If newsletters were popular in 2019, I think they became more essential in 2020, a year that I describe as too much and too little. Yes, too much pain for many families, especially those of the very sick and dying, too much anxiety and uncertainty for all, and too little hope that things would get better anytime soon.
More time, more newsletters: More people with more time to sit at home and read, study, contemplate and meditate gave newsletters another good reason to exist. Now 2021 appears to be another mega year for newsletters.
Why newsletters’ popularity: The ultimate study about newsletters remains to be done (calling Masters and Ph. D. candidates!), but I was telling my students Monday that newsletters are like a multivitamin pill we take first thing in the morning. We know that it is all good and all there. A good newsletter gives us the fill. With so much information bombarding us, newsletters are that teddy bear or blanket that makes you feel that your trusted newsletter editor/writer has curated all you need. From, Vitamin A to Z.
Forbes and newsletters: Forbes has just announced plans to expand its newsletter publishing, in what is an interesting approach: hire 25-30 writers with a good following and allow them to join Forbes with employee perks, but also share income from their newsletters with Forbes. We will see how that works. For more go here: https://www.axios.com/forbes-paid-newsletter-subscriptions-ab423ae1-0b90-4863-acad-40a373adce80.html
TheMarioBlog follows a newsletter format: In case you have not noticed yet, as we return to daily blog writing, I am going to experiment with a concept I call the “blogletter” which is basically offering short snippets of information. Of course, we may occasionally deal with a single topic, as we have done sine the start of TheMarioBlog. However, it is my intention to treat content here more in the style of a briefing or newsletter. Let me know what you think
Newsletters in my class: This is no longer a 15-minute conversation in my Columbia University class. Instead, the creation of a newsletter for a publication that does not yet have one is now a major Midterm assignment. If your organization is contemplating the creation of a newsletter, and if you would like to see how these young, talented Columbia journalism students would tackle it, send me an email with details at mario@garciamedia.com
*Why it matters: Teaching journalism today is challenging because there isn’t a single course that can cover all that we think our students need to be prepared for their first professional job. I aim to provide as many opportunities for students to create a portfolio that shows prospective employers how the student can handle more than just the writing of a story. Learning how to write, edit and design a newsletter can be an asset when it comes to that job interview.
This gem of a new book lets infographics tell story of Chile
From earthquakes to museums: Here is a beautifully designed and illustrated new book, Chile Infográfico, co authored by two of Chile’s most prolific and talented infographic artists, Juan Pablo Bravo and Marcelo Cáceres A., whose work with national newspapers like El Mercurio, and La Tercera has garnered them a multitude of awards. They have applied their talent to create a very pedagogical catalog of the best of Chile, from geographic features to flora, fauna and including an impressive explanation of earthquakes, biodiversity, speech peculiarities (“How we talk”) and museums.
From one of the authors: “Chile infografica is an educational book in which we use the language of infographics to present information to the reader in a more didactic and dynamic way. Here the text and the graphics work together as a whole to communicate the contents,” says co-author Juan Pablo Bravo.
A book of contrasts: In an email to me, Bravo explains that It is a book of contrasts, where you can find technical information, such as the limits, history or geography of the territory, and, on the other hand, more friendly or entertaining information about its inhabitants and customs.
Most of the development of the book is dedicated to the investigation, selection and categorization of the topics., Bravo adds. Then, “we focus on defining how to graph and visualize this information in each of the pages, identifying different graphic elements (maps, diagrams, statistical graphics, illustrations, etc.) that help us in the delivery of these contents.”
The book is in Spanish: At the moment, the book can only be purchased in Chile’s bookstores and through the publisher , https://www.tiendasm.cl/produccion/web/libro/2313.However, the book will be available in a digital format soon.
Why this book matters; Bravo, muchachos, this book should be required reading for all school children in Chile–and their parents, too. For the rest of us, a good reference book and a fabulous example of the important role that infographics play in conveying information.
Remembering two industry greats
The new year has begun with sad news for me with the loss of two dear friends, two giants of our industry whom I am honored to also call my dear friends. Here are my tributes as published in Facebook recently:
Olivier Royant, editor in chief, Paris Match: RIP, Olivier Royant. I admired your passion for journalism, for what Paris Match stood for and the important role of visuals and photography. I remember dozens of lunches and dinners, sharing champagne and stories. Olivier always took out a small note pad and wrote copious notes when we talked and told me: “Mario, you teach me so much.” You got it wrong, Olivier. YOU are the one who taught me valuable lessons about content selection, photo reportages, and why passion and devotion are the essentials for what makes a unique editor. I want you to know that I have completed 730 projects, but you will always rank as one of the top editors with whom I have had the honor of working. I remember the dinner that summer day in Paris when you first told me you had been diagnosed with cancer. I could hardly eat and my champagne got warm because I knew that type of cancer and its consequences. My wife, too, died from it. I admired you for the way you continued to fight and to be a presence in the newsroom(they tell me you were in the newsroom working Dec. 18) . Last month you proudly sent me the cover of Paris Match with the Joe Biden victory.
Role model for many: You have been a role model for your generation of journalists. You will always be for me too. More importantly, I will remember the good times we had and the lessons I learned from you. My condolences to Delphine and the children. Au revoir, mon cher ami.
Below a photo I treasure of Olivier and I reviewing sketches for the latest redesign of Paris Match in 2018.
In TheMarioBlog: Paris Match updates its design
https://garciamedia.com/blog/paris-match-updating-its-design/
Bryan Monroe, a visionary of the industry: Bryan Monroe, died suddenly January 13 at 56. Bryan and I talked on the phone a week before his death, comparing notes about our upcoming courses, Temple for him, Columbia for me. He was an inspiration from the time he was in his 20s. I “discovered” Bryan as we worked together in a Miami Herald special project. We became instant friends and colleagues. I have learned much from Bryan, a true visual journalist, engaged with the craft and always making himself better. Our profession has lost this smart, talented and very professional journalist. He gave everything he did 100%. He has inspired many and we will always remember this big bear of a man who always welcomed me with a famous bear hug. Rest In Peace, my dear friend. I am honored that he called me his “forever mentor”. I am proud to have called him my friend.
The Bryan Monroe Scholarship Fund at Temple University: For contributions, go here:
https://www.giving.temple.edu/s/705/giving/16/interior.aspx?sid=705&gid=1&pgid=12854
Professors: get your review version of The Story on time for fall classes
As an academic, I know the importance of having the right tools to advance our students, especially on the important subject of mobile storytelling. Please drop me an email if you would like to sample The Story in its digital edition: mario@garciamedia.com
Start writing or type / to choose a block
The full trilogy of The Story now available–3 books to guide you through a mobile first strategy. Whether you’re a reporter, editor, designer, publisher, corporate communicator, The Story is for you! https://amazon
TheMarioBlog post # 3264