You’ve Got Mail: Publishers May Save Billions Through Postal Reform Act

The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors announcement on November 15, 2007 that all future postal rate increases will be implemented under the CPI-capped index provision of the Postal Reform Act.

The Board is relinquishing its legal option of filing for one last rate increase under the old, pre-reform law.

The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 was passed by President Bush last December. The recent decision to not file another rate increase under the regulations used since 1971, is said to increase the savings for anyone who relies on USPS, including the magazine industry.

Some are convinced that this is the move the magazine industry has been waiting for, “This decision is good news for all mailers—but especially for magazine publishers,” said Nina Link, President and CEO, Magazine Publishers of America.

If this is true their will be large savings for shipping costs and finally some good news to the magazine industry. The rise of e-mail popularity is said to be why the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 was passed- to help the U.S. Postal Service gain more mailers because of cheaper costs.

Ironically, the very reason many print publications are worried about losing money to online publications may save the magazines money as the world shifts to compete with its' ever-changing future, “Having the next increase, which is likely in spring of 2008, and all future increases under the new CPI system will literally save publishers billions of dollars in postage costs in the coming years,” said Link.

Yet, the National Association of Letter Carriers said that (http://www.nalc.org/postal/reform/index.html) not everyone is happy about the Postal Reform Act, “Postal reform finally passed not because everybody was happy with it. Nobody—and certainly not the NALC—was completely satisfied. But that is true for any major legislation that affects millions of people and businesses.”

Link also said if the old law was still upheld the difference would have been huge, “If the 2008 increase had come under the old law, it could easily have been in excess of 20% for magazines – under the new CPI cap, it will likely be no more than 2 to 3%.”

Though some seem certain about the savings others don't see a benefit to the magazine industry. President of Spin Magazine and publisher of 7x7 Magazine, Tom Hartle, does not think the act will make any difference, "I don't think there is going to be any lasting change," said Hartle.

It seems the numbers are showing in the report to be in the magazine industries favor but the only way publishers can be certain if the Postal Reform Act will make a difference is to wait until another increase happens and see for themselves.

To see official The Postal Service’s official announcement click here:
http://www.magazine.org/government_action/postal/25128.cfm

Event: San Francisco Magazine's Fallfest

On October 6, San Francisco Magazine held its annual Fallfest event in the Justin Herman Plaza near the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Bringing together over eighty Bay Area eateries and wineries in the dazzling afternoon sun, the magazine set to establish Fallfest as the food and wine event of the season celebrating the local bounty of the Bay.

Between the Asian-influenced raw delicacies, fried chicken and cornbread, savory liver mousse and delectable confectionary bites; the price of an $80 general admission ticket bought one the opportunity to feast and drink to their hearts’ content. With informative chef demonstrations and dozens of tempting tents set up along the plaza, guests got to mingle while tasting the creations from local favorites such as Postrio, Quince and Aqua as well as sampling a slew of local wines.

Of course for those desiring an up-graded culinary treat, VIP tickets were available for $150 and included an additional wine flight tasting with custom food pairings and a gift bag.




San Francisco Magazine, joined with the Examiner and KRON 4, engages in such events each year to promote their position as the leading exclusive, city-read for the discerning San Franciscan reader. Fallfest, along with the magazine’s summertime Best of the Bay event, proves a great marketing tool not only for reaching out to readers, but also to gain new advertisers as well. Some of the magazine’s top advertisers helped sponsor Fallfest such as The Ritz Carlton Club, Bauer’s transportation, Amstel Light and Fiji water.

Currently San Francisco Magazine markets itself to the established, affluent decision-makers of San Francisco and by pairing with local fine-dining establishments - the magazine has established a brand for itself much like the old-fashioned Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Each year the magazine puts out its picks for the Best of the Bay, creating a trusted relationship of taste and choosiness amongst their readers.

By tapping into the diverse food and wine culture of the city, Fallfest is yet another way for San Francisco Magazine to make its presence known among the trendy “who’s who” in the Bay Area. Additionally, the magazine holds its Fallfest to benefit the charity Meals on Wheels – aiding their well-off readership that wishes to donate to much-needed local causes.

The leading competitor of San Francisco Magazine is 7x7 magazine which also distinguishes itself as the Bay Area read for the affluent and hip. In addition, each year 7x7 declares its pick for the best of the Bay Area, yet does not hold an annual fall harvest event like San Francisco Magazine.



According to Erica Minix, assistant to the President of San Francisco Magazine, the magazine also holds smaller promotional events with the same purpose of the Fallfest on an almost weekly basis.

Making its presence known at these exclusive local parties, the magazine is constantly promoting itself and handing out free copies to potential subscribers. At Fallfest, the magazine did the same and by hosting the event, was able to distinguish itself as the leader in what’s new, fresh and tasty in the Bay Area culinary scene.

Interns: Free Work for Bay Area Publications

In February this year, SF Weekly published the article “Must Work for Free,” a portrayal of the use of unpaid interns in local Bay Area publications. Writer Martin Kuz found that many large publications such as San Francisco Magazine, 7x7 and the San Francisco Bay Guardian, were violating state labor code by hiring non-student interns to work for free.

According to state law, an intern must be a registered student receiving school credit for their work at a publication. If a company hires a non-student they are to be considered an employee and therefore must receive minimum wage. By comparing this practice to slave labor, Kuz was consequently criticized by readers for possibly withholding information about SF Weekly sister publications who also hire un-paid interns. (Read Comments.)

Chris Jasmin, a 26-year-old non-student intern, was working at the Guardian during the time the SF Weekly article was published. At the time, the editors called all the interns into the office and explained to them that this was just how the system worked.

Jasmin feels it is pretty much accepted that you have to work the Guardian’s internship program if you ever want to write for them. So he worked to get published and for journalism training which never really came.



“When I was hired they told me I would be going to four seminars; stuff on grammar, copy-writing and how to conduct interviews. We did none of these,” said Jasmin.

Jasmin worked 20-30 hours a week interning while keeping a job as a bartender so he could pay bills. The Guardian’s work environment was formal, the dozen or so interns per semester rarely interacted with the editors they were supposedly learning from.

“I only talked to some editors,” Jasmin commented. “Most stayed in their office and only talked to you if they asked you to get their coffee.”

While working in the News section, Jasmin was rarely assigned stories to write. Mostly he answered phones, fact-checked, answered faxes and pimped out his My Space with his abundant free time. The one article that was required was to write a section of the annual culture guide, the Superlist.

Luckily Jasmin did get some articles published, but it was left to him to pitch the idea (Read “Crime-free Creativity.”)

“The only interns that got things published were the go-getters,” explained Jasmin. “The quiet, shy ones who didn’t speak up didn’t get in.”

Interns in the Culture section were given more assignments as they helped with art and entertainment reviews. The job was less than glamorous according to Jasmin, however, as the Culture interns had to sort through the piles of books and cds the editors didn’t have time to go through.

“They would get at least fifty cds and books a day,” Jasmin said. “For the movie reviews, the editor sees the best five movies and then the interns write up all the other shit that others don’t want to write.”

Before the Guardian, Jasmin also interned for To-Do Monthly which was a more work intensive position. Although Jasmin prefers his internship at the smaller publication because he was more valued and appreciated, he views his time at the Guardian as key because it looks great on his resume.

Jasmin, whose internship ended in May, now freelances for the Guardian at 10 cents a word. Yet because of their extensive use of un-paid interns, he still has a difficult time selling any articles.

“You would be surprised how many articles are written for free,” said Jasmin. “I submit stuff to [the Guardian] but most of the stuff I submit doesn’t get in. They have interns to write that stuff for free.”