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A Note About Our July Cover

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Published Wednesday, June 24, 2009

We, like all Washingtonians, were deeply saddened by the Metro accident on Monday, June 22nd.

In an unfortunate coincidence, the July issue of The Washingtonian, on newsstands this week, features on the cover a stylized version of the iconic Metro map. As is normal for magazine publication schedules, the cover was planned over a month ago and is entirely unrelated to Monday's accident.

Our hearts are with the families of the victims and with the officials at Metro as they deal with this terrible tragedy.

Comments

I live in Arlington, and I can’t comprehend why this cover was viewed as being in distaste?... (even though it would have been impossible for Washingtonian to pull the cover by that point).

The spot referencing Woodley Park said nothing other than ’trendy clothes’ and ’classic handbags’ (for cleveland park: ’free concerts’) ....

Found a zoomed-in image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rllayman/3744625100/sizes/l/

Posted by: Tricia, Oct 03, 2009 04:35:41 PM

what is really sick is there is an ad specifically for metro crash attorneys on this web page.... that is trashy.... I thought ambulance chasing was a no-no

Posted by: Alix, Jul 22, 2009 10:08:57 AM

Not that it particularly matters, but I am also a PR person, and I believe the letter to readers was respectful and sufficient.

Posted by: Jamie, Jun 29, 2009 08:00:34 PM

Dear Washingtonian Magazine,

I think it is nice from you—and respectful to post this note apologizing for your cover and explaining what happened.

As a professional in the field of design and magazines—and knowledge of PR— I find this note not as a valid excuse.

The cover does not offend me, I am simply amazed that a group of professionals let this one slip. It speaks against you.

Typically, if there is an error on the cover of the magazine, you would pull it out from the press (generally speaking). But it looks like you were so fond of your cover idea that you let it slip, or maybe you did not want to mess with your tight schedules.

If I were the director of communications of this magazine, I would have backed up from this cover, no matter the production status. I would have changed it and released it later.

Plans can be changed to improve your image and/or a situation. In the field of communications, there is something called: Crisis Communication.

I hope you understand my point, and are not offended, but I think that by releasing such a cover, you’ll need to get ready for some reactions. Mine, I believe a constructive and honest one.

In addition, I would like to say that the Washington audience is a very complex one, and this is not the first time a cover of your offends your own audience. I think that fortunately—or not— having a Washington audience is tricky and challenging and you must manage it well.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity of sharing my thoughts.

Juana

Posted by: a subscriber, Jun 29, 2009 07:34:10 AM

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