EWIP

Susan G. Komen versus Planned Parenthood? Really?

Linda Ruth — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:02:17 +0000

My godfather, the Reverend Carl Flemister, was the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood in New York City in the years when I was growing up. His association with the program seemed to me then, and still seems to me, such an honorable and altruistic use of his considerable talents and connections. I remember growing up with the understanding that “Uncle Buddy” would make sure that, in his city at least, women were supported; that women in New York would have important resources at their disposal; and that it was considered important that women have a voice in the direction of their lives.

Mostly, I grew up with the understanding that caring for women’s health was on the radar, and that Planned Parenthood was a part of this.

It was a child’s understanding, of course, based on a child’s view of the world. Still, it felt like a slap to hear that the Susan G Komen for the Cure foundation–leaders, as they have been, in raising awareness of breast cancer, pink ribbons everywhere–had decided to cut off all funding for Planned Parenthood’s breast cancer screening and education programs. What could the foundation be thinking? And whatever infighting it is succumbing to, why should the women who need these services be the ones to pay the price?

Women’s Leadership Conference – Year Four

Claudia — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:16:34 +0000

EWIP’s 2012 Women’s Leadership Conference is now in its fourth year. We think it is going to be better than ever. This year’s program is designed to give you a clear window into emerging best practices with a highly interactive program featuring cross-platform expertise, examples of great partnerships and collaborations, and innovative leaders in publishing and media ready to share their strategies for new content and revenue opportunities.

Register today. You will come away from this event with 5 key steps to take your organization or publication to the next level, meet 10 new contacts, hear smart ideas about partnerships, and best of all, get a renewed sense of inspiration for the challenges ahead.

Fourth Annual Women’s Leadership Conference
Taking Our Next Step: Content, Community, Collaboration
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
~•~
2012 Exceptional Woman In Publishing Award Luncheon
honoring the 14th recipient
Michela O’Connor Abrams
President, Dwell Media
Award presentation by Dorothy Kalins, who received the 2009 EWIP Award

Twitter hashtag: #WLC2012

PARC 55 HOTEL
55 Cyril Magnin Street, LEVEL FOUR
San Francisco • Near Union Square
Parking and Directions
The special conference rate of $269/night is available for reservations made before February 14th. Please reference Women’s Leadership Conference when calling 1-800-697-3101 for a reservation. Reserve via email.

Are They Coming for Your Birth Control?

Linda Ruth — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:40:30 +0000

Interesting link to this article in Salon–Rick Santorum wants to make all contraceptives illegal, even for married couples. How did he get so far in the Republican party? and does the GOP want to be taken seriously by women? The political process is one of the most effective ways anywhere of getting your thoughts heard–at that level it is certainly more effective than writing, starting a magazine, or having a cable TV show. By the time a candidate reaches that level in the political process he (or, very occasionally, she) is able to leverage the total power of the media. It gives a kind of credibility to the thoughts and opinions of people participating in the political process. We in the media and we as citizens need to hold them accountable for that. http://www.salon.com/2012/01/04/rick_santorum_is_coming_for_your_birth_control/

Michela O’Connor Abrams of Dwell Media Gets EWIP Award

Claudia — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:22:05 +0000

EWIP is pleased to announce that Michela O’Connor Abrams is the 2012 Exceptional Woman in Publishing Award recipient. Ms. O’Connor Abrams will be presented with the award at the fourth annual Women’s Leadership Conference on March 7th in San Francisco. Exceptional Women in Publishing has bestowed this honor that recognizes publishing and media’s best female leaders, since 1999. Ms. O’Connor Abrams is the fourteenth recipient of the annual award that includes Gloria Steinem, Katrina vanden Heuvel of The Nation, Laurel Touby, founder of mediabistro.com, and Ardath and Marie Rodale of Rodale, Inc. The full list can be viewed here.

Michela O’Connor Abrams is president of Dwell Media, an award-winning media company founded in 2000. Her nine years of leadership there has led to General Excellence at the National Magazine Awards, a 2009 finalist in the corporate category for the prestigious National Design Awards, and National recognition for both circulation growth and newsstand sales. In 2005, she conceived and launched Dwell on Design, the largest design show on the West Coast hosting 20,984 design professionals and enthusiasts. She has led the development and growth of Dwell Media’s digital platforms including web, mobile, and tablet products which were recently recognized as “#1 Most Innovative” in Affinity Research’s August 2011 survey.

Ms. O’Connor Abrams was honored in 2005 by Media Industry News as Sales Leader of the Year. She is President of the Board for Goodweave (formerly RugMark), Chairman of Home & Gift for Project Angel Food’s Divine Design, sits on the boards of Magazine Publishers of America’s Independent Magazine Advisory Group, Linguastat, Halogen Media, Afar Media, and serves on the Board of Trustees for Marin Horizon School.

