Does Fort Worth Magazine Suck?
by Steve SmithDoes Fort Worth, Texas: The City’s Magazine suck?
This recent column in New York magazine got me thinking about that. Kurt Andersen was remembering the late Clay Felker, the New York who invented the idea of “the city magazine.” Andersen wrote: “The main reason that most city magazines suck, and have always sucked, is that their founders misapprehended Clay Felker’s biggest Big Idea. The brilliant germ of this magazine, when Felker launched it in 1968, wasn’t the duh geographical idea, covering a particular set of Zip Codes stylishly and colorfully on glossy paper. Rather, New York’s central subject has always been our local pageant of ambition, the yearning and hustling and jostling for power and—even more—status.”
With that in mind, does Fort Worth, Texas suck? Discuss.
Tags: fort worth magazine, media
36 Comments, Comments or Pings
Pete Wann
If you measure it by Clay Felker’s standard — “…the local pageant of ambition, the yearning and hustling and jostling for power and — even more — status,” then FW, TX is doing everything right.
Every issue is chock-full of articles on how to be better than your fellow Fort Worthians, whether it’s by choosing a better Dentist, picking the “right” private school, or building a 4,000 square foot “green home” “…in the breathtaking enclave of Montserrat”. (Their “Dream Home” this year (all 6,100 sq. ft. of it) ISN’T EVEN IN FORT WORTH!)
Yeah, FW TX Magazine sucks, not because it’s not living up to Clay Felker’s standards, but because it IS.
Jul 30th, 2008
Bernie
Maybe they cover lots of “power and status” type things, but the pageantry is definitely missing. I don’t feel like there’s any drama in FW Magazine… it’s kind of like they whitewash over the dirty bits. It feels a little light, a little empty.
Jul 30th, 2008
Connie
Too glossy, not enough meaningful articles, too many ads. Yes, it sucks.
Jul 30th, 2008
Horatio Handy
Yea. Fort Worth Texas magazine is about the worst crap I’ve never read. The crap they pull off as journalism is ridiculous. If you advertise, you’re one of the Top whatever in Fort Worth. If you don’t advertise, you get nothing. That’s not honest. That’s self-serving bullshit.
Jul 30th, 2008
Sarah
On the upside, the magazine supports a lot of local nonprofits with in-kind ad space and coverage…
Jul 30th, 2008
Jeremy
It’s very similar to Texas Monthly in my opinion. They are both chocked full of advertising, sometimes to the point where it’s hard to tell the difference between real stories and the ads. I have to admit I’ve purchased it on a number of occasions, mainly to find the “Best Of” kind of lists. Other than that I haven’t ever found a reason to read it. We’ve got a good newspaper in town (in my opinion) for everyday stuff and if I want to read about why my city sucks or to find local bands I’ll read FW Weekly.
Jul 30th, 2008
KAREN
I, too, believe the editorial could carry more substance. Perhaps we, the readers, should tell them what we would like to see in the magazine. After all, it is our city’s magazine. Although I don’t agree with the extent of “drama” D Magazine prints, I do think we should let the editors or publisher know what we expect of them. Agree?
Jul 31st, 2008
ICD
I worked at that magazine for a bit. It is probably the worst city magazine in the country, making D Mag look like a Pulitzer Prize winner. There problems are so many, but the main problem is that they never do anyhting that looks at this city beyond the PR fluff stuff. Not saying city magazines need to be mostly critical, but occasionally you have to do some stoires with content. These can be profiles of controversial people or laying out the diiferent spokes of something like Barnett-Shale. Maybe even some decent writing. But none of that fits in with the purpose.
FW TX Mag does not cover anything but white, rich west siders. Publisher Hal Brown is beholden to that crowd, so that is all you get. The black and Hispanic community don’t exist. And as far as the “Best Of” lists, the only way you get on that list is by paying Hal Brown some money.
One aside. Twice a year, FW TX mag profiles the schools in the area. The are all private (and they buy ads). I suggested that maybe we include a little bit on the FWISD gifted and talented program. Hal Brown told me that “our readers don’t send their kids to public schools.” Nuff said.
