tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post100403339396678482..comments2024-03-29T04:13:33.018-05:00Comments on MARTHA MOMENTS: The Summer Issue: Thumbs Up! (A Review)ANDREW RITCHIEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-32164402665569325042013-09-02T19:59:54.026-05:002013-09-02T19:59:54.026-05:00I'm usually on board with brands changing with...I'm usually on board with brands changing with the times. I'm not on board with this one. <br /><br />I go to Martha Stewart for her amazing attention to detail, wide scapes (instead of focused close-ups), in-depth themes, and overall upgraded examples of creativity in daily living. She would list every tool you could ever need to carve a pumpkin, create beautifully detailed Easter eggs, decorate every corner of a child's bedroom. I never tried to BE Martha, because she was the best of the best. But I loved gleaming bits and pieces of her brilliance to place into my life. I aspired to be a MSL photographer because of the grandness and distinct style. I wanted to create photos that were undeniably Martha.<br /><br />From what I see of this issue, it could be any blog, any magazine. It looks just like the rest. I know there's a lot of marketplace pressure (as a content contributor, I know that pressure firsthand), but MSL was a masterpiece. This is a complete overhaul, one that doesn't reflect Martha's essence at all. I can FEEL the bend to the industry. Desperation doesn't look good on Martha.<br /><br />Cutting down on wording makes sense to me in a content-saturated world. People want quick. I hate to see great writing go by the wayside, though.Catherine Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00306136051801331703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-6009969224007114372013-08-08T09:13:45.738-05:002013-08-08T09:13:45.738-05:00I've always loved the summer issues of MSL. I...I've always loved the summer issues of MSL. I don't mind the changes at all; in fact, looking at the photos here reminds me how good it is. Having said that, MSLO has been declining since the Imclone scandal. It's been very long, and the company has certainly put up a fight, but once people lose interest, it's over. The whole thing is similar to JCP; the fact that they are so much better now than before is lost. People have moved on. I wish both companies well. And I encourage them to do whatever it takes to survive, but both brands are tainted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-12319520540061387652013-08-04T08:26:58.980-05:002013-08-04T08:26:58.980-05:00Thanks for the comment, Regine. I throw out many o...Thanks for the comment, Regine. I throw out many old magazines, but I keep ALL of Martha's. They are the only ones I keep. I know that I would regret giving away even a single issue, so I keep them all. As for the new layout, I think it take time for readers to get used to it. I do agree that the paper is a bit thin and flimsy.ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-75444698959318247742013-08-03T15:53:09.240-05:002013-08-03T15:53:09.240-05:00I subscribed and have just received the July/Augus...I subscribed and have just received the July/August. Although the heart of the magazine is there, simply said, the white space is pointless for the reader and the paper is cheap. It appears that it's change for the sake of change and nothing stood out as an improvement. I kick now myself for recently purging and throwing out many back issues......Reginehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17557923285477772055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-38820408281694615902013-07-04T17:22:08.613-05:002013-07-04T17:22:08.613-05:00Well said, anonymous!! In a word, simlpified, dum...Well said, anonymous!! In a word, simlpified, dumbed-down. Very possibility the beginning of the end of a innovative, high-styled publication. Let's see what happens next. . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-36476189178302738912013-07-03T09:52:31.795-05:002013-07-03T09:52:31.795-05:00Andrew, in response to your response of June 30, I...Andrew, in response to your response of June 30, I gave it another look and while it's a perfectly fine magazine, it really isn't Martha Stewart Living anymore. All the little odds & ends have been expanded while the more substantive stuff is diminished.<br />Except for cooking. Now food & recipes turn up in almost every section! Since when are recipes part of Good Things? Since now, I guess. <br />I like the clearly defined sections except they don't flow, not only because of all the food but as in the case of "Our Finds" - it starts with the picture of Barbara Shaum's footwear but you turn the page looking for more and instead get two pages on San Francisco and a page of stuff to buy. You don't see Shaum again until five pages later and then it's just two small paragraphs on a really interesting artisan.<br />I am not averse to change, but New MSL seems like New Coke.<br />I feel the perceived need to appeal to a younger, wider demographic has ruined TV and will probably ruin magazine publishing. So many of my favorite mags have already disappeared. <br />New MSL feels like it was designed for people with ADD but I hope it will find new readers. I just don't see myself renewing my subscription and I've been there since the beginning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-52850984532624317222013-06-30T09:56:59.644-05:002013-06-30T09:56:59.644-05:00Don't be sorry! I'm actually surprised mor...Don't be sorry! I'm actually surprised more people aren't as disappointed as you are, Anonymous. As I said in the post, I feel that I am likely a minority in my love of the new changes. ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-58374589125208731852013-06-30T09:53:08.563-05:002013-06-30T09:53:08.563-05:00I usually agree with you but in this case I just c...I usually agree with you but in this case I just can't. <br />Mind you, I've only looked through the magazine once but I was bored. Didn't see anything I wanted to linger over.<br />The thing I always loved about the magazine was the dazzling beauty, thought and creativity that went into each page. Why do I want to see more white space? <br />The content veers from cooking to gardening to cooking to travel to cooking to something else, like they couldn't make up their minds about anything.