2008 Mix & Mingle - Blog

June 4, 2008

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS by Ines Bebea

June 4, 2008 – Mix & Mingle at Bryant Park Grill, New York City

Not even the stifling humidity, or the threat of thunderstorms on a spring evening can keep New Yorkers from having a good time. Editorial executives and their business-side counterparts, descended on New York City’s Bryant Park Grill for the MPA’s annual mixer with eagerness and excitement for the magazine industry’s networking event of the year.

While sipping pear martinis and enjoying an appetizing flow of hors d'oeuvres, guests from the across the magazine world and beyond put aside competitive differences to mingle like a happy family during a wedding reception. With the magazine folks were reps from the latest media giant: the Internet. And no, the irony of writing a blog about the magazine publishing industry is not lost on anyone. I mean seriously, in any business you have to adapt, and the Internet is no longer the dreaded, unsophisticated cousin who shows up at your Halloween costume party dressed in a sequined gown. (Although, some fashionistas might consider a Halloween party the only appropriate place for sequins.)

The Internet is now a welcome party guest. Who has even received an olive branch. But the guests, new and old, came together to support what diversity adds to the creative process.  By looking at the pictures, you could easily mistake them for an event at the United Nations, and that’s the point of the mix and mingle: to bring together a diverse group of voices.

Without diversity in the industry and publications, the voices of Latina Magazine, Black Enterprise and even O Magazine, may never see the light of day. Same goes for the contributions made by executives of color. Kudos to the MPA for putting a spotlight on diversity and raising their martini glasses to its importance.

Ines Bebea is a freelance writer/reporter and budding photographer living in New York City.  She covers sports, pop culture, music, arts, entertainment, diversity, healthcare, tourism, small business and education. Ines can be reached at ibebea@gmail.com.