcasts, and you have a very large company with a lot of employees on hand, that maybe, just maybe (I’m freelancing here so bear with me), maybe... you’d kind of, sort of, just possibly might have some people on staff who would check out the content of that back catalog?
Maybe?
I have some issues with Rogan:
The first is that his use of the n-word isn’t something that was dug up from the depths of the 1950’s or 1960’s. It happened within the last ten years and even back in the bad old days it wasn’t considered a good word to use. So don’t give me that comedian word shuffle "I'm being edgy" line because it’s sad, tired and goes nowhere.
The second thing is that he has now claimed publicly that he doesn’t do a lot of prep work prior to having his guests on. Again, sorry. That doesn’t wash. I listen to a lot of podcasts, work with a lot of media editors and production people. We’re paid a sh*t ton less that Joe Rogan. We do our homework.
He should too
So shame on Joe Rogan. Shame on Spotify.
3. From Digiday: Multi-Hypehnate Entertainment Journalist Kelley Carter
How ‘Close Up’ host Kelley Carter developed into a multi-hyphenate entertainment journalist — digiday.com Originally a newspaper reporter, Carter hosts two podcasts, has won an Emmy Award and has production company with fellow journalist Jemele Hill.
This article highlights a trend we're seeing everywhere in the media world. You want to be successful? Well then, get busy because if you can do several things beyond your core competency you just might become successful.
Former Chicago Tribune reporter Kelley Carter has done just that and she now writes for the website The Undefeated, hosts two podcasts and is developing a TV show.
For some reason, I have a feeling that she does her homework. Maybe Spotify has a spare $200 million they could send her way?
Just saying...
4. Media Voices: Do Publishers Need an Exit Strategy from Social Media?
Do publishers need an exit strategy from social media? - Media Voices — voices.media We sometimes get readers responding to our daily newsletter with questions or asking us our thoughts on a particular issue. …
Writer Esther Kezia Thorpe pens an opinion piece based on a question from a reader. The answer is, of course, “Of course not.” But she makes the well needed point that no matter the platform, social media is more of a marketing tool than a publishing tool.
This is an argument that I completely agree with. If you’re going to go through the effort and energy to produce pieces for your audience, don’t just hand them away or hope that somehow your audience finds you. Go out into the world, find your audience, and bring them to you. Social media can do that.
I’d also point out that while, yes, “Political Twitter” is hideously toxic and sad, “Writer Twitter” and it’s cousin, “Author Twitter” is the best Twitter and something worth checking out.
Find me on Twitter and check out my lists: “Writers of Interest” , you'll see what I mean.
5. In Non-Magazine Media News: Some Notes from the Olympics
Speedskater Sacrifices Shot At Olympic Medal With 'Classy Move' | HuffPost null — www.huffpost.com Rather than attempt a risky move that could have messed up both their races, Dutch star Kai Verbij gave way to Canada’s Laurent Dubreuil on the final crossover straight.
The Best and Worst Moments of the 2022 Olympics So Far — www.vulture.com Highlighting the best and worst moments from the 2022 winter Olympics hosted in Beijing, China. Featuring all the snow sports, figure skating outfits, BTS shoutouts, giant mascots, and Skims apparel.
As of today, the Winter Olympics have been over for a few days. Life in Beijing is getting back to "Covid-normal". Athletes are flying home.
Yes, the Olympics were held in an authoritarian regime that seemed very interested in displaying their power and glory. Yes, the practices of the Russian Olympic Committee were terrible. Yes, it was terrible to hold the Winter Olympics in a location that could not support alpine sports.
But still we saw many moments of the highly skilled, highly competitive athletes being kind and generous and caring towards each other. This should not surprise us. There is nothing shocking about this.
We are human. We are capable of doing so much good. We should never forget that.
Your Moment of Magazine Zen is Brought to You By...
The March issue of Madison Magazine is on it's way to newsstands and subscribers and features local Madison Chef, Itaru Nagano as their "Chef of the Year." I also put it here because it's a really good cover.
So that’s all we’ve got this week If you enjoyed this newsletter, please give it a boost by clicking “Like” and then subscribe. You’ll get a brand new release in your email in-box every Tuesday.
If you’ve got a question or comment, please drop me a line. You can always reach me at joe.berger@newsstandpros.com.
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Now get back to work, OK? I checked and the break room is out of coffee pods and you really don't want to get anything from that vending machine. It hasn't been restocked since before the Covid shutdown.
Have a great week!