Publisher Robert Fine Intensifies His Focus on Social Media and the Startup Community by Announcing a Partnership With Russell Johns Associates
Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 29, 2014 -- Author and entrepreneur Robert Fine has chosen Russell Johns Associates (http://russelljohns.com) as his preferred partner to extend the reach and scope of his two successful and influential publications: The Social Media Monthly and The Startup Monthly magazines.
Fine is the founder of the DC-based Social Media Insider, LLC, as well as the author of “The Big Book of Social Media Case Studies, Stories, Perspectives,” which has been selected as a textbook at 10 universities. He launched The Social Media Monthly (http://TheSocialMediaMonthly.com) in 2011, and it became “One of the 15 Hottest Launches” of the year, according to MIN, an organization that reports on the publishing industry.
He has equally high expectations for The Startup Monthly, which was introduced in January with an announced four-issue run; 10 issues are planned for 2015.
“Startup Monthly magazine will help empower startup activists and provide the education and resources necessary to help connect entrepreneurs and investors within the international startup community,” Fine said.
And Fine knows something about startups: He supported The Social Media Monthly through Kickstarter, acknowledged as “the world's largest funding platform for creative projects.” TSMM was successfully funded with 284 backers who collectively pledged $22,928, a figure that exceeded Fine’s financial goal.
“The Social Media Monthly is the first and only print magazine devoted exclusively to educating about the power and impact of social media for its readers,” its publisher said, adding that the magazine “is on the frontlines showing innovators, thought leaders, and everyday folks how to do something new, something different, and something more with social media.”
Russell Johns Associates became involved with Fine as he ushered in TSMM’s new sister publication, The Startup Monthly.
“As a trusted publisher’s representative, Russell Johns has been enhancing and developing advertising business strategies and furnishing solutions for publishers since 1968,” said Blaire Fanning, RJA’s CEO. “We provide customized, full-service representation for advertising sales, marketing, accounting and production services.”
Why did Fine select RJA?
“I’ve actually talked to a number of firms,” Fine said. “I’ve had plenty of firms tell me they love the content,” but those companies failed to fully grasp Fine’s vision.
“Blaire sees the same vision that I hold,” he said of RJA’s CEO.
Integrated into that visionary viewpoint is an appreciation of print as a viable and powerful media platform—an assessment not shared by some who see ink on paper as passé. Fine disagrees. He compares it to radio, following television’s acceptance and ascendance.
“TV came out, but radio is still an extremely powerful medium today,” he noted, adding that he sees “a huge opportunity” with premium print as part of the content blend—when packaged appropriately with digital.
“When I launched the magazine, it was never with the intent that print by itself would be the moneymaker or the majority, but rather a piece of the puzzle,” Fine explained. “There’s just something about that physical product—it’s tangible. The touch. It’s a great way to start the conversation.”
As a retail analyst at Forrester Research recently told Adweek, “There is a case to be made that print marketing still has a place,” adding that, “It’s not perceived as clutter—nobody has a bad impression of magazines—and it can be a very useful way to drive traffic to your core property.”
To learn more about The Social Media Monthly and The Startup Monthly magazines, visit http://TheSocialMediaMonthly.com. For information about Russell Johns Associates and how it helps advertisers and publishers, visit http://www.russelljohns.com or call (800) 237-9851.
ABOUT: For more than 40 years, Russell Johns Associates has supported publishers and advertisers in building working relationships that increase revenue potential and streamline processes. The Social Media Monthly and The Startup Monthly magazines are the newest members of the RJA family, which includes USA Today, Globe Group Publications and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Lisa Albritton - Accounting and Administrative Associate, Russell Johns Associates, http://www.russelljohns.com, +1 800-237-9851, [email protected]
Share this article