• by Rita Cohen , Op-Ed Contributor, April 19, 2022

I write to correct several mischaracterizations in the recent commentary entitled, MPA Absorbed By A Newspaper Association: Big News, But Not Surprising.

First, as to status. While discussions are ongoing, a potential merger of MPA and the News Media Alliance (NMA) is still subject to approval by the memberships of both organizations at this time. 

Second, contrary to how it was described, MPA has been thriving.

Our membership continues to include the leaders of major magazine publishing empires as well as smaller enthusiast-publishing companies.  Like all associations, we have evolved over time, and we continue to deliver the educational and benchmarking content on which our members rely, including the 2021 Magazine Media Factbook, and advocate for our industry before federal and state public policymakers.

The article speculates incorrectly on the nature and rationale for a possible merger of the two well-established and respected organizations.

The magazine media industry has, and continues to expand -- as have all media -- into multi-media brands, incorporating print, digital, video, experiential, and more.  Our brand audiences are strong and remain beloved by readers and consumers writ large.

Magazine media publishers continue to create original, curated content that educates and inspires our readers, and which they can consume how and when they wish.  As with news publishing, the overall audience for our content – across all formats – is engaged, passionate and growing.

Magazine media and news publishers share a common goal to ensure a vibrant future for quality journalism.

If the memberships of MPA and NMA do decide to create a joint association, our combined strength will offer an opportunity to expand activities for our members and to work together to leverage a collective voice to create a bright and thriving future for publishers.  That possibility is something to applaud, not lament.