, a bimontly magazine, covers stories that are dedicated to notable professionals and industry which affect well lifestyles

(MB) Five years from now what role will publications like yours serve? For example, some people predict a complete migration to the web for many types of publications. Do you?
(CWM) My prediction would be that there will still be print media, not as much, but still in existence for publishers who work hard to provide quality and original content. Recycled news, newswire dumps and lack of creativity will define who survives and who does not, in addition to broadcast and web symmetry.

(MB) Looking forward to 2009, do you have any significant changes in store for the new year?
(CWM) Yes, added value for readership.

(MB) What was your most successful advertising initiative in the past 12 months? 
(CWM) Taking what I call, a Marketorial Approach© - serving my advertisers across multiple platforms, including them in any outside marketing opportunities and events we are involved in and more. Our job should be to serve our readership and our advertisers in the best way possible - always!

(MB) Do you have tips for other publications about the best way to integrate print and web sales?
(CWM) Ask yourself, what do my readers really want? And then implement it across as many platforms as possible.

Founded in April 2005, Positive Magazine has become an in-flight publication for US Airways Shuttle, United and Continental Airlines. Tiffany Love of Positive has answered Mediabids' questions.

(MB) Five years from now what role will publications like yours serve? For example, some people predict a complete migration to the web for many types of publications. Do you?
(PM) There are many advantages to the web, but there are certain aspects of "web publishing" that don't come close to print. For instance, when you go home from work today and check your mailbox, do you only want to see bills or receive some good news? Do you want to read on your handheld device or flip through the pages? How long can someone look at a computer screen without feeling exhausted and tired? There is a sense of command that we feel with our magazines and it should be welcomed information.
However, I do think that the number of publications will be reduced, but I don't see the industry being completely eliminated. 

(MB) What sort of measures has your publication put in place to either conserve costs or boost revenue?
(PM) Positive Magazine is very much focused on the environment so, we are already in conservation mode. We are now marketing our efforts and partnering with other media outlets.

(MB) Looking forward to 2009, do you have any significant changes in store for the new year?
(PM) We will continue to work hard and remain Positive. The economic situation can bring a lot of good virtues and we want to be prepared for the good that comes from weathering difficulty. 

(MB) How does your publication hire and, even more important, retain top sales personnel?
(PM) It's so difficult to find committed people. I really wish publications could share talent. At the end of the day, if it is to be then it's up to me. I'm really tired. 

To view advertising offers in Positive Magazine, click here. 

The Art-to-Art Palette began publishing in October 1988 as the national spokes media for Art-to-Art: Building Friendships Through Art 1986-2006, an Ohio-based k-12 national art education program. In the latter part of 2003, the Art-to-Art Palette began incorporating news and features on those within its founding grassroots of Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana. Ben Rayman, editorial director, responded to Mediabids' questions.

(MB) Five years from now what role will publications like yours serve? For example, some people predict a complete migration to the web for many types of publications, do you?
(AAP) The Art-to-Art Palette will continue to serve the Arts and Educational communities and will stay on its present print and electronic course. 

(MB) What sort of measures has your publication put in place to either conserve costs or boost revenue?

 Full Throttle Magazine is a free monthly motorcycle magazine celebrating its 12th anniversary this month. Full  Throttle is for the motorcycle enthusiast. Editor Tony Cianci responded to Mediabids' questions.
 

(MB) Five years from now what role will publications like yours serve? For example, some people predict a complete migration to the web for many types of publications. Do you? 

  Osprey Observer Newspapers are direct-mailed community newspapers in the Brandon, FL area. Publisher Marie Gilmore responded to the questions below. 

 (MB) Five years from now what role will publications like yours serve? For example, some people predict a complete migration to the web for many types of publications, do you?
(OON) Being a direct-mailed, small-town-focus community newspaper, I predict that we will continue to have a print version strongly complemented by an actively updated website. We are like a cup of coffee, good news welcome for many of our readers and that is read cover to cover.

(MB) What sort of measures has your publication put in place to either conserve costs or boost revenue?
(OON) We are being conservative in our expansion, have frozen salaries and bonuses and will not replace anyone who leaves, except sales. We are looking to boost revenue by becoming more effective with our follow up and retention of current clients and in building new ones. We have to work a little harder to maintain.

