American Spectator's New Vision. Conservative Clinton-bashing monthly American Spectator is refocusing its editorial to devote more space to technology-
related issues. Editor and Publisher Richard Vigilante said the new direction will combine hard-hitting political coverage with analysis of the "driving forces of the New
Economy." The March issue features a look at Alan Greenspan's influence on tech stocks and an editorial decrying government spending on the human genome project. Does this new
direction also have something to do with the fact that one of our most scandal-ridden presidents has left the White House? "We've done a lot of great pieces about Clinton and the
scandals," says Vilgilante. "But we have to change with the landscape... The more interesting stories are the struggle for the soul of the New Economy." (Vigilante, AS,
703/243-3733.)
Fortune.com Reforms. Fortune.com is the first Time Inc. Web site to be hosted from America Online's headquarters. The site for Fortune Magazine has been
undergoing a yearlong redesign, and relaunched last Monday. The site offers a variety of searchable data from Fortune's 13 annual lists, including the Fortune 500 "Most
Admired Companies" and "Most Powerful Women in Business." Editorial content will continue to be created at Fortune's headquarters in New York. Fortune.com will feature
customized content from partners such as investor e-zine Validea, stock news service Stockpoint, and business information site Hoover's. (Terry Mcdevitt, The Fortune Group,
212/522-7149.)
Martha Stewart's Having a Baby. Well, not literally. The maven of homemaking advice will expand her popular Martha Stewart Baby title from two issues to four
annually. The additional issues, to be titled Martha Stewart Kids, will focus on the essentials of parenting for kids aged 3-10. Features will provide ideas to encourage
creativity and learning in young children. The first issue of Baby will be on newsstands from March 12 through May 14, and Kids will be on newsstands from June 4
through Aug. 14. Content from the titles will be featured on marthastewart.com, Martha Stewart Living Television, and in askMartha newspaper columns. (Susan
Magrino, Susan Magrino Agency, 212/957-3005.)
On the Record
Making the Most of Going on the Road. Josh Hyatt is by no means clairvoyant, but one PR person may have thought he was. The executive editor of Fortune Small
Business once was emailed several invites by a publicist bringing a media tour to the Big Apple, where FSB is based. The one problem was that Hyatt works out of Boston,
and several replies to inform the publicist of that fell on deaf ears.
"I eventually got an email that the press tour was postponed," says Hyatt. "It seems like [this PR person] wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention."
Hyatt's story is not unique: lots of full-time magazine staffers work hundreds of miles from their main offices these days, something PR people should be aware of before they
reserve a table at the local Olive Garden.
As for additional advice for wayfaring PR folks, Hyatt says: "When you're meeting with a journalist, bring something unique to the table." Journalists don't want to hear the
same spiel that's being rattled off to dozens of other reporters. And although Hyatt rarely writes about someone he meets for the first time, persistence can pay off. Just be
modest and let him run with the angle he thinks is best.
"Company stories are slow building things," says Hyatt "and someone who is going around hawking themselves is even less appealing to me."
(Josh Hyatt, Fortune Small Business, 617/277-0113, [email protected].)
On the Move
Robert Spiegel joins Electronic News as senior editor. He writes articles covering components distribution and is interested in supply-chain management, B-to-B e-
commerce, mobile commerce and customer relations management. His email is [email protected]...John Dodge shifts from editor to editor-at-large of EWEEK. He no
longer writes "This eWEEK," a weekly print column discussing issues and concerns of interest to IT professionals. He now serves primarily as editor-in-chief of Zcast.tv, Ziff-
Davis Media's new Internet news channel venture dedicated to technology news, features and reviews. His email: [email protected]...Paul McCloskey, editor-in-chief of
Federal Computer Week, is on indefinite sabbatical. Subsequently, Allan Holmes was promoted from editor to editor-in-chief. Email him at [email protected]. B.J. Ramos joins FCW as editor, covering the federal government in relation to technology, procurement, policy,
legislation and workforce issues. His email is [email protected]... Ashli Riggs joins Fiberoptic Product News as Web editor,
replacing Christen Fisher, who left. Riggs writes and edits industry news, product releases and feature articles. She also edits and posts content to the Web site. Email her at
[email protected]...Mitchell York joins Interactive Week as vice president and publishing director. He oversees all national sales and editorial initiatives...Ryan
Adams joins MacAddict as associate editor. He reviews consumer-oriented, Mac-related products that generally cost less than $2,000. His email is
[email protected]....Mike Avery joins Network World as reviews editor. He reviews most network technologies used on desktops with a focus on system management,
backup and administration tools. Email him at [email protected]... Andrew R. Garcia, project leader, Networking
Infrastructure, left PC Magazine to go into private practice. No replacement has been named. During the interim, contact Oliver Kaven at [email protected].