Co-founder and editor in chief, ManAboutWorld magazine; author: LGBT Handbook of Tourism & Hospitality Marketing (2016).
What led you to start working in digital/media publishing?
I’ve been in digital media since the early days. In 1998 I started work at a print publication called Out & About which launched a website that year. I started working on both print and digital that year and continued in both till 2009. In 2012 I launched ManAboutWorld with my business partner Billy Kolber which is an app-based 10-issue a year digital/mobile publication available for iOS and Android devices.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Pretty varied and often crazy. We work on the magazine’s editorial content and we also work to fulfill our client’s advertising, custom content and other needs. ManAboutWorld also offers consulting services including strategy in the LGBT space; LGBT sensitivity training; and other services. That all keeps us busy. I also do outside consulting work, most frequently in research. My background includes a degree in mathematics from Harvard and an MBA in market research. So I often work on outside projects that sometimes crowds into my regular day.
I also wrote a book, the Handbook of LGBT Tourism & Hospitality Marketing which published this year – https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-LGBT-Tourism-Hospitality-Business/dp/1939594189.
I’m frequently invited to speak at travel conferences around the world by organizations interested in the LGBT travel segment. That keeps me busy too.
What’s your work setup look like?
I use a MacBook Air with all the usual business apps.
What do you do or go to get inspired?
I love to travel and tell people about my trips. I’m also deeply concerned about LGBT travel safety so I think about our readers who depend on us sometimes quite literally to stay safe and alive. That’s a sacred trust I take very seriously.
What’s your favorite piece of writing or quote?
I love Mark Twain. Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.
What is the passionate problem you are tackling at the moment?
Every year I run a travel auction for OutRight Action International, which fights to protect and expand rights of LGBT people all over the world, including in places where homosexuality is criminalized. Last year we raised $30,000 from donations. I spend the year identifying and developing potential donors so we can continue to increase the amount of money raised.
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Is there a product, solution or tool that makes you think it is a good design for your digital publishing efforts?
We use Mag+ to publish our magazine. I don’t have direct oversight of this product but it seems to meet all our needs.
Any advice for ambitious digital publishing and media professionals just starting out?
Know that it’s going to take much longer to establish yourself than you think. Also, focus! It’s so easy to get pulled in 100 different directions. I’m guilty of this many times.
