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: facebook-25506863

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

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:27:34 +0000

I don't think you can assume that in all cases, Gossip Blogging is a "passion" for those who write gossip blogs. There is certainly "passion" for money, but I doubt the people at the top two gossip blogs are really Beyonce and Rihanna stans and do this for the love of celebrity stanning, or even Black media for that matter. Don't get it twisted. In fact, I think those who are able to discern their emotion from the business side are able to execute more effectively within their vertical.

I need everybody to log on the compete.com and run your favorite gossip blog's stats against VIBE.com and tell me that VIBE Media group can't run a competitive website, traffic-wise.

Please all the web nerds need to take a seat at the table and listen to "old media's" side. I think old and new can learn from each other, versus each other pointing the fingers at eash other and assuming they can't succeed together or in tandem.

By: facebook-706665238

facebook-706665238 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:49:32 +0000

Loved Markus question of "Why the mag?" because I was asking the same thing only I was yelling at my laptop. I actually think there is a business in the mag but not in it's currentl monthly format. Had a great conversation the other day with my friend @bevysmith who actually used to work at Vibe and we both agreed that a higher end, glossy that came out 4x per year with beautiful photos and could live on your coffee table is a better look. Angela-GREAT QUESTION about how to compete with celebrity twitter. While I think there is a place for TheMost.com in covering the culture, mags (and all media) have to realize that celebs are creating their own media channels and finally getting that these tools enable the ability to "tell their story" all the time. My new agency EVERYWHERE has a few celebrity clients who are doing this. One of my clients is Jane Fonda; different audience but we are using her blog and twitter to tell her story in her own voice. In fact I had her live tweet The Tony Awards and we were scooping traditional media outlets and their "twitter squads" b/c Jane obviously had better access.

Great interview guys. I wish my friend Danyel Smith (who has become a great twitterer and podcaster) all the best and I'm confident that she will do well if supported by the current regime. LIke me she too is from the Bay Area and we are just built differently than ya'll.....LOL.

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:49:04 +0000

I think some of you are missing the point about the print part–the actual magazine is printing twice a year, from what I can tell. So, for that I'd give them a pass because the print issues in turn become a marketing agent–advertising for the site. What web-original properties have issues on stands? What gossip blogs have any kind of advertising inside Barnes & Nobles or in the aisle at Kroger? If the gossip blogs could do some media buys on old media (TV, radio, print) their traffic would explode even further. Ask Russell Simmons about GlobalGrind's traffic in relation to mentions on MTVs Run's House. I'm pretty sure YBF has seen an uptick in traffic with being on Big Boy's Neighborhood syndicated across the country.

Now, if VIBE published this magazine WEEKLY, I'd give them the side eye. Once or twice a year? Not so much…

At the end of the day I think VIBE Media Group is making a smart move to help save themselves in this climate. In theory, they should have better resources and connections than your average gossip blog (publicists, advertising, celebrities, photographers), and that is why they have a chance to hold up against your MediaTakeOuts, Bossips, and YBFs. Can the most mag take out these other blogs? Not sure, time will tell, but they are def light years ahead of any Joe on the street who starts a blog on BlogSpot/WordPress today (which is incidentally how most of the current kings of black gossip started, years ago).

By: Netdoc66

Netdoc66 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:08:09 +0000

I agree, “Why the Magazine?” Print IS dead.