Comments on: Audio: Interview with Vibe’s Chief Content Officer Danyel Smith

By: Wayne Sutton

Wayne Sutton — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:01:27 +0000

Interesting

By: Danyel Smith named Executive Editor of theRoot | Black Web 2.0

Danyel Smith named Executive Editor of theRoot | Black Web 2.0 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:55:14 +0000

[...] Smith was named this morning as theRoot’s Executive Editor reports the NYTimes. We recently interviewed Danyel not long ago when she was at Vibe. She is replacing Lynette Clemetson who was the Managing Editor [...]

By: VIBE Shuts Down Today | Black Web 2.0

VIBE Shuts Down Today | Black Web 2.0 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:14:44 +0000

[...] are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.GlobalGrind and Gawker are reporting from unconfirmed sources that VIBE Magazine is shutting down today, an announcement [...]

By: MKRob’s Fave Five Reads Of The Week | MKRob’s Sports Blog

MKRob’s Fave Five Reads Of The Week | MKRob’s Sports Blog — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:55:16 +0000

[...] Black Web 2.0’s – Audio: Interview with Vibe’s Chief Content Officer Danyel Smith [...]

By: Nokware Knight

Nokware Knight — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:47:02 +0000

Candid Q&A is a good thing. There are agreeable and abrasive ways to address issues, but its most important that the questions actually be asked. Everyone, especially the audience/community, comes away learning more than they might have otherwise.

The most interesting thing about the Q&A on this site is that top players at these media companies seem to actually feel accountable for their answers and Markus and Angela ask the important questions. That is something you don't seem to get much of on sites like allthingsd.com or bnet.com, despite how good they may be. That only benefits the community.

By: Netdoc66

Netdoc66 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:17:34 +0000

@markusrobinson, homie. Any interview that sparks dialogue is a GOOD interview.

By: markusrobinson

markusrobinson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:06:33 +0000

I agree most of the views pertaining to relevance of the magazine industry, but I would be remiss if I didn’t correct one misconception about this interview, Black Web 2.0 has nothing but love for old/print media, and the last thing I wanted this interview to be was battle between the mediums. I believe we all can learn from each other, and our intentions going into the interview was to foster that learning process by creating a conversation that would focus on understanding, and sharing Vibe's strategy during the creation and launch of a brand new property. I’ll be the first to admit that I did not do a great job controlling the interview, but I don’t want to leave you all with the impressions that our interviews are anything more than our opportunity to learn and share from industry experts, and folks we believe are doing it right!

I want to also mention, that I really appreciate all of the comments! It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing, it’s about creating a civil dialog. Regardless of if we agree or no I want to hear your opinions. Your comments are what help complete the conversation. Thanks again!

By: facebook-25506863

facebook-25506863 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:22:07 +0000

First and foremost, this woman is a person to be respected. She has been on the journalism grind for a minute. One of the first articles I have ever read about 2pac was from her. So at the end of the day we cant fault her for being the dinosaur that she is. The web is a concept that she cant fully grasp. I honestly dont think she even plans on being in the game for the next 10 to 15 years. So she is holding on to her print baby for dear life. Having said that I agree with all the questions Marcus asked and what Geezy is saying. Have we noticed a pattern with these audio interviews of representatives of stable brands? Bob Johnson doesn't have an email, Daynel Smith refuses to accept that she works for a dead tree company, and is killing the environment. I honestly hope her project succeeds, but to not embrace the internet which is free publicity for your print product is beyond me. Long story short she doesn't embrace the web for the same reason the record companies don't. She is right barnes and nobles and borders are still around (for now) but their main source of revenue is not magazines. Good luck to her and her endeavors

By: facebook-25506863

facebook-25506863 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:22:07 +0000

By: Damian Jamaal Denson

Damian Jamaal Denson — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:03:18 +0000

1. It seems like BlackWeb 2.0 and its readers have been blinded by their own web savvy. There are SO many people (particularly urban) who don't know nor give a damn about Twitter and only check C&D and Concrete Loop from work, if then! Those people will STILL buy magazines. It seems evident if the "lifestyle" model works as Danyel described with Vibe's previous "tabloid" issues.

2. I have Twitter and I'll be damned if I start checking for EVERY celebrity's tweets that I'm interested in. I'd rather have TheMostMag do that ish for me! Sorry, but I'd be happy to read a round up of what is going on on Twitter because I (and I know not many of us) am not on it ALL DAMN DAY! I think that that point by the interviewer is therefore moot.

3. Danyel's point about new technologies (radio -> television) remains her strongest. e-Readers like the Kindle and other Internet technology has existed but there remains room TODAY for the printed word. And just in case ya'll might be right...and the tables turn, it seems like Vibe Media was smart enough to partner each magazine with a sister/brother online edition. Now that sounds like a WIN|WIN, right!?

4. I'm rather shocked that the conversation would be about the future of print when she told ya'll there was an accompanying website. Shouldn't the conversation have focus on that particular content...in depth?!

5. I'm sorta disappointed in how combative the interview turned. She should have been allowed to promote her product not debate technologies. Just being honest...