Nittanym’s Weblog

Publication Choice 

 Description  

 Men’s Journal is a monthly lifestyle magazine with content described by management as directed toward ”achievement oriented men who are active, adventurous and love to travel.”

The “MJ” is published by Wenner Media, also known for Rolling Stone and US. It has a paid circulation of 700,000. About eighty percent of the content is provided by free-lance writers. Articles of general interest run between 400 and 1200 words, while feature articles may be more than 2000 words.

I am planning to provide content for a section of the magazine designated as “health and fitness”. This section regularly provides it’s readers with information and background on  issues with advice on understanding and using results from studies published in technical medical  and other journals. The section may critque these finding, tending to be rather brash and iconoclastic in its approach. The goal of this section appears to be  to provide its audience with practical advise on issues of health based on understanding the implications of new medical knowledge.

Demographics

The magazine does not have a significant international presence. It has published a general description of its paid readership.

Male 88%                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Median Age 37.4                                                                                                
Married 55.8%                                                                                                                
Median Income  $71,559

Online Content    

The online edition of the magazine displays a navigation bar along the left hand side. One box opens a menu of articles to the health and fitness section. (example). This navigation format to a clearly defined list of articles provides ease of access to viewers directing them with clear choices of more detailed text of interest to them.  I will suggest that some attempt at subgrouping of articles with additional sub-headings be provided. As the study book indicates, this will leave some free space and make the article selections page appear less “busy”. Despite the appeal of the high color contrast to viewers who are overwhelmingly male, the unspoken message of the periodical is that it is content rich. I will not want to lose that message, but will attempt to “chunk” some of the article material to allow the scanning audience some relief. It should be noted that one cannot ignore the twelve percent of the female audience though it is difficult to address them directly given the magazine’s clearly defined male audience . I will survey this group to obtain a better understanding of their particular draw to men’s issues.

Since our audience is defined as mature American male, we have less concern about cultural issues in this context. The content dealing with sexuality does so unoffensively and almost clinically.  Again, we wish to draw a distinction between this publication and those competitors whose appeal is more emotional and sensational.     

The organization of MJ Online is non-linear in its early pages. This encourages scanning and allows the user many ways to interact with the content. As the reader enters more text heavy areas of interest the site becomes more linear. This organization appears to closely follow that recommended by Lynch and Horton.

Readers of Men’s Journal, both the print and online versions, also receive information from similar publications such as GQ, Esquire, or Outside Magazine . Specific medical coverage, I believe, is one of the assets of MJ that differentiates it from it’s competitors. I will, therefore advocate for further emphasis on these issues with a feature article each three months with the health and fitness section enlarging on issues that have been covered in a more superficial way in these features. As the target group for the magazine ages, both the online and print edition should evolve. Part of this evolution will be a greater interest in managing chronic illnesses while minimizing limitations on active lifestyles.

 Style Manual  

In order to learn more about the editorial practices including the use of a style manual, I have sent an email to the MJ office with a query about this. I have also made an inquiry to Bob Arnot MD, a frequent contributor to the health and fitness section of Men’s Journal and a former classmate. I asked him to share any information about the magazine’s style guidance. If there is no current policy I will use the Chicago Manual of Style.

My first shot at content will be a short piece on preventing seasickness titled Mal de Mer.

I will provide a brief introduction emphasizing it’s frequency and expected reaction of avoidance of on-water activities and offering hope that seasickness can frequently be prevented.

Then I will offer a brief explanation of the physiology involved with the condition with links to sites of interest to those who wish to know more. I will develop one such link myself. Links will be provided to one site that attempts to produce online motion sickness (video) and to interesting data on other forms of motion sickness such as “Amusement ride sickness” and Video Game Sickness described in over one half of adolescents who play these games for over an hour at a time!

Predisposing conditions and lifestyle factors thought to make one vulnerable to seasickness will then be delineated as a basis for recommendations for prevention.

A brief review of the symptoms of seasickness and the expected outcome in various situations will be covered. I will provide my own designed link for those looking for more detail.

Recommendations for first aide handling of sufferers will come next along with recommendations for how to prevent progression of the condition if identified early.

I will then lay out a seven point plan that has been shown to prevent motion sickness in over eighty percent of people predisposed.

This will include tips for use of alcohol and what to eat and what to avoid before a day on the water. Advice on needed rest will be offered.

Various approaches to phamaceuticals will be provided. This will be very brief. I will provide information on herbal remedies that have been shown to be helpful. Each will have links to more extensive coverage of these “treatments” for the viewer who wants more detail.

I will end with restatement in the form of a chart of the seven point prevention plan with the usual disclaimer that individuals with medical conditions or taking other medication should consult with their personal physican.

I intend to finish with an admonishment to those with prior experience of seasickness to try going out on the water again after following the guidelines offered.

I’m so grateful we had this “breather”. I got a running start on this as you can see through the link provided above or by going directly to the Mal de Mer tab.