What is a MagaBrand?
A Message from Conference Chair David Zinczenko
The annual American Magazine Conference convenes October 28th to the 30th at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida, and it promises to be among our best ever. With the nation on the verge of political and cultural upheaval, magazines will assume a more important role than ever in American society. How will you convey your message to your readers? How will you find new audiences for your content? Thats what this industry meeting is about. I urge you not to miss it. (Just hope your rivals do.)
Our theme this year is "The MagaBrand Revolution: How Media Brands are Finding Success on the Printed PageAnd Beyond." What is a MagaBrand? It's a magazine that's found a way to extend the power of its brand beyond the printed periodicalinto realms like "old" media (books, newsstand specials, television, radio); "new" media (podcasts, webcasts, cellcasts, e-newsletters); even non-media (nightclubs, restaurants, tour operations, fashion lines, retail products, conventions, big-cause crusades, hotels and casinos).
The MagaBrand Revolution will detail how magazines canand mustexpand their brands into all corners of the target audience's consciousness, and how your magazine will live or die on the inventiveness and daring you bring to your brand. From bricks and mortar to burgeoning new technologies, youll learn what works (and what doesnt) in the new media environment.
Among the agenda highlights:
WHAT MAGAZINES CAN LEARN FROM TV. Beth Comstock, President of NBC Universal Digital, will discuss how the business of network television is using digital platforms to extend its reach, enhance its brand and connect with users 24/7.
GOOGLE VERSUS THE MAGAZINE INDUSTRY? Former Time Magazine President Eileen Naughton will reveal what shes learned running Googles sales effortsand how she sees todays media environment based on her experiences in the digital and magazine worlds.
HOW YOUR WEB PRESENCE CHANGES EVERYTHING. Arianna Huffington, who has turned her hot and of-the-moment news and opinion Web site, the Huffington Post, into a daily must-read, will show you how to turn the volume of your viewpoint up to eleven, and beyond.
DOES YOUR MAGAZINE HAVE ENOUGH FRIENDS? Reid Hoffman, founder and CEO of LinkedIn and one of Silicon Valleys most successful angel investors, will talk about the future of social networking and how magazines can play successfully in the space. He will also discuss "The Next Big Thing" in digital media.
THE EDITOR AS OCTOPUS. The industrys top editors-in-chief will share their secrets on how they extend and integrate their magazine with their websites, boost brand awareness on TV, create worthy franchises and editorial leadership programs, and more. New York Times columnist David Carr moderates this panel examining the growing demands on editors as they struggle to produce a magazine, feed the digital beast and keep their brands relevant in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
ARE YOUR READERS WORKING HARD ENOUGH FOR YOU? Is user-generated journalism a fad, or the next big opportunity? Michael Skoler, Executive Director for the Center for Innovation in Journalism, leads this panel discussion looking at the opportunities and risks of text, pictures, and video created by users and readers.
IS YOUR COVER WORKING HARD ENOUGH ON THE NEWSSTAND? The AMC will conclude Tuesday afternoon with a luncheon honoring the 2007 winners in ASMEs Best Covers Competition.
OUR BIG KEYNOTE SPEAKER. We cant reveal the name just yet, but last years was Barak Obama. The year before, it was Bill Clinton. We promise that this years speaker will provide a definitive outlook on our times, and your readers.
Of course, all work and no play makes for dull magazine execs. Five-star dining in the hands of renowned chefs, and plenty of parties and networking opportunities will make this event not just a good time, but also a pivotal point in your career.
Be sure to sign up today. I look forward to seeing you there.
David Zinczenko
SVP and Editor-in-Chief, Men's Health
Editorial Director, Best Life
AMC 2007 Conference Chair
Register Online Now
or
Print a Registration Form (pdf)