Michela O’Connor Abrams has been a strong supporter of EWIP (and WIPP) for many years and has presented at the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Women’s Leadership Conferences. She is the first recipient of the EWIP award who hails from the West Coast. Please join the EWIP board of directors at the conference luncheon to celebrate and honor this dynamic woman, who is, for all who know her, leadership in action!
Congratulations, Michela!

Photo courtesy of Dwell Media.

The “New” Domesticity

Linda Ruth — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:23:11 +0000

Has anyone seen the recent article in the Washington Post on the New Domesticity? It raises some interesting questions about balance of home and work, the obsession with perfection, finding safety through controlling the environment, and lots of other issues (the role of hobbies in ones sense of self worth, for example). I was left feeling, however, that the article itself might be just a bit too self-referential–as in, who cares if I spend my Saturdays making jam, writing a book, or windsurfing?

What do you think?

Women Are…

Linda Ruth — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:22:56 +0000

I find the various trailers for Miss Representation as fascinating and powerful generators of dialog each in and of themselves. The Women Are… one that was just forwarded to me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z-hr6IS9_w) especially interested me because of the comments generated. Several people took exception to the comment: “and they do it in heels.” What do you think?

Hear Me Now?

Claudia — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:47:07 +0000

As a feminist who came of age in the 70s I’ve spent much of my life trying to upend the status quo that simultaneously diminishes the challenges women and girls face and trivializes our actions and accomplishments. I’ve long since tired of the offerings of the corporate media, television, movies, and even my own industry (publishing) that so often miss represents “reality”. I know I am not the only one who has consciously sought out progressive voices in books, music, film, and art, for ideas and entertainment that reflect on our world with a passionate and creative female voice. Despite the considerable effort made by many to increase the diversity of voices, there is damning evidence that we have seriously lost ground against the juggernaut that is the global consolidation of media corporations. The misrepresentation of women has contributed not only to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence but is a reversal of the gains made last century.

That is the message of a powerful new documentary called, Miss Representation, written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. This film premiered in 2011 at Sundance and aired nationally in October on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and reports in a dramatic and relentless fashion how awful the present situation really is for girls and women. In a recent post by Marianne Schnall, founder of feminst.com, she said the film prompted “an inner tsunami of epiphanies and emotions”. I too, felt the essential truth of the message and still hear many of the words from the film’s speakers, including Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Caroline Heldman, Jean Kilbourne, Jennifer Lawless, Nancy Pelosi, Jennifer L. Pozner with the largest impact for me coming from the young and articulate men and women interviewed in the film. As part of the curriculum for media literacy that is flowing from the film’s producers, supporters are encouraged to take the pledge.

“I pledge to use my voice to spread the message of Miss Representation and challenge the media’s limiting portrayal of women and girls”

EWIP will screen this film in San Francisco, in January. (Details to be announced soon.) We know it will be an emotional and insightful experience. This documentary is important and we intend to make a special effort that boys and men will be there to see it too. In the meantime, check out the trailer and take the pledge. Miss Representation Trailer (8:52 min.).

Independent Magazine Media Conference

Claudia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:13:20 +0000

Event: 9th Annual MPA-Independent Magazine Media Conference
Date: May 21-23, 2012
Location: Hotel Marlowe, Cambridge, Mass.

About this Event: The 9th annual MPA-Independent Magazine Media Conference (MPA-IMAG) will be held in Cambridge, MA. Save $200 on the super early discount rates available if you register for the 3 day conference before January 20, 2012. The plain ole early rates (save $100) are available to those who register by March 6th.

For More Information

Environmental Heroes Wanted

Claudia — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:39:59 +0000

The Better Paper Project invites all environmental leaders in the publishing industry to apply for the Aveda Environmental Award. The award honors magazine titles and publishers who have made significant contributions to protecting the environment, climate, and communities through their paper and manufacturing choices. Co-created by Aveda and Green America‘s Better Paper Project in 2005, the award has honored titles such as Audubon, Utne, Mother Jones, and Fast Company for their responsible practices.

The deadline for applications is November 21st.
Visit the Better Paper Project website for details.

The Mood at Distripress

Linda Ruth — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:30:30 +0000

I’m just back from Distripress, the international publishing conference. This year it was in Barcelona and the mood, interestingly, was upbeat. The theme was “Print is Not Dead.” The speaker said that he’d been tracking print all over the world, and there is no correlation between the rise in digital and the loss in print. The correlation is with the recession. Still, I’m concerned about the lack of connection to digital that many participants appeared to have. If anyone wants to comment on this page, I’d love to hear your thoughts!