Jul 31st, 2008
Sarah
Ok, it’s perfectly fine to criticize a magazine but can we please stop criticizing all of it’s writers in such a general way (”maybe even some decent writing” ICD). Those writers do work hard and they’re stuff is probably heavily edited … nothing is as discouraging to a writer as having comments on a web site knock them down like that. I once had a piece i wrote while freelancing called “fluff” on the fort worth architecture forum and it stung badly.
Jul 31st, 2008
KAREN
ICD,
Clearly you had a bad experience at Fort Worth, Texas magazine, and your ignorance prevails. I know for a fact that the Best Of list has absolutely NOTHING to do with the voting. Not to mention, the Top Attorney and Top Doc lists are solely determined by the Fort Worth law and medical community. In fact, in the July issue, I think the editor responded to a doctor making the same accusations you are. Perhaps you should pick up the magazine and read it before you start criticizing it.
I do agree, however, that there needs to be some more substantail content in the magazine. A little advice ICD, do your research before you start suggesting different spokes, as the magazine dedicated a cover story to the Barnett Shale not long ago.
Like I said before, complaining isn’t going to help anything. If you feel you know better and have story ideas that would increase the itnegrity of the publication, then submit them to the editor. Nuff said.
Jul 31st, 2008
Matt
When I first that Fort Worth, was going to be the proud owner of a city magazine, I was thrilled. And while the magazine was respectable enough in the beginning, she slowly began to deteriorate over the next few years until it all snowballed into the worst train wreck in print history. The writing is AWFUL now, the stories have zero depth, half of the issues are ridiculous “best of’s” that DON’T EVEN SHARE WHY CERTAIN THINGS ARE BEST, and terrible, glossy ad space. Like others have said, the magazine doesn’t even attempt to get it’s nails dirty, and the only people the magazine even attempts to draw in is the Westover Hills crowd. I’m certain the Bass family cringes every time they see this piece of crap on newsstands. I HATE seeing the magazine and her terrible covers in Barnes and Noble and Borders. And usually, even in Fort Worth, D Magazine outsells her two to one. Pathetic.
Aug 6th, 2008
Recyclican
“And while the magazine was respectable enough in the beginning, she slowly began to deteriorate over the next few years until it all snowballed into the worst train wreck in print history.” ~ Matt
Clearly you have not picked up the latest edition of Shale Magazine: http://askchesapeake.com/Style%20Library/images/blogwatch/zinegroup-overflow0.png
All two pounds (exaggerating) of solid plastic that Chesapeake calls a “periodical.”
Aug 6th, 2008
VinnyV
Actually, I find the Shale literature to be very valuable. My stubborn pooch will only seem to crap on their print for some reason. I guess Chesapeake was right; everyone does win.
Aug 7th, 2008
Matt
Alright, the Shale propaganda is worse, but at least they understand that they’re not trying to be the next great city magazine.
Aug 7th, 2008
VinnyV
Jokes aside, I agree with Karen and others here. The magazine could do a lot better - and yeah, it does cater more to the Westover Hills demographics than being a true representation of FW. I am all for writing the editor, etc, but not if management will just simply ignore us. Evidently enough people are buying this publication for them to stay in business, so is it too late to save it or would it take a totally new management to shift the focus?
Aug 7th, 2008
Matt
Look, magazines receive facelifts all the time, and sometimes, depending on the case, total makeovers. Why can’t FWT be more like great eye-catching magazines such as Texas Monthly can be, Wired Magazine, Fortune, and Esquire? Obviously, it can;t possibly have the same draw or freedoms in writing, but Fort Worth is more than ever a beautiful and chic city with a bright, bright future. Our magazine should reflect that.
Aug 7th, 2008
Karen
So, like I said before, if we want the magazine to get its nails dirty, let’s tell them. I recently heard from a friend who interned for the magazine, that the management has shifted. I think now is as good a time as any to voice what we, Fort Worth citizens, want. After all, we wouldn’t be spending so much time voicing our opinions on a Web site if we didn’t care.
