Building Components

Building Components (later Building with Components) was a launch for Knight Enterprises, Ltd., a multi-client association management firm which wished to develop a full-scale publishing arm.

The magazine was a unique experiment in that it replaced WoodWords, the trade magazine of the Wood Truss Council of America, with a dual-audience publication (with first-half editorial aimed at users of engineered structural components, and second-half editorial aimed at the makers of engineered structural components).

I led a team which included an in-house managing editor, creative director, production coordinator, database/circulation manager and Web master, as well as a contract sales director, graphic artist and various contributors and freelancers.

My responsibilities included:

*Working with the WTCA to develop an annual editorial calendar.
*Working with the art director to develop the magazine's graphics and grid.
*Developing print and online sales and marketing materials.
*Writing and editing editorial.
*Directing production and printing of the magazine and collateral pieces.
*Directing the management of the magazine's circulation and lead fulfillment program.
*Working with KE's CFO to develop budgets, manage receivables and keep the magazine on track.
*Representing the magazine at the WTCA's annual convention.

My accomplishments included:

*Developing a directory of suppliers which allowed 1,500 potential advertisers to participate for the first time.
*Decreasing issues from 10 (WoodWords) to eight (Building Components) while increasing revenues by 51 percent.
*Developing KE's first publication Web site, complete with back issues, vendor directory, industry glossary, etc.