Jump Magazine
Weider Publications
21100 Erwin St.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Jump magazine prides itself on giving young women the whole story about things like sex, school and boys. What differentiates the title from competitive titles such as YM and Seventeen, according to the editors, is its honest, no-bull approach. Jump was co-conceived by Editor-in-Chief Lori Berger and Executive Editor Malissa Thompson, and in January will mark its third year in the U.S.
The magazine also just launched in the U.K., under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Martin. Jump's editors focus content less on makeup and fashion and more on girls believing in themselves. Readers are encouraged to build their talents through activities ranging from playing guitar to snowboarding.
As for the content, "we don't present it with a bow and tie at the end," says Thompson. Other magazines with the same target audience underestimate the intelligence of their readers, she says. Until now, "there was never a magazine out there for me beyond fashion," she adds.
WHAT TO PITCH: Pitch stories angled to benefit girls emotionally and physically. Jump is less interested in covering eyeshadow applications and more keen to a story that highlights a new tutorial program to help girls learn JAVA applications. Stories about "real" girls - as opposed to girls who are skinny and airbrushed - are featured in every issue. New products for the target audience are also welcome.
Jump editors are interested in trends, technology and topics related to the empowerment of young girls. Anything that's new, timely and health-oriented makes for a good pitch, but it's got to have some authenticity to it.
"A PR person knows if it's a good pitch," says Thompson. She says it's obvious when a pitch is coming from someone who's never read Jump in-depth.
WHO TO PITCH: According to Thompson, the masthead is self-explanatory as to who handles what. The staff is divided between the coasts.
Pitch beauty products and queries to Associate Beauty Editor Rebecca Sample and sports pitches to Associate Editor, Sports and Fitness, Pam Drucker, in the New York Office (212/725-9228).
Email pitches to the other editors by keying in their first initial plus their last name at weiderpub.com (i.e. [email protected]).
COMMENTS: "Our average reader is much older than [the average reader for] Seventeen and YM," says Thompson. The median age is 15.7.
The end of the book features a two-page spread entitled "Busted!" which prints blurbs about silly news items and tchotchkes. For example: the new trend in metal body incisions, or the similarities in facial features/hair/clothing between Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez.
Editors are eternally searching for girls and celebrities who are good role models. This, Thompson says, is really difficult.
Jump is published eight times a year in the U.S. and 11 times a year in the U.K.