<br />But I'll give it another look. In general, though, my feeling is Martha doesn't follow, she leads.<br />Leave the white space and pithy stuff to Real Simple and the other very fine mags that you have turned us on to, but let Martha be Martha.<br />Sorry, I'm disappointed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-90992540024883352372013-06-28T15:49:01.008-05:002013-06-28T15:49:01.008-05:00I too miss the serious articles. Being a subscribe...I too miss the serious articles. Being a subscriber since the second issue I used to read the magazine from cover to cover - appreciating the fact that I didn't have to turn more than one page to continue. These days I feel that the content has been dumbed down and the inclusion of Everyday Food is no substitute for MS Living's content as the people at MSL have been trying to persuade me that it is. It looks like the magazine is going the way of the show - very sadAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-34602716751191705232013-06-27T11:47:49.970-05:002013-06-27T11:47:49.970-05:00I agree with you 100%, love the new (former?) layo...I agree with you 100%, love the new (former?) layout, but miss the content terribly!<br /><br />I will forever hope for a return to the plentiful content that once was Martha Stewart Living magazine. I know this makes me a dinosaur because the trends clearly point us towards on-line content - but there is so much lacking in it I can't stand it. <br /><br />Oh, and while you're at it... Please mark me down for the return of Martha by Mail too!<br /><br />xo Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17283941721180439222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-68983266635234425402013-06-26T08:23:00.164-05:002013-06-26T08:23:00.164-05:00Thank you, Catherine! I do agree about with you. F...Thank you, Catherine! I do agree about with you. For a double issue (July & August) it's quite thin. Like all magazines, they're struggling with ad sales. I'm hoping for the best.ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-29269420566542729442013-06-26T05:32:43.220-05:002013-06-26T05:32:43.220-05:00I am still processing how I feel about the issue. ...I am still processing how I feel about the issue. I love the clean, open layout and design. It looks modern and feels fresh. The photography is beautiful. I also like the concise instructions for recipes and projects. However, the issue feels less substantive and maybe because it is a summer issue. I look forward to the September issue. Also, Andrew thank you for your blog. I am so happy when you make a new post. You have so much useful and interesting information. Catherine from Connecticutnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-55032975580451456632013-06-22T05:39:08.772-05:002013-06-22T05:39:08.772-05:00@ Anonymous #3, I'm glad you look forward to m...@ Anonymous #3, I'm glad you look forward to my next post. Thank you so much. I find the new design very exciting.ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-19447109289455646812013-06-21T20:28:31.582-05:002013-06-21T20:28:31.582-05:00I'm warming up to the look and design of the m...I'm warming up to the look and design of the magazine. (Change is difficult for me). More importantly, I look forward to your blog as much as receiving my new issue of Living. Keep up the great work!<br />A FanI'm warming up to the look and design of the magazine. (Change is difficult for me). More importantly, I look forward to your blog as much as receiving my new issue of Living. Keep up the great work!<br />A Fan<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-68855810575050937492013-06-21T16:07:46.760-05:002013-06-21T16:07:46.760-05:00@ Andrew and Ailsa, thank you for the high praise!...@ Andrew and Ailsa, thank you for the high praise! @ Anonymous #2 I agree with your suggestion to make Martha's name more prominent. It's a must.ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-55328548113948180022013-06-21T06:16:27.835-05:002013-06-21T06:16:27.835-05:00Hi Andrew. I have been reading your blog in the UK...Hi Andrew. I have been reading your blog in the UK for a long time and in part you have inspired me to start my own with a similar focus. Only 1 post so far - but getting there! As a Martha fan and subscriber to Living I'm looking forward to getting this issue when it eventually makes it across the pond! Hope they don't dumb down the content too much - I like the extended writing and in depth articles. Keep up the good work!<br />AndrewAJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01888544174447286604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-35999178438073485492013-06-20T23:32:26.535-05:002013-06-20T23:32:26.535-05:00Loving the simplicity! I hope it stays this way. O...Loving the simplicity! I hope it stays this way. One thing I would change though is that I wish Martha Stewart's name was bigger than the word 'Living'. I think it would attract people more who see it on newsstands.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-7478318555115230702013-06-20T21:24:56.608-05:002013-06-20T21:24:56.608-05:00You are a genius Andrew. I agree; this new layout...You are a genius Andrew. I agree; this new layout and production is spot on. I am loving Pilar's take on things, if it is her doing...<br />You also got me onto Pure Green and Anthology, and now I've subscribed to Wilder as well. These glorious new mags are the new standard and the old standbys like MSL would do well to pay attention. I will pay more money for something of high quality with few ads just to get my money's worth. Ailsahttp://www.hortus2.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-21951876512290195222013-06-20T14:39:52.328-05:002013-06-20T14:39:52.328-05:00Love the new layout--you've totally nailed the...Love the new layout--you've totally nailed the feeling--that the pages draw you in and make you hungry for more. I agree with you also--I miss the writing. Somehow the soundbites fall short and make me feel like something is missing. As a charter subscriber, I would look forward to each issue and savor it for several hours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com