Tut tut
Lewis Lazare, a columnist at The Chicago Sun-Times described the New Yorker decision last month to publish an entire issue sponsored by one national retail chain, Target, as “the most jaw-dropping collapse of the so-called sacred wall between editorial and advertising in modern magazine history.”
The August 22 issue had 18 pages of Target ads
He and other critics aren't impressed by the rather flaccid response from the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME), whose guidelines for the separation of advertising and editorial are considered the gold (or at least gold-plated) standard for the industry. (The Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME) modelled its own guidelines on ASME's.)
ASME noted mildly that its guidelines require a single-sponsored magazine to include a note telling readers that this didn't influence the editorial in any way. The board of ASME issued a statement:
“Our guidelines do call for a publisher’s note to readers in single-advertiser issues, and The New Yorker has agreed to include such a note when and if they do this again.”ASME's ultimate sanction could be to deny the New Yorker eligibility to enter the National Magazine Awards (the "Ellies", named after the Alexander Calder sculpture of an elephant that is given out). But since the New Yorker was contrite, apparently, the board said it wasn't considered necessary.
posted by D. B. Scott at
11:45 am
14 Comments:
I wonder if Kim Pittaway has any advice to CSME regarding Chatelaine's eligibility for the National Magazine Awards?
Unlike ASME, CSME is not connected to the National Magazine Awards Foundation and consequently has no such clout.
Hey DB,
In your view, should CSME form an alliance with the National Magazine Awards?
I'm on the record believing that the entire industry should get its act together, as in creating One Big Organization. To that end, I continue to think that there should be something like Magazines Canada as the umbrella and secretariat, providing services and a platform for various caucuses (or "silos" to use the consultants' term) including the National Magazine Awards, CSME, the Canadian Business Press, the Canadian Church Press and so on. Each could do what they do best, but when times called for it, Magazines Canada could speak for the entire industry.
In fact, the National Magazine Awards Foundation already shares office space and facilities with Magazines Canada. It's a step that CSME should consider. Whether you call it an alliance or something else, the outcome would be good for both.
Hey DB,
I agree, makes senses for CSME and the NMAF to form an alliance. If it were with Magazine's Canada, how do you think the Pittaway thing would be handled, vis a vis the National Magazine Awards eligibility, seeing how Rogers pays a big chunk of Magazines Canada's members ship fees. Money talks don't you think?
NMAF runs its own show, with its own board and independent judges and there's no reason that couldn't continue to be the case for it and CSME.
So an alliance between CSME and NMAF would be a good thing for sure.
But we're not sure, because of the money thing, how it would play out if the alliance was with Mags Canada?
I think the alliance would be with Magazines Canada, providing service to both.
Sounds like a plan. I'm convinced there's merit in this arrangement. So what's the hold-up?
Is there any chance this will happen anytime soon?
My understanding is that conversations are being held; this is one of those things that happens slowly or not at all.
Good news. Maybe Kim P. should volunteer her services to help fast track the process...no time like the present.
Good news. Maybe Kim P. should volunteer her services to help fast track the process...no time like the present.
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Man, this string sure sounds contrived. Nonetheless, I invite anonymous to contact me back channel and OTR, as I'm currently chairing a Mags Canada task force examining the CSME guidelines. My e-mail address is: walsh@outdoorcanada.ca
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