I think that starting and successfully operating a magazine like
Passagemaker is a fairly difficult thing to do as a small,
independent publisher. All publishers walk a tight rope between
advertising revenue and journalistic independence.
With a readership of 60,000 the magazine is a very real benefit to
the passagemaker community and the industry it supports. I look
forward to receiving every issue and I typically read it cover to
cover. However, I read it perhaps a little more critically than I
would most other publications.
I've never met Bill Parlatore and I've certainly never been in the
magazine business nor walked a mile in his shoes. But, I commend him
for what he's done, even if he hasn't done everything perfectly and
he can't keep everyone happy.
There's a Chinese proverb that says, "Rather light a candle than
complain about darkness." I don't see any other magazines out there
that support the passagemaker niche.
In the February (e.g. current) issue Bill announces that the magazine
has been acquired by a media giant that publishes 700 titles and owns
a number of cable TV stations, including the Weather Channel. This is
likely to have a significant positive effect on the magazine's
resources and will allow it more freedom from advertising influence.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
Bruce
I think that starting and successfully operating a magazine like
Passagemaker is a fairly difficult thing to do as a small,
independent publisher. All publishers walk a tight rope between
advertising revenue and journalistic independence.
With a readership of 60,000 the magazine is a very real benefit to
the passagemaker community and the industry it supports. I look
forward to receiving every issue and I typically read it cover to
cover. However, I read it perhaps a little more critically than I
would most other publications.
I've never met Bill Parlatore and I've certainly never been in the
magazine business nor walked a mile in his shoes. But, I commend him
for what he's done, even if he hasn't done everything perfectly and
he can't keep everyone happy.
There's a Chinese proverb that says, "Rather light a candle than
complain about darkness." I don't see any other magazines out there
that support the passagemaker niche.
In the February (e.g. current) issue Bill announces that the magazine
has been acquired by a media giant that publishes 700 titles and owns
a number of cable TV stations, including the Weather Channel. This is
likely to have a significant positive effect on the magazine's
resources and will allow it more freedom from advertising influence.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
Bruce