Aug 7th, 2008
Hal Brown's Body Lies A Mould'ring
They’ve started charging the non profits, btw. Most of the Top Whatever panelists are advertisers, and even then it comes down to the editorial board, which at this point consists of Hal Brown kissing Bobby Patton’s you know what. Personally, I try and see if I can read the entire magazine in the time it takes me to walk from the shelf at Borders over to the checkout stand. Usually I am finished before I have to pay for my actual magazines, and can leave it for the next person.
Aug 8th, 2008
KAREN
I can’t help but laugh at your ignorance. The “Top Whatevers,” as you put it, are not determined by advertisers. I know this because, like I said, my friend interned for the magazine. She said Top Attorneys are voted on by the peers from the Texas Bar Association. Top Docs are determined from votes by area doctors. Both are checked for malpractice claims. The “Best Of” is determined by readers’ votes via the Web site. Why don’t you actually read the Best Of article before you determine that the list is generated by advertising. For example, how many times have you seen the Masonic Temple advertise in the magazine? Or Green River Ordinance that won Best Homegrown Band? Or Cowtown Speedway, “The Best Place to Spot a Redneck?” Exactly, you haven’t. Geez, I generally have found that the discussions on this Web site provide intelligent arguments, but not this Discussion.
Aug 8th, 2008
Matt
The only reason you can’t see through the magazines many weaknesses is your own blind attachment to the magazine. And I find it incredibly hard to believe that you don’t work for the magazine yourself. Look, I love unbiased opinions, but yours’ is heavily biased, so I won’t even try and argue.
Aug 8th, 2008
VinnyV
Well, I emailed Mr. Brown and even invited him to come look at the colorful discussion on this site. My automated response was, “Hal Brown will contact you shortly.”.
I eagerly await…
Maybe I’m naively awaiting? Who knows.
Aug 8th, 2008
KAREN
Why would I have posted: “I, too, believe the editorial could carry more substance” if I worked for the magazine? If I worked for the magazine, I would be fighting the “the magazine won’t get its nails dirty” claims tooth and nail. However, I do believe since it is the only magazine the city has, we, the readers, should do what we can to make it better. Sorry if my posting was so strong that it seemed biased. I get where you are coming from and, had my friend not explained the voting process to me, I would probably have my suspisions as well.
Aug 8th, 2008
Erinn
Fort Worth Magazine sucks and lacks INTEGRITY. For example, in their Best Of issue, they had dozens of advertisers who mentioned in their ad that they had won. IN THE SAME ISSUE! In other words, they were told that they won in advance and then ran ads which is a cheap way to get business OR, they were told that if they ran an ad they would win and could mention it in their ad. Either way, it’s insulting to the reader, all 50 of them. At least the Fort Worth Weekly keeps it a secret (and a surprise) to both readers and advertisers. I’ll stick with the Weekly.
Aug 8th, 2008
Hal
VINNYV,
Thanks for the invite. I’m pleased some readers care enough to speak up and voice their opinions. First and foremost I want to respond to the original question about whether Fort Worth, Texas magazine sucks. I agree with Pete Wann’s assessment. He says, “Yeah, FW TX Magazine sucks, not because it’s NOT living up to Clay Felker’s standards, but because it IS.” Winn quotes, Felker’s standard of directing the magazine toward the local pageant of ambition, the yearning and hustling and jostling for power and — even more — status. Thank you Pete for making this point early in this discussion. I make no bones about the fact that this is part of our mission.
The Fort Worth Weekly and The Star Telegram have their place and we have ours. You don’t have to like it, or agree with it, but it is part of the formula for city magazines across the country. If we were too mainstream we’d have critics who would rightfully say we have no clear direction. Among other things, we cover entertainment, local affairs, design and society. VINNYW states that, “we cater more to the Westover Hills demographics.” I will not side step this issue. By design we are a cultural catalyst. I am a fan of the successful people who have played a hand in making Fort Worth the great city that it is today. If you were all really being honest with yourselves, you would like to have fat enough wallets to have the choice to live in Westover Hills, or own a $1 million plus house somewhere else in Fort Worth (Tarrant County). Yes, that includes a Dream Home in Southlake, which is in Tarrant County and part of our readership. Showcasing these people and their homes, however, only fills a small portion of our editorial mix. Review our Spotlight each month.
One of you (who opted not to use your name) made mention of my kissing someone’s “you know what.” This comment again speaks to someone’s ignorance and lack of understanding of the facts. I am CEO, Publisher and the only working partner of Fort Worth, Texas magazine, and have 100 percent control. I will not be influenced to do anything I don’t want to do. If you don’t like it, the buck stops with me. My former partner and I started this magazine in 1988, but with other six other national titles to run I could not concentrate on FWTX. I bought my partner out in 2005 because I was tired of people saying it was light on content. Editorial page count has increased by 35 percent since 2005. Are we there yet? Not yet. But we are working in the right direction.
As for us not taking on controversy–not true. We do not, however, create controversy for the sake of selling issues like the Weekly. Nor are we a main stream NEWSpaper. One thing I learned early in my publishing career is that you cannot be all things to all people. This business model worked in the 50s, but not today. Vertical titles have driven mainstream titles into extinction. We are a city magazine and we fulfill a need. One critic in this discussion says, “too glossy.” Are you kidding? Am I really supposed to defend printing on too nice of a paper stock?
Back to my original comment about being pleased that we have some readers who care enough to speak up and voice their opinions. I do care about what our readers have to say, and so does my staff. We will not become the Weekly or the Star Telegram just because you ask. That is not who we are and it does not fit our mission. We do, however, want to address real concerns from readers who say they want more substance. We published a story on Jamie Adams in the August issue where he discloses for the first time publicly his battle with alcoholism, and how it affected his life. This story has the potential to help inspire others that are possibly dealing with similar issues. We could have done this story without Mr. Adams blessing and made it controversial…really gotten our “nails dirty,” but that’s not who we are, nor who we want to be. Do we have room for more in-depth reporting and social commentary? No question. I think you will agree that you have seen more in-depth reporting as of late. I love Fort Worth and will not apologize for promoting it in the magazine. This too, is part of our mission statement.
Next week we are scheduled for an editorial forecast meeting for 2009. They say those who can play, play and those who can’t coach. May I respectfully ask you all to get out of your armchair quarterback coaching positions and send us your ideas for 2009. I do believe that most of you anyway, (with the exception of maybe someone that was formerly on our staff and let go for incompetence), are sincere about wanting to improve Fort Worth, Texas magazine.
P.S.
There are two ignorant points from this discussion group that I must silence. One person accused the magazine of charging non-profits and another of advertisers being able to buy editorial. You can call us many things, but not being a supporter of philanthropy in Fort Worth is not one of them. As for buying editorial, someone personally asks me at least twice a month what it will cost to get a story on their company. The answer is always the same. You can’t buy a story. I was offered over $20,000 for a cover two years ago and turned it down without question. Our editorial is not for sale. Though we do attempt to sell to those who win our Best Of lists, (yes we are a for profit company) one’s advertising has no bearing on their company making a list. If that were true, why would a company that didn’t win have an advertisement in the issue? Think about it. Again, call us a lot of things, but don’t tell me we lack integrity.
Aug 10th, 2008
Bernie
Re: the “glossy” comment. My guess is she wasn’t talking about the paper stock. The second definition of “glossy,” according to Merriam-Webster, is:
“attractive in an artificially opulent, sophisticated, or smoothly captivating manner”
Aug 10th, 2008
Chewy
Thanks for posting, Hal. Although some will still disagree with you after your post it’s good to read both sides. I don’t read your magazine (mainly because I have too much to read already) but it’s good to understand your focus.
Aug 10th, 2008
Steve-O
Thanks for the comment, Hal. My biggest frustration with the magazine isn’t the subject matter, it’s the approach. I don’t expect it to be New York Magazine, but I do expect it to be D Magazine. Our town doesn’t suffer from a lack of stories, but where I think FWTX falls short in comparison to D is in capturing the Gatsby factor — the attitudes, the opulence, the tragedy and the humanity. Jay Gatsby was interesting not because of the big house, the clothes, the cars and exotic hangers on. Gatsby was interesting because he was really just a poor boy who ended up shot dead in a pool. In the E! True Hollywood Story angle: “Jay Gatsby was riding high, then it all came crashing down.” The best stories capture the entire arc.
Graphic design is another issue. The fonts, the leading, the kerning, the white space — everything. It’s still closer to someone’s college magazine project than D or New York.
And a note about production quality, the last two copies of the FWTX that I picked up literally fell apart in my hands in a day or two. Pages everywhere. This doesn’t say quality.
These aren’t meant to be flames, just straight talk. I thank you for coming to post your comment. Obviously, a discussion that has continued for several weeks and generated such interest indicates that people are interested in your magazine. That’s certainly better than apathy. Good luck.
Aug 10th, 2008
VinnyV
Thank you, Mr. Brown for your composed and swift reply. While I cannot say that I will make an effort to read a magazine that caters to your niche market, I do appreciate your candor in clearing up the other side of the discussion and admire your no-apologies dedication to your magazine.
I am also a fan of successful people who have played a hand in making this great city even greater, but I don’t measure success by the size of wallets. Would I like more money? Absolutely - it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. Nearly all men desire to be rich, but if you want to test a man’s character, make him wealthy.
I do wish you luck in your endeavor to improve your magazine. I just hope that someday the mission of Fort Worth Magazine will be on the true Fort Worth.
“If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.”
Aug 11th, 2008
John C.
Before moving to town a few years back, I had neither read nor even heard of Fort Worth magazine. So, when I first picked up a copy at Central Market, I was curious (and hopeful) to see if its scope went beyond that of my old hometown magazine 30 miles to the east … Like others on this thread, I was underwhelmed. But I still remain hopeful.
I’ve worked for newspapers and written for lots of magazines in my career, and FW mag. appears to succumb to what a lot of other publications are guilty of: underestimating its readers. It’s good to have a focus and to know your audience, of course, but it’s troubling to hear statements like “our readers don’t send their kids to public schools,” if true. I have no way of knowing if this was ever uttered, but the attitude it illustrates IS in line with my observations and opinions of the magazine over the years … It comes off as VERY narrowly focused, almost elitist in its content (which, I believe, was Pete’s point to open the discussion, Hal’s interpretation aside).
I may aspire to wealth and a nicer home, but that doesn’t mean that’s all I want to read about.
This is a good discussion to have, though, and like I said, I remain optimistic about the magazine’s future, especially when I hear comments like this: “Do we have room for more in-depth reporting and social commentary? No question.” I look forward to seeing both implemented.
Aug 11th, 2008
Francis Shivone
I have never done a post on the magazine because my opinion is pretty much what I have read here. A magazine to a small market doesn’t first ask, what should we talk about? It asks, who will advertise? The answer to the second question determines the first.
I decided not to criticize it because it is only a “magazine” in appearance. With some exception, I don’t think a traditional “city” magazine is financially viable today.
Aug 17th, 2008
Buck
Fort Worth has a magazine?
Aug 19th, 2008
Quiet Sue
I worked for a company that if they purchased a full page add for $2500, they became one of the Top Whatevers in the Best of issue. Who says the rankings aren’t linked to cash?? HB’s full of crap - trust me!
Sep 5th, 2008
Karen
No Quiet Sue, you are full of crap. How juvenile to assume that your former employer’s practices are universal in the publication arena. You should remain quiet, as your name indicates, if you have nothing intelligent to say.
Sep 7th, 2008
Hal
BUCK … you can buy Fort Worth, Texas magazine at the mainline magazine isle, or at the registers, at all major Tarrant County grocery stores including Brookshire’s, Albertson’s, Winn Dixie, Minyards, Tom Thumb and Central Market. You can also buy it at Blockbuster, CVS, Drug Emporium, Eckerd Drugs and Walgreen’s, as well as every major bookstore in Tarrant County.
VINNYV … Regarding your comment that you don’t “measure success by the size of wallets,” we are on the same page. My comment was that “I am a fan of the successful people who have played a hand in making Fort Worth the great city that it is today.” There are many ways to assess a person’ success, and though wealth is one of them, it is certainly not the most significant.
