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Originally Posted by Strontium  I buy your the magazine you work for (National Geographic?), and I notice that they have gross contradictions in their interests. They always feature adverts for rediculous 4x4s, jewelry, and airlines. Its quite amusing, but then again, I could decide not to buy it. |
To clarify, I don't work for the magazine. I'm on permanent retainer as a filmmaker for the National Geographic Society.
Your argument and points are valid but also relate pretty much to every commercially available newspaper, magazine or publication. You will always find advertising from the multi nationals gracing quarter, full or double page spreads, and more. The print industry relies heavily on advertising revenue to offset production costs. Do you think NG or any other publication is going to turn down the tens of thousands of dollars in advertising revenues it charges from these, and other, industries in order to appear 'politically correct' and in tune with potential editorials it may carry to the detriment of said industries? I really don't think so.
Many years ago, pre Cable TV, pre Digital Revolution there were but a few select magazines gracing the racks in our local news agents. At that time publications such as National Geographic had a much greater reader base than that of today. In the past ten or so years there has been an explosion in the publication of target interest media. That is to say there are specific magazines for all kinds of interest groups. With that splintering of media interest came a reduction in subscriptions to many of the once market leading magazines, National Geographic included. This I believe is why you do now, and will continue to, see such advertisements gracing the pages of this particular publication.
Given your argument for that, will you not only be discontinuing future purchasing of The National Geographic Society publication but every other publication you may currently be partial too? If not then why do you single out one publication to be at greater fault than others? The print industry in general is not, after all, the most environmentally friendly of all.
Sincerely,
Mark.