Welcome!

Women’s Media Group is a New York-based nonprofit association of women who have achieved prominence in the many fields of media. Our members, drawn from book, magazine, and newspaper publishing; film, television, online and other digital media, meet, collaborate, inform and support one another as well as mentoring young women interested in publishing careers.  Find out more on the About Us page.

Interested in Joining Women's Media Group?

If you are a woman working in publishing and media in the New York City or surrounding areas, we'd like an opportunity to get to know you better and perhaps invite you to become a member. Please check out our website to learn more about us. If you'd like to contact us about joining, please e-mail [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.

[email protected]: Gretchen Rubin in conversation with Jenny Blake, November 7th at Upper Story

Gretchen Rubin is one of today's most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She's the author of blockbuster New York Times bestsellers The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, and The Happiness Project and host of the popular podcast Happier. Did you know that she was once a member of WMG? Well, she's back to share her wisdom with you! Gretchen will be in conversation with career and business strategist Jenny Blake, author of the award-winning book Pivot and host of the Pivot podcast. The dynamic discussion will focus on:

• Building a Brand: Gretchen has built a huge global brand - she has sold millions of books, has over 42 million podcast downloads, and over 2.3 million YouTube views! How did she do it?
  
  
• Pivoting: She made major pivots - how did she know it was the right time and right move? 
  
  
• Happiness: We all want to be happier - Hear from the expert!
  
  
• Habits: How can you master yourself and create healthy habits that last (and why aren't rewards always helpful for this)?
  
  
• The Four Tendencies: How can you figure out your tendencies and how can this help you?
  
  
• Outer Order, Inner Calm: How can you make room for happiness in your life and make choices to create order and cultivate beauty?
  
  
• And get answers to your questions!

Guests welcome. Please RSVP here

WHEN: Wednesday, November 7 from 12:30-2:00 pm
WHERE: Upper Story, 979 3rd Avenue, between 58th and 59th Streets, 14th floor
COST: $55.00

RSVP/CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Monday, November 5 at 6pm

WMG Spins the Wheel of Wisdom

By Candi S. Cross 

Nowhere else would you get unprecedented advice on six life matters in the span of two hours but WMG’s “Rise Up Roulette.” On Wednesday, October 10, all brains were ablaze and ears perked up for answers to questions on top talent recruitment, personal branding, meaningful transitions, crowdfunding, transforming passions into cash, attitude overhauls, and much more.

Presented in a contemporary format of learning in small groups for short spurts of time, “Rise Up Roulette” allowed 50 members to engage with a select band of bestselling authors and experts, who traveled from table to table to educate and inspire. Conversations were rich and resourceful to say the least—so much so that collectively, about 100 questions were addressed!

Here are a few highlights of the evening:

• How to Network Like a Pro, with Kelly Hoey: Kelly, who has been hailed as “1 of 5 Women Changing the World of VC/Entrepreneurship” (Forbes) and one of the “25 Smartest Women on Twitter” (Fast Company), emphasized that networks must be created and cultivated thoughtfully. Each social media vehicle offers something different to your network; know your objectives before investing in each, and remember that in-person networking will still get you closer to big goals like finding investors. Her latest book is BUILD YOUR DREAM NETWORK. Quote of the eve: “Don’t deny your network the opportunity to help you.”
  
  
• How to Figure Out Your Next Chapter, with Susan Gordon: Susan, the president and owner of Lynne Palmer Executive Recruitment, provided a guide for evaluating your next chapter. The five steps are: taking a personal assessment, doing research, planning your personal roadmap, knowing your story on why you’re changing paths, and ensuring you are ready to move forward by updating social media and joining new relevant groups. Quote of the eve: “Whatever you do for work, being happy is key!” 
  
  
• How to Find Luck at Work, with Janice Kaplan: Janice, the author of 14 books and former editor-in-chief of Parade, advocated for being positive about where you are in any given moment, even in the trenches of a negative experience, because resentment or bitterness has dire consequences. She also suggested to always being open to unexpected directions because the outcome may be more fulfilling. Her latest book is HOW LUCK HAPPENS. Quote of the eve: “Gratitude can never be overrated or overstated.”
  
  
• How to be Fearless, with Kate White: Kate, a New York Times bestselling author of several influential books for women and former editor-in-chief of five prestigious U.S. magazines, including Cosmopolitan for 14 years, stressed that courage is the hottest ticket in getting ahead. Exercising courage in your decision making, leadership style and goal setting will bring more satisfaction than stalling or avoidance. Her latest book is THE GUTSY GIRL HANDBOOK. Quote of the eve: “This is about taking a bolder, grittier, gutsier approach in your quest for career success.”
  
  
• How to be Mentally Strong, with Amy Morin: Amy, a psychotherapist turned author and an instantly successful one, having started with an article that was read by 50 million people, shared a deeply personal story of tragedies leading to her optimum mental strength. She insisted that anyone can institute specific habits that breed mental strength fit for what could otherwise feel like an insurmountable odd. Her latest book is 13 THINGS MENTALLY STRONG WOMEN DON'T DO. Perhaps Amy’s most popular tip of the evening could be summarized in her quote: “Sometimes we think too much, wasting a lot of time on dread and anxiety.”
  
  
• How to Cultivate and Work a Side Hustle, with Susie Moore: Susie, a high-performance coach and advisor to high-growth startups in Silicon Valley and New York City, described mesmerizing “side hustles,” or passions and interests yet to be explored for revenue. Spoken from a woman who has helped build three startups, all of which were sold, she advised to feel out your skill sets that could be used beyond your main career. Catering, organizing, and matchmaking in business and dating were just a few examples she discussed. Susie’s book is WHAT IF IT DOES WORK OUT? Quote of the eve: “If you are good at something, you may not need ‘credentials’ to build a side hustle.”

Thanks to Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine on hand to sell books and speakers’ willingness to connect with members beyond the event, this wheel of wisdom for WMG will continue to spin!

 
 
Photo Credit: Charlotte Abbott; Candi S. Cross; Shanta Speller

Literacy Partners Breakfast Series

One of WMG's founding members Joni Evans is hosting the October 30th Literacy Partners Breakfast Series, a conversation with legendary editor in chief Michael Korda. Click here for more information and tickets to this event.

WMG Special Event: Rise Up Roulette October 10th 6:30-8pm

*MEMBERS ONLY EVENT*

You heard our new presidents announce WMG's new mission in June: To help each other and all women Rise Up!

To accomplish this, we've planned a power-packed, all-star event for October called "Rise Up Roulette."

Expert authors and coaches will be sharing their wisdom and divulging strategies to help you Rise Up in your professional (and personal) life, including:

• How to be Fearless: Kate White (Longtime Cosmo Editor-in-Chief, bestselling author of The Gutsy Girl Handbook and 12 suspense novels)
  
  
• How to Cultivate and Work a Side Hustle: Susie Moore (Confidence Coach and bestselling author of What if it DOES Work Out?)
  
  
• How to be Mentally Strong: Amy Morin (Author of 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do: Own Your Power, Channel Your Confidence, and Find Your Authentic Voice for a Life of Meaning and Joy)
  
  
• How to Find Luck at Work: Janice Kaplan (Author of The Gratitude Diaries and How Luck Happens)
  
  
• How to Network like a Pro: Kelly Hoey (Author of Build Your Dream Network)
  
  
• How to Figure Out Your Next Chapter: Susan Gordon (Owner, Lynne Palmer Executive Recruitment)

You will have an incredible opportunity to talk to these