Magazines Ireland launched a major new initiative in Dublin on Wednesday, March 4 2015 – the Magazines Ireland Editors’ Forum & Press Cards.
Diane Kenwood, editor of Woman’s Weekly, the most successful and highest selling weekly magazine in the mature mainstream women’s market was in Dublin for the launch, which took place at the Lord Mayor’s Residence, The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
Diane, a former Chair of the British Society of Magazine Editors, discussed the success of Women’s Weekly, which has been in existence for the last 104 years. She spoke about the range of Woman’s Weekly brand extensions, including an online shop with its own suppliers and warehouse which was created to support the main content pillars of the magazine. Woman’s Weekly also has a profitable branded travel shop targeted at readers who have both the time and disposable income to avail of the offers.
Diane spoke about how important face-to-face events are to her readers, especially the Woman’s Weekly Live event which has been profitable since year one.
Speaking about the Editors’ Forum, Diane said, “An Editors’ Forum is a wonderful way for editors to get together to discuss common issues and concerns. I would encourage all of you to work closely together to learn from one another and to embrace the changing role of the editor.”
Among those who attended the launch of the Editors’ Forum were Colin Kerr, EuroTimes, Catherine Lee, RTE Guide; Daisy Downes, Accountancy Ireland; Sandra O’Connell, Architecture Ireland; Emma Parkin, Easy Parenting; Mary Anne Carrigan, Engineers Journal; Elaine Prendeville, Harmonia; Rosie McMeel, Image; Jennifer Stevens, U Magazine; Paula Lenihan, RSVP; Tom Heavey, Irish Vintage Scene; Aine Toner, Woman’s Way; Grace Heneghan, Ocean Publishing; Nathalie Marquez Courtney, Image Interiors & Living; Deanna O’Connor, Xposé; Roisin Dwyer, Hot Press; Shauna Rahman, Accountancy & Business Ireland; Steve Wynne-Jones, Checkout and Lucy Earley, Beauty Professional.
Catherine Lee, Editor of the RTE Guide said, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a newish editor, it’s that time is your most precious commodity. So the Editor’s Forum is also a support group. Only another editor can share your pain. An open door policy means the editor’s door is always open and everyone comes through it – so an editor is part-counsellor, part-psychologist, part-mammy, part financial-whiz, part- sales manager – oh yeah, and you get to edit your magazine in the margins! It can be a lonely station as you try to manage expectations, teams, budgets, disappointments and success, while being Mr. Motivator, Ms. Creative and Mrs. Nailing Your Deadline every week. So we are hoping the Forum will fill that gap. You’ll get to vent, but also be pro-active and have fun!”
Rebecca Markey, Chairman, Magazines Ireland said, ”As an association Magazines Ireland draws its strength from our ability to work together in addressing issues that face our whole industry; by pooling our limited resources to tackle threats and to take advantages of opportunities as they arise. Equally the Editor’ Forum will be a valuable group for magazine editors working together to their mutual benefit.”
Grace Aungier, CEO, Magazines Ireland said, “The role of an editor can be a challenging one and we hope that through the Forum, editors will come together to learn, share and support one another.”
The Editors’ Forum is the association of magazine editors in Ireland. It is an association exclusively for magazine and website editors. Membership is open to serving editors, editors-in-chief, editorial directors and content directors of magazines in print or online published in Ireland. As well as serving the needs of editors who have decision
making authority, the forum is also open to journalists who aspire to taking on more senior editorial roles in the future. Members will be entitled to attend regular functions and editorial forums and to apply for a Magazines Ireland Press Card. The majority of the events will be a mixture of forums, networking events and training courses.
The launch was featured in today’s Irish Times by Bernice Harrison and is available here:
More About the Editors’ Forum & Press Cards
To apply for membership click here http://www.magazinesireland.ie/editors-forum#contact
For further details please contact Grace Aungier, CEO, Magazines Ireland, 25 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 667 5579 grace@magazinesireland.ie or visit www.magazinesireland.ie
