The Weekly Standard
1150 17th Street, N.W.
Suite 505
Washington, D.C. 20036
The Weekly Standard is known as a the hipper, trendier version of conservative political magazines, such as The National Journal, and covers all aspects of the political arena. The Standard, with its edgy reporting style, did not make many friends with fellow Republicans inside the Beltway. Maybe this hip attitude makes the editors at the Standard a little more laid back, but they're still on tight deadlines. We found working with Associate Editor Victorino Matus an unusually pleasant experience. (Circulation: 48,087; male, 78%; average age, 59.7; average HHI, $91,000)
SECTIONS: What Next?
This section includes The Log, featuring shorter articles and The Well, with longer, more in-depth articles.
Accepts freelance articles and unsolicited manuscripts from the PR world. Most press releases received by the Standard are from Capitol Hill or special interest groups. Matus says turning these press releases into stories is rare. Don't be discouraged, because the information helps them get a heads up on coming events on the Hill and Pennsylvania Avenue. Associate Editor
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Victorino Matus
Matus has been with The Standard almost since its inception about three years ago. Before that he worked for a defense consulting firm in Virginia.
Fax: 202/293-4901
Phone: 202/293-4900
Lead Time: at least one week; for any breaking news for the Scrapbook section, send ASAP. (The Scrapbook lists current events and what's going on in the political scene).
METHODS: These editors prefer the old-fashioned way of communication: mail. No email or calls.
Faxes also are acceptable, but contact the staff early in the week, as their deadline is Friday afternoon. All copy must be in by Wednesday.
"We try to get back to everyone within a two week period," Matus says. So leave the calling to them.
COMMENTS: You must remmuber this is a high-traffic time for any political magazine. The Monica Lewinsky scandal, the upcoming Presidential election and the Al Gore investigation make editorial space very limited.
"We get funny and clever pieces and great ideas sent in, but just don't have the room now," Matus says. Since there's always something brewing in politics, the lack of editorial space for the 50-page magazine makes it a tough pitch.
Matus adds the Standard doesn't want ideas or articles that already have appeared in the other political mags.
Editorial Contacts at The Weekly Standard
Main Number: 202/293-4900
Fred Barnes, Executive Editor
David Brooks, Senior Editor
Andrew Ferguson, Senior Editor
Richard Starr, Managing Editor
Claudia Winkler, Managing Editor
J. Bottum, Books & Arts Editor
Recent Stories: Nov. 16, 1998
"A Teetering Republican Majority," by William Kristol and David Tell.
"The Presidential Race Begins," by Fred Barnes.
"A Party of Governors," by Michael Barone. (an article about Republicans in state capitals.)
"The Triumph of Clintonism," by David Frum.