I have been with Folio: for eight years now. In that time I have seen a lot of ups and downs in magazines and publishing. Mass layoffs, bankruptcies, brand closures and misplaced bets have often dominated our headlines and the narratives around our industry. While all of those unfortunate situations are part of the realities of our constantly changing businesses, they aren’t the only stories we have to tell.
In my time here I have met some of the smartest, most innovative and likable people—both at my own company and out in the general publishing community. I have witnessed the launches of insanely smart and cutting-edge products. I have read literally hundreds of thousands of expertly written words from thousands of engaging stories in countless magazines and websites. I have been awed by brilliant design and photography that accompany such stories. And I have been truly inspired by the optimism and pride many of us have about the professional paths we have chosen.
But today, as I write this column safely in my home, in the midst of a global crisis, I can’t help but think about where things go from here and how we can help you get through this.
As an industry, publishing in the U.S. has survived the Civil War, two world wars, pandemics, natural disasters and recessions. And here we are, once again, facing an uncertainty as COVID-19 spreads rapidly across the country and the globe. But as we have in the past, we will get through this.
I wish I had a crystal ball to tell you what’s to come. I wish I had prescriptive solutions to help each and every one of your businesses weather this storm. I don’t. But what I can do is tell you that we here at Folio: will continue to do what we have done for nearly 50 years—help you manage your publishing business profitably.
We will do our best to stay on top of this situation through the lens of our community. We will explore how publishers are navigating this difficult time. We will be committed to telling stories about how to pivot your business to minimize the economic impact of COVID-19, and maintain healthy top and bottom lines.
We will not make uninformed predictions or recommendations in such a volatile time. We will not sugarcoat the truth, but we will look for optimistic points of view. We will not sensationalize the impact of this virus, but we will deliver news and information that’s important to our community.
We can’t do any of this alone, however. I am calling on everyone in our community to help us move forward. Your voices are more important to us than ever. Please contact us with questions and concerns. Tell us how we can help you. Tell us how you can help your peers. We are all in this together.
Our industry is at a point of inflection. What exactly the future holds is uncertain. However, what is certain is that publishing has a future. So it’s on all of us to shape that future from this moment on.
