[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Blessed2bDST

I completely see and understand your point. But I work in "the business" and from an editorial standpoint, I also completely understand the decisions they are making.

Like it or not, Keyshia Cole (or however she spells it) is going to sell covers. Princess Angela won't, plain and simple. For that matter, Cathy Hughes on the cover won't sell either. It's no different than the reasons why (white) actresses are now routinely on the covers of high fashion mags like Vogue, etc., when a decade ago it was (white) "supermodels." Bottom line? Jennifer Anniston/Jessica Simpson/Angelina Jolie, etc. sells, and the models don't. Our mags are no different.

Journalism is not a science but it is tactile -- there are editorial decisions that are made that a segment of the audience will disagree with, but that the target demographic will love -- and purchase. That's really all they care about.

Regarding the 2nd Kim Porter story -- considering the turn of events (Diddy having yet another kid out of wedlock), and the prominent play that the first story got -- Essence had to do another story. And, appropriately, it was in the back of the magazine. It really was no different than a follow-up story in a newspaper. Sort of a "what do you think of this and how are you moving on?" story and Kim spoke her peace and now, I guarantee you, Essence is done with it.

Maybe it's "inside baseball," but from an editorial and fiscal standpoint, those were good decisions. Now, do I wish Essence (and Ebony, for that matter) would do better overall? YES. But that would require them to go the way of, say, Ms. magazine and stop trolling for advertising dollars altogether -- and are we prepared to pay $6 for what we claim we really want to read? That's another story altogether...

I understand what you are saying about the cover, but from what others are saying there could have least been an article. I stopped buying Essesnce and Ebony years ago, because there were just fluff.

Also I agree with those who spoke about Emerge. It was a great magazine.