I started my internship at Suburban Life Media on Wednesday and the day did not get off to a good start. I woke up at 6 a.m. in order to arrive in Crystal Lake for orientation at 9. It was an hour and 20 minute drive with traffic and it started to pour. I was rushed to the facility but the experience was rewarding. I filled out some forms and we were able to get a look inside the headquarters of the parent company, Shaw Media. We were able to talk with advertising, marketing, accounting, photography, newspaper editors and a magazine editor. It was interesting because I was able to see the inner-workings of the brand instead of just the newsroom. Shaw Media also has a coupon and event information website called PlanIt with sites for northern areas near Crystal Lake as well as a PlanIt Life for the area near our office in Downers Grove. The site has coupons for restaurants and events as well as articles about what events to attend in your area. The website seems like a unique place that combines couponing and journalism that caters to different areas in the Chicago suburbs.
Speaking with the editor of Kane County and McHenry County magazines, I was able to get an insight on how local magazines work. Because they are county magazines, the magazine is able to cover different areas that may carry over to be content for other regional magazines. Each magazine has a theme each month and they coordinate sources to talk to based on that. The May issue was the Women’s Issue while June will be the Father’s Issue.
I also spoke to the editor of the new Suburban Life magazine, which covers towns such as Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale and Lagrange. The first issue just launched for May and she said I might be able to come to photo shoots and write features.
So far, my experience at Suburban Life Media seems potentially exciting with many opportunities The newspapers are organized well with content throughout DuPage, Cook County etc. And I might have the chance to work with the new magazine.
KC Digital Marketing | Becky Neems 