TABPI/ASBPE Magazine Critique Service is back!

TABPI and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) are joining together to promote and further develop the Magazine Critique Service (MCS), a program intended as a first step for B2B magazines interested in gauging their current performance. The MCS allows editors to get feedback from some of the most respected editors working in b2b journalism today, and benefit from their colleague-to-colleague analysis of what's working and what can be improved.

Not all magazines - especially smaller ones - can afford a full-blown revamp. The MCS provides objective, outside analyses that can show the decision makers in an organization how to take content to the next level. Magazines participating in the MCS will have three reviewers give detailed feedback on specific editorial and design aspects of the publication. TABPI and ASBPE will provide a report to the editor, who can thoroughly review the results with the editorial and design staff.

How the MCS works

You submit two recent issues of your publication. A team of editors and designers examine them. Two editors and one designer review each submission, so you'll get a variety of opinions.

You receive a report with detailed feedback on specific editorial and design aspects of your publication. Carefully reviewing the MCS report with your entire staff allows your publication to brainstorm over what's working and what needs improvement.

All submissions for the MCS must be received on or about October 1st, 2008. The average processing time will be 8-10 weeks from the time materials are received. Complete details on the program, along with a submission form and two sample critiques, are available on the TABPI Web site, at http://www.tabpi.org/mcs as well as at the ASBPE Web site, http://www.asbpe.org. Visit either site to view a sample report.

Based in Cleveland, Trade, Association and Business Publications International (TABPI) is a worldwide organization dedicated to bringing together editors working for English-language publications worldwide, and encourage a common dedication to editorial ethics and excellence.

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Posted by Nikki Golden on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 @ 8:39 PM
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Selling out to advertisers the new way of the world

To anyone who has felt that the line between editorial and advertising has become blurred in the business-to-business media, take heart—it’s happening on mainstream TV, too.

The Olympics always have been an occasion where companies spend beaucoup bucks to promote their products and their products’ ability to promote world unity and peace, but this year’s broadcast more than ever seems to be filled with those types of sponsorships you know were created to fill NBC’s coffers. Chevy’s Gold Medal Moments is the big one that jumps to mind.

But I wonder if this sort of pandering to potential advertisers—and by pandering, I mean creating vehicles for them to sponsor based on their needs and not the needs of the audience—is as obvious to the average Joe as it is to an editor who has had to create something that doesn’t necessarily further the mission of the magazine but instead brings in some extra dollars.

And if it is getting to be as obvious to the public at large, will there be a public outcry for change. I can’t be the only person who’s annoyed by the constant disruption during sporting events for this or that being brought to you by some company.

But back to my original point: does what you see in the mainstream media, both print and online, make you feel any better about the position many B2B editors fall into, with having to create sponsorship opportunities for advertisers that might not necessarily be in the best interest of the readers?

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Posted by Nikki Golden on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 @ 4:38 PM
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