Business Development Outlook

Afiniti Communications was originally looking for a managing editor to handle the operations of its ailing magazine, Business Development Outlook.

After examining issues of the magazine and discussing the publication's current state with the company's chairman, I convinced Afiniti that the magazine needed a complete overhaul and a publishing director to manage all aspects of the title.

I was hired in this capacity, and repositioned the magazine from a trade publication to a BPA-recognized consumer title.

Shortly after coming on board, my position was further elevated to chief operating officer of the entire company.

My responsibilities included:

*Directing a managing editor, associate editor, art director and sales staff.
*Working the sales and editorial departments to develop an annual editorial calendar.
*Directing the sales staff, including weekly department and individual meetings.
*Managing vendor relations with circulation and fulfillment house, accounting firm, Web developer and printer.
*Improving circulation lists to provide more attractive readership and BPA audit to advertisers.
*Working with the art director to develop the magazine's new graphics and grid.
*Developing print and online sales and marketing materials.
*Writing and editing editorial.
*Directing the management of the magazine's circulation and lead fulfillment program.
*Working with BPA and the USPS on audits.
*Working with Afiniti's CFO to develop budgets, manage receivables and keep the magazine on track.

My accomplishments included:

*Repositioning the magazine's editorial to better reflect the magazine's readership.
*Getting the magazine back on a timely, bi-monthly publishing schedule, with four, additional special issues.
*Developing new sales tools which helped stabilize the magazine's revenues.
*Providing the magazine with accurate budgets, including realistic manufacturing and overhead breakouts.
*Working with BPA to help the magazine eventually receive status as a consumer publication.
*Developing the publication's first Web site, complete with online media kit.
*Implementing a traffic coordination system among editorial, sales and art which kept the magazine on a timely publishing schedule.