Uncategorized
April 14, 2010 •
2009 Spring Editor’s Letter
One snowy afternoon in February 2008, I drove from Cleveland to Grand Rapids for a day-long brainstorming session to create Stationery Trends. At that point I had my hopes of how this then-unnamed magazine would present its coverage (in fact, I scribbled notes while driving), but had no idea what the finished product would end up like.
A year later finds Stationery Trends less a trade and more a fashion magazine, which to my mind is exactly what the industry needs and desires. The response from our readership — and even the magazine business itself, with Stationery Trends winning a 2008 gold Ozzie for best new design, business-to-business magazine — has been nothing less than incredible, and somewhat overwhelming.
Because I generate most of ST’s content, I’m often taken for its “face,” while other talented staffers go unrecognized. The quality of any creation is proportionate to that of its team, and Stationery Trends is no exception. Suited to these times, it’s a small team, but I want to call attention to those who also make this magazine happen.
Anyone who knows Matt McCallum will agree that he is an incredibly likable and personable guy. (With a six-word autobiography reading, “He loves family, fun and frolic,” what’s not to like?) As I see it, he envisioned this magazine long before anyone dreamed it could succeed, convinced me I could edit it and gave my ideas pretty free reign. He’s also enlightened enough to be fine with both me and Brian Virgona working off-site. I always end a conversation with Matt — a fellow lefty — energized to get to work.
Robin McMurray came to our team late in the game, replacing our founding art director Abbey Fowler last summer. She kept a cool head during the production of our fall issue, no easy feat since we went to press the week ST garnered its Ozzie. Although I’ve never actually met her, I implicitly trust her instincts and look forward to seeing what design directions she takes us in next.
Brian Virgona is, quite simply, lots of fun, which is not a typical sentiment from an editor, as typically sales and editorial don’t get along. Whether I’m running ideas past him, talking shop, trying to come up with an editorial calendar we can both live with or even butting heads, I’m confident the magazine is always the better for it.
Polished, professional and always on top of any situation, Kimberly Warren is my go-to girl on a daily basis — and I have more than 2,300 sent e-mails to prove it! She is an administrator as opposed to a micro-manager, a friend as opposed to a colleague, and her fingerprints are everywhere in this magazine. Her six-word autobiography — “Ain’t no other way to be” — could be the unofficial tagline of ST.
Finally, I must thank our readers, who believe in us, share their enthusiasm, give us ideas — and help us succeed and even grow in these difficult times. Without you, none of this would happen!