(MB)Looking forward to 2009, do you have any significant changes in store for the new year?
(OON) For 2009, I think we will continue to become more effective with what we are doing and will continue to use the www.ospreyobserver.com website to complement our efforts.

(MB) What was your most successful advertising initiative in the past 12 months?
(OON) We initiated a Shop Local campaign with stories and links on our website to encourage readers to utilitize local businesses. It has brought new attention to our newspaper and has gotten people talking.

(MB) Do you have tips for other publications about the best way to integrate print and web sales?
(OON)Web sales are tough. Do you charge by the impression, the click or the position? We are using website banner positions as a complement to the print campaign and still working out the kinks. Advice is always welcome!

(MB) How does your publication hire and - even more important - retain top sales personnel?
(OON) We only hire part-time staff to start who must prove themselves and work their way into a full-time position. For those with confidence, it doesn’t take long to move up and we ease them into the work environment. We are also very flexible and understand that staff want to put family first and be able to be their own bosses. I put out expectations and then allow the sales staff to achieve them.

Finally, a question for our readers from Ms. Gilmore:
I am looking for the most cost-effective and efficient way to publish our entire publication online in a ready to read format. I want to take our pdfs and upload them easily…I have heard of subscription services but would love some advice.

Los Angeles Newsweek is a weekly, Fil-Asian American newspaper circulated in California. Sam Azurel, the Publisher, was nice enough to provide us with further insight into his publication.

(MB) How did your publication start, and who are your readers?
(LAN) Los Angeles Newsweek is an Asian-American publication that started in February 2004. I must say we had some humble beginnings, from only two people as founders -- me as publisher and my friend, Margie Ramos as editor-in-chief --- until we grew into a strong and talented, 20-abled staff, in addition to off and on news contributors, freelance photographers and account managers. And I am proud that despite the existing economic downturn affecting all publications, we maintain our quality of journalism and bring the latest news from the Philippines, Asia and America. Our readers, comprised of Asian-American communities, so far have been loyal to our publication since its birth four years ago. And to tell you honestly, they are still getting larger in numbers the longer we are in the business. Our publication is distributed all over Los Angeles County and Las Vegas. We also make special distribution arrangements when an advertiser who is out of our areas of distribution makes a specific request for circulation.

(MB)  How has the web impacted your circulation?
(LAN) Our website www.lanewsweek.net is one of the greatest assets we have in maintaining our ranks as one of the leading newspapers in the Asian-American community. Through our website those who cannot get a copy or missed it, can check out our website for the latest news, success stories in business, love life, spiritual success, movies, television, video and music. They can also check out the latest programs, grants, announcements and activities from the community and entire Los Angeles County. Our readers know that they can also check our classified ads for a good find, sale, rent or employment. Our sales have soared tremendously - up to 50%  -  because of our website and we are able to reach prospective and non-prospective advertisers not only regionally, but worldwide through it. The web certainly has helped us reach a greater set of readers not only here in America but also in Asia and around the world. Needless to say, we couldn't have made it without our website to keep us active and afloat.

(MB) Which type of advertisers have the most success in your publication?
(LAN) Most of our advertisers are real estate investors and mortgage loan companies. We have two particular real estate
companies who also started from scratch and who have been with us since we started. These are Filipino friends whom we have helped. They started as real estate agents in one of the prestigious real estate companies that recently folded due to the real estate slump. When they found themselves unemployed, they used their savings, their huge marketing talent and skills to start their own company. One started a real estate home loan company and the other became a realtor and created his own pool of real estate agents with his family and relatives as staff. We featured their success stories in our publication and in our website as a bonus supplement for their continuously advertising and supporting Los Angeles Newsweek all these years. They claimed their businesses have never been the same since Los Angeles Newsweek!

(MB) What is the greatest challenge faced by your publication?
(LAN)Our greatest challenge, which other publications likely face, is how to maintain a roster of advertisers and how to get more advertisers everyday to keep the publication afloat. We know that advertisements are the lifeblood of every newspaper, including one of America's leading paper, the L.A. Times. In this regard, we are really trying to double our efforts to improve our paper in terms of quality and market so we can increase our sales.

(MB) Is your publication making any notable changes in 2008?
(LAN) We are formulating a new format for the paper starting next month to make it more appealing and more upbeat to reach more of the younger genre. 

You can view current advertising opportunities in Los Angeles Newsweek by Clicking Here