|
At Venture Publishing, we are highly experienced in publishing magazines - it's what we do every day. By using our expertise, clients are able to create outstanding custom magazines with minimal impact to their own workload. Here's the typical workflow for producing an issue: 1 Pre-briefing Ahead of an editorial briefing meeting, we talk with a client to establish mandatory content for the issue and website update. We create a project schedule, working back from required release dates, allowing sufficient time for planning, writing, design, client approval, print and distribution. Typically, this happens around 11 weeks ahead of delivery. 2 Editorial briefing meeting Once briefed, we present an editorial proposal for the magazine and website, showing the full breakdown of pagination and creative approach for each story. We outline the editorial synopsis and suggested word count of each feature, agree upon a proposed design approach, and demonstrate how the article will achieve our client's communication objectives. 3 Marketing and sales activities For those custom magazines that include external advertising, we develop a rate card and marketing materials. Working with the client, we identify advertising prospects appropriate to the magazine and its readership. Sales activities are managed by Venture Publishing and conducted through our sales offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto. 4 Commissioning Once the proposal is signed off, ideally within 48 hours of presentation, we commission editorial and artwork. Contributors are typically provided between four and six weeks to file words or images. 5 Design Once words and images are filed, the editor and art director work together on page layouts and web content, typically over a period of approximately 10-15 days. 6 Editorial briefing meeting When layouts are complete, we forward files as PDFs to our client for internal distribution. Once client corrections are incorporated, we forward a final PDF for sign-off prior to print. Typically, we allow one week between presentation of proofs and client sign-off, but this depends upon a client's individual requirements. 7 Production After sign off, we upload a hi-res PDF file to our print supplier. Our production manager manages press approval, as appropriate, to ensure quality control. 8 Distribution Dependent upon a client's requirements, our circulation team manages distribution of the magazine to identified points. This typically starts seven days after the print date. 9 Debriefing Post issue, we meet with our client to assess the issue based on content, process, feedback (internal and reader) and to identify best practice. This typically takes place two weeks after distribution.
case study
Client: Capital Health
Magazine: Your Health
Frequency: Four issues per year
Circulation: 226,000
Target audience: Alberta consumers  For Capital Health, Venture Publishing launched Your Health magazine in 2004. Combining high quality editorial with advice from the authority's medical experts, the consumer title imparts whole family health information in a trusted and authoritative environment. Engendering trust between the health authority and readers, the magazine offers assurance that the right medical service is available to individuals at the right time. Linked closely to Capital Health's communications programme, the magazine cost-effectively achieves a wide broadcast of public health messages, reaching one in four households within the authority's region. Venture Publishing developed an ad sales programme which successfully attracted health service providers keen to be seen alongside the trusted editorial. We approached Venture Publishing with a challenge - work with us to build a high quality publication that serves as a vehicle to deliver relevant health messages to our residents. Venture took up the challenge and delivered in spades. Today, Your Health magazine is a well-read publication, envied by other organizations and quoted by other publications. And Venture consistently delivers it on-time and on-budget! Mark Dixon, Director of Public Affairs, Capital Health case study
Client: Alberta Mental Health Board
Magazine: Grip and griponlife.ca
Frequency: Four issues per year
Circulation: 75,000
Target audience: Alberta teens  In 2006, Venture Publishing embarked upon the development of a brand new magazine and website for the Alberta Mental Health Board (AMHB). Aimed at Alberta teens, the project provides reassurance about mental health and developmental life stages. Understanding that, to be effective, youth communication needs to be authentic, Venture Publishing created a Youth Advisory Council, comprised of teens across the province, to work with the publisher to develop the magazine from the outset. This involves bringing members together in a virtual environment, via online forums, to oversee Grip magazine and griponlife.ca on an issue-by-issue basis. The magazine and web content is written entirely by teens, for teens, supported by Venture Publishing's editorial and design team. Tackling issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, relationships and communication, the magazine offers support and advice in a trusted environment. Ensuring Grip reached its target audience was equally important, and so Venture Publishing developed a distribution channel via schools throughout Alberta. Grip magazine won the External Publication (First Place) of the Year at the Health Care Public Relations Association Canada Awards in 2007. |