As to what your comment about “what God thinks about money?” God does not hate money … He just hates it when it becomes our God. I’m personally concerned about the stability of our nation. World history is filled with empires that have failed because the men and women who ran them put their money and power first. A loss of morality has played a significant role in the downfall of all of the great empires. Morality in these empires became a problem when its citizens and leaders moved from a place of affluence to that of selfishness. As the citizens grew rich they became greedy. In doing so they eventually began to abuse wealth, military force, sex and speech. Money is not evil, but if not kept in check has the ability to allow us to become lazy and self-absorbed.
Thank you for your comments. FYI … regarding our ongoing mission of improving the magazine, I have not received any suggested story ideas from anyone involved in this blog.
FINALLY TO QUITE SUE … I’m a bit curious as to what axe you have to grind. Perhaps your former boss was upset that he or she did not make it into one of our Top Doc or Top Attorney listings and, thus, spread this falsehood. As I mentioned in my earlier post, if we named individuals to our Top Attorney or Top Doc lists simply because they advertised wouldn’t every one that advertised win? Take a look at any of our Top issues and you will see many advertisers who did not win. Your irresponsible and contemptuous accusation discredits all of the Top Docs and Attorneys who have earned the respect of their peers and are listed in theses issues.
To conduct our survey for these listings, each member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, Tarrant County Medical Society and the Tarrant County members of the Texas Board of Osteopathic Society was mailed a ballot to submit their votes. Only one ballot was accepted per voting attorney or doctor. Further, to help offset the advantage provided to larger firms, or practices, each nomination for an attorney or doctor inside a firm or practice had to be matched with a vote for an attorney or doctor in the same specialty outside of the practice or organization.
Sue, I’m pleased to accept criticism about the magazine, but please abstain from spreading irresponsible fabrications.
Sep 8th, 2008
Erinn
Fort Worth Magazine alerts clients, or potential clients, that they have been selected as a “winnner” or “top” in their field. Then they approach that business and try to get them to advertise, in the winners issue…. “Hey, congratulations on winning, how bout running an ad bragging about it?” Some say that is bad, sleazy business, some, like Hal say that is commerce. Let the readers decide. I think it’s rare that a winner doesn’t eventually spend money with them. That’s the game. His claim that those that advertise don’t automatically win is lame. That doesn’t address the issue. Of course he won’t automatically include them as winners, they already advertise. The issue is that he comes up with “winners” in the hopes that he can get new business that will spend money with him. Its a lot like a high school yearbook…….. If I run a picture of your daughter in the society page, will you run an ad congratulating her? Of course they will. It’s bad marketing at it’s best and a crummy way to do business. But hey, what do you expect from a shallow city magazine who will do anything to get an ad….even come up with a “winnner” to get it. Shame, shame, shame. Give us a break, we see what’s behind the curtain.
Sep 18th, 2008
Robert Chu
I have hear alot of uninformed banter go back and forth regarding the legitamacy of the Top lists in Fort Worth Magazine.
From personal experience, I can attest to the fairness of FW Magazine. I am an optometrist in Fort Worth. We have advertized in FW magazine every month for over 5 years. We advertise not to influence the Top list..but because it informs patients about our practices. This year for 2008 I was (finally) selected to the Top Docs list in the magazine for the FIRST TIME. To the doubtful (QUIET SUE), I challenge you to please look up the last 5 years of TOP DOC issues for proof. So, if it is indeed true that only those paying for advertising get the fast track to the Top list…then we would be on it since 2003! ..certainly NOT the case.
Fair is fair. FW magazine is indeed fair. I (along with the other professionals) have EARNED the selection based on votes by our professional peers. If you are in a certain profession, you will know who among your peers is good and who is not. Think of who you would have treat your own family members.
On another note…Over the last 5 years, I have observed FW Magazine’s evolution from a thin local magazine searching for identity to a more robust publiction that now serves as an authority on our region. It is certainly not perfect but definitely improving itself with every issue. In fact, I am actually proud of FW Magazine’s metamorphosis as I feel it mirrors the rapid growth of our city into a place we can all be proud of. -RC
Oct 8th, 2008
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