tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post4863733073837123521..comments2024-03-28T06:17:06.977-05:00Comments on MARTHA MOMENTS: New Year. New Look. New Focus.ANDREW RITCHIEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-41982723969431926492013-01-23T21:35:33.649-05:002013-01-23T21:35:33.649-05:00Just found your blog and what a great post. You ha...Just found your blog and what a great post. You have really captured what is so special about the brand and what is somewhat off right now. I have every issue of ML Living (expect issue #1!) as well as Blueprint and it has been interesting (and frustrating) watching the ebb and flow of things, especially recently. I teach graphic design and showcase the early issues of both of these publications and how they established new ground and raised the bar for editorial design. (I enjoyed reading your assessment of Blueprint.) <br /><br />I also saw the Wall Street Journal article and it gave me a dull headache thinking the magazine would fold. I love your assessment of the meaning and power of the magazine in relation to the brand. You should go work there. You get it and the potential. <br /><br />The reason I found your blog is I was trying to find out why Gael Towry left. I saw her name dropped from the masthead and knew something was up. Huge loss.<br /><br />Your point of view is sharp and focused. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.Rob Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03945752628777601286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-33279459077638269712013-01-23T05:48:51.873-05:002013-01-23T05:48:51.873-05:00Happy New Year, Andrew. Agree totally with your as...Happy New Year, Andrew. Agree totally with your assessment of the thinning of Living. It has felt like that to me for the longest time. <br /><br />Last year's issues were definitely an all-time low. The plastic surgery article was indeed awful. So, too, recent articles about celebrations for Martha's grandchildren. That felt over the top and out of kilter with many people's experiences and wage packet.<br /><br />Incredibly sad that Gael Towey has left. She is the creative wellspring and a classy person. Very strange that there is no mention of Gael's leaving on the MLSO website. I wish Gael the most beautiful next phase of her life.<br /><br />Sometimes, I have longed for the 'soul' to return and have bought Living in the hope that it will be there but maybe it is time for me, like Gael, to step away. I don't think the soul is coming back - the soulful people have largely left.<br /><br />This must have been an enormously thrilling ride for Martha. A 'rags' to riches tale. She now has a different life and I think the signs are that she wants to live that life to the full with her grandkids etc. I wouldn't be surprised if she wound up the company in coming years.<br /><br />Somebody else on here put 'spread your wings and fly'. Meaning for you to use your talent in other ways and for readers too to find pastures new. Maybe that is the point of the title: Living. To forget the Martha Stewart part and instead to live our own lives creatively, passionately and kindly. Happy New Year everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-4980011912233926952013-01-08T20:10:22.733-05:002013-01-08T20:10:22.733-05:00I totally agree with your comments. The latest iss...I totally agree with your comments. The latest issues of Living are so thin now and so much about makeup and fashion. I wnat the old Martha back. I still have my old issues and I still look at them all the time. The new ones i tend to look at once or twice then shelve them.<br />Also I read on previous blogs about people having old vhs of Martha's show or dvd's. I would love to buy these from anyone. I only have a few tapes from her old show and would love to see more. I live in Canada and the Hallmark channel was never available to watch her new show (although I really hated the studio audience and so many guests).<br />If anyone wants to give or sell their old dvd's or tapes please let me know. I have all the store bought dvd's as well. <br />Thanks for a great blog<br />homeofthehuskieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10317217384439626937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-47321474442232081292013-01-08T08:30:37.298-05:002013-01-08T08:30:37.298-05:00Thanks for all the info...I had no idea all that w...Thanks for all the info...I had no idea all that was going on behind the scenes. I just found your blog and will be following you. Miss Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13400224810952962825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-61666339787746268942013-01-07T01:50:41.760-05:002013-01-07T01:50:41.760-05:00Great article Andrew and I agree with you and with...Great article Andrew and I agree with you and with some of the comments posted. I hope this year will be a better and successful year for Martha and her company. Shes will always be an inspiration to me and many others around the world. Rowaidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03204354226986835316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-54292653894985156252013-01-06T12:31:04.860-05:002013-01-06T12:31:04.860-05:00Thanks for this informative article; I'm shock...Thanks for this informative article; I'm shocked and saddened to hear the brand is struggling so much. Perhaps she oversaturated herself. The MS brand is in many of the big box stores. I will definitely miss the television programming and magazines.chandlerguerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15492642115552908105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-85091705310357534902013-01-05T20:08:43.501-05:002013-01-05T20:08:43.501-05:00Anonymous, they released 12 DVDs containing old se...Anonymous, they released 12 DVDs containing old segments of her old show. You can still find them used on Amazon.com. Just search "Martha Stewart" under DVD and you'll see the selection. Unfortunately, they stopped the DVD series, ironically because it was not making money... ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-13090266729029896022013-01-05T16:25:29.158-05:002013-01-05T16:25:29.158-05:00does anyone know how/where I can get my hands on t...does anyone know how/where I can get my hands on the old Martha Stewart Living (1993-2004) shows??<br /><br />They really need to release them on DVD...I'm sure they would be snapped up, making a good profit for her!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-26118148022358846492013-01-05T04:27:12.419-05:002013-01-05T04:27:12.419-05:00Dear Andrew, thankyou for so succinctly expressing...Dear Andrew, thankyou for so succinctly expressing what so many of us feel. I started collecting the magazine in 1996 (not easy in Australia) and was a committed disciple of the brand. With the advent of the iPad edition I stopped collecting, which was so strange for me because I'd been so obsessive about it! At first i thought I'd just outgrown it but this year as you have reflected on past issues I have found myself revisiting my Martha shelves and pulling out decades old magazines to enjoy all over again. With the constant streamlining something has been lost. I do think however that they have a great team and it is possible to inject the soul back in there. Perhaps with the shedding of whole living, everyday food, the tv show etc they can refocus. Remember how devastated we all were when Kids and Blueprint folded? Wow now I really am getting nostalgic. Happy new year from Melbourne Australia Andrew and thanks for all your thoughtful posts <br /><br />RamonaRamonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14007199035309562740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-51739934179296113462013-01-05T00:09:52.375-05:002013-01-05T00:09:52.375-05:00Well said, Andrew. I so miss the quality of MS pro...Well said, Andrew. I so miss the quality of MS products. The days of Martha by Mail are sorely missing and have been for too many years. <br /><br />As for television, while I thoroughly enjoy Martha's Cooking School on PBS, I miss seeing her every day as part of regular network programming. As for MS publications I must agree with you that the content of MSL is no longer what it once was --- It no longer holds my interest or inspires me and, I'm a girl!<br /><br />I had very much hoped that Martha would return as CEO - without her the company lacks everything that is Martha Stewart. <br /><br />Wishing you a very happy new year that delivers perfect health and all the love and happiness you wish for!<br /><br />xoJanethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17283941721180439222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-36035943582342724042013-01-04T21:49:05.394-05:002013-01-04T21:49:05.394-05:00I love the 4 magazine covers you designed. I defin...I love the 4 magazine covers you designed. I definitely think that Martha Stewart needs some good change while keeping her true colors still showing. Martha Stewart is a great brand and will continue to be a great brand. She is signed on to continue with her company until 2017 the least. Her name is what attracts people. I don't knew why her name printed on the Living magazine wasn't reverted back to bigger after she was released from you know where. I love the 2-3 minute video clip segments from Christmas and I hope she continues doing things like that on her website. I think Living should be renamed to The Martha Stewart Magazine and should be showcased every few months like what you are saying. Make her name on it big because people are attracted by her name. If I'm at the grocery store looking for a magazine that has Valentine's Day ideas, I would (and I'm sure most would) be attracted becuase of her name. In an odd way, it's kind of like CNN. CNN here in the United States hasn't been doing so well these past few years but it is still #1 when major news happens becuase people who don't normally watch the news, turn to CNN for breaking news because it's a known name brand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-2769344979471465872013-01-04T21:37:14.891-05:002013-01-04T21:37:14.891-05:00Another Martha Stewart magazine that ended its pri...Another Martha Stewart magazine that ended its print was Blueprint magazine. I forget if it was this past year or before.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-62952776503586859622013-01-04T12:16:20.476-05:002013-01-04T12:16:20.476-05:00Andrew Andrew Andrew-- don't bite the hand tha...Andrew Andrew Andrew-- don't bite the hand that could feed you look into the Freemantlemedia martha Stewart connection honestly these blogs that are creative and Quirky have a chance to be the breath of fresh air. This Global Conglomerate is looking for shake this Martha connection spread your wings and fly that includes you too gentle reader maybe everyone does not translate to TV but a call in radio show how easy is that to sit and Talk that is what martha wants to de er evolve to a Talk Show she has said this More power to her what is her cause She has a Horse in this raceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-85512763190308874882013-01-03T20:39:17.794-05:002013-01-03T20:39:17.794-05:00I neglected to mention in my post that every mains...I neglected to mention in my post that every mainstream monthly lifestyle magazine out there is suffering from the same illness. There isn't a single one that captivates me anymore, with the possible exception of Elle Decor. This is why I've had to discover more groundbreaking publications that are harder to find, more expensive but a million times more inspiring. It's not just Martha, it's the entire industry.ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-54053069097938284182013-01-03T20:07:03.369-05:002013-01-03T20:07:03.369-05:00Go back to the early issues of the magazine - over...Go back to the early issues of the magazine - over the top, abundant, glorious- the essence of everything that is Martha, inspiring and original. The new magazine is a paltry offering of recycled concepts, boring filler and marketing gimmicks - sigh. I agree - let's get back to classic Martha.Louisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-75865008306826341432013-01-03T16:36:18.139-05:002013-01-03T16:36:18.139-05:00I am so sad that MS Living magazine may end soon. ...I am so sad that MS Living magazine may end soon. But I believe your blog post is so true. The company has not been able to keep up with the changes in tv programming, audience, and other tv personalities. Someone "moved their cheese" and they were unable to see all the new competition coming their way. I miss her tv show & Kmart line. Martha may just be ready to relax and focus on her grandchildren, homes & travel. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-90663465777659453382013-01-03T14:40:11.337-05:002013-01-03T14:40:11.337-05:00The issue I cannot get past is she doesn't fee...The issue I cannot get past is she doesn't feel like much of a "do-er" any more. It's true she's always had staff helping craft her image etc. but it was kept behind the scenes and she actually appeared to be involved in testing recipes, decorating rooms, creating floral arrangements. Now, she constantly features her gardeners, cleaning staff, chef etc. To me, that Martha touch is absent and has been since prison.<br /><br />The problem for MSLO is that the competition studied her formula, improved on it and moved forward. She did not. Having worked for the company on the merchandising side, I can tell you that the need to create beautiful and innovative products is not there. It's all how much money can we eek out of a product by putting Martha's name on it. I felt at least with the product at Kmart, she was democratizing design for all of us. Yes, the measuring spoons were plastic, but they were well design, color coded in "Martha" colors and functioned well. <br /><br />I feel she herself is no longer connected to what she initially started and grew. She enjoys being the elder stateswoman, the celebrity and wants to pull as much money out of the company as possible for herself, Kevin Sharkey and her daughter. Just my two cents.Jamienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-7974740922176736262013-01-03T11:29:08.980-05:002013-01-03T11:29:08.980-05:00Your essay is spot on -- all is not well for Marth...Your essay is spot on -- all is not well for Martha fans. I hope she reads it and shares your insights with her team. With all their talent and stockpile of content, why is it so difficult for MSLO to give us what we want?<br /><br />Changing subjects, my husband just emailed me a link with gift ideas for friends that sail on the Great Lakes. Then I saw this - wouldn't it be nice in Martha's Skyland map room? http://www.belowtheboat.com/products/mount-desert-island Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-79736053146204995702013-01-03T11:00:57.524-05:002013-01-03T11:00:57.524-05:00I have to agree. I have been avidly reading MSL si...I have to agree. I have been avidly reading MSL since it's inaugural publication. I used to covet the 4 hours I would spend reading the magazine cover to cover when the issue first arrived. And I adored Martha by Mail - the quality of the products matched the quality of the magazine. And then they "dumbed" down the content. I loved that the craft projects used to be horribly difficult and required a high level of blood, sweat and tears to reproduce such beauty - I still have my perfectly crafted velvet wreath that took me two weeks to make! <br /><br />While I will hate to see MSL go, it is not such a loss since the trajectory of the magazine has been a downward one for the last 5-7 years.LHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05400537872583188920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-90856886460286223762013-01-03T10:24:16.797-05:002013-01-03T10:24:16.797-05:00At thrift stores, tag sales used book sales I ofte...At thrift stores, tag sales used book sales I often find MS books books at great prices older books that were apparently gifts --that were shelved for many years lucky me. My MS can opener fell apart now there is glue oozing from the handle. The sheets and matlasse comforter are showing age however the sheets are a timeless design ( all purchased a K-Mart on sale ) The magazine used to have Martha on the cover --she told us those were time consuming and schedule conflicts made them impossible to shoot the beginning of the end in my book-- Companies have a life cycle and MS always resorting to cooking segments the least expensive show to shoot but The barefoot Contessa is engaging for the field trips -- Martha's show would do field trips the show has evolved from "specials" but not so much today. Merchandizing how much of it is an agreement to be associated with a product where is the quality control. One thing I have learned from Martha stewart Tag sales are a Good thing. We need to let bygones be bygones The Blog and ads on the blog the social media apps to attract a yonger audience well MS even released a CD of Holiday music selling Turkey Hill .... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-2606860955569100702013-01-03T09:35:06.246-05:002013-01-03T09:35:06.246-05:00Great article, great points. I only hope the brass...Great article, great points. I only hope the brass at the magazine read it and then read it again to let it all sink in. And as a female, I don't like all the makeup/fashion either. Teaching me to knit a sweater, yes. Telling me where I can buy a sweater for $$$, no.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05783505451611282485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-79301202924646597542013-01-03T00:08:57.452-05:002013-01-03T00:08:57.452-05:00Andrew, you speak for many. I hope it's not tr...Andrew, you speak for many. I hope it's not true about MSL - it's hard to imagine losing both the TV show and the magazine. <br /> The focus has turned to online and away from print and TV. I'm not sure they had a choice - the move to cable wasn't good for Martha or Oprah - what else was left? <br /> It'd be lovely if Martha would address your concerns but I think she's doing what she's told she has to do, all the while describing herself as an optimist and acting as head cheerleader for new projects. I doubt she really wants it this way anymore than her fans do. <br />Your idea of MSL as a quarterly is excellent. I could live with that, and occasional pilgrimages to Macys (and Penney's).<br /> I was thinking during the holidays how nice it would be if you got invited to one or all of Martha's homes and gave us a behind the scenes report. You've earned it.<br />Thanks for keeping us informed. You're a treasure.Stephanie Cooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-46876270784875324832013-01-03T00:01:10.403-05:002013-01-03T00:01:10.403-05:00As a hard core fan, I too have noticed the decline...As a hard core fan, I too have noticed the decline in the content and aesthetics in the brand. I find myself far more excited to visit The Martha Blog than I do receiving the latest issue of Living. I guess what I need from the brand is insight into the rigor required to excel and continually strive to be the very best- at everything. I'm craving inspiration and originally. I have my doubts that the company can transform itself. The broth has been too watered down. Time to start a new batch.Mariohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09627180003113584271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-14385731832313716362013-01-02T15:48:51.471-05:002013-01-02T15:48:51.471-05:00This is the first I've seen about Gael Towey, ...This is the first I've seen about Gael Towey, Fritz Karch and James Dunlison leaving the fold--that is dire news indeed. I have been an avid follower of Martha Stewart Living magazine since it began. I too believe it has lost its soul. A large part of it is the publishing environment right now being in a transition between print and digital. But I think a key part of it, is as Martha has gotten richer and become more of a celebrity, that she has lost touch with the readers (especially the ones who have followed the brand since it was only a flagship magazine). The magic has gone out of it. I haven't been truly impressed with a December issue of the magazine since the 12-Days of Christmas issue when people like the company's self-professed "Father Christmas" Eric Pike seemed to have a large say in the editorial. Martha, I'm afraid has lost touch with the financial end of things also, as garnered from this scathing article in the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/business/at-martha-stewart-living-martha-may-be-the-problem.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0<br />I am far from pinpointing the problem I'm sure, but as far as a corporate culture goes, I feel the brand has become "inbred." And only a few anointed employees are having far too much control over the editorial. This is an "outside, looking in" opinion though. I have no idea what could be transpiring there to weaken a brand that has always been able to mesh the aspirational with the achievable with an immutable identity and style. I also think the company has sold out to too many franchises in the name big money--witness all the plastic ornaments sold at Home Depot. At least the plastic ornaments at K-mart had signature metal caps on them. I can only hope I can get a December issue of the magazine next year that totally excites me as many of them have in the past. Darryl Molandhttp://www.thedecoratedtree.blogpsot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-52082251382229854632013-01-02T12:55:58.345-05:002013-01-02T12:55:58.345-05:00I think you've hit the nail on the head with t...I think you've hit the nail on the head with this one. <br /><br />I was sad to let my subscription to MSL go, but just had to. Now I pick it up at the grocery checkout while waiting or browse through at the library. It's definitely a shadow of what it Once Was. <br /><br />Couldn't agree with you more on this beautifully written, thought-provoking post. I only hope that Martha sees it...Tylernoreply@blogger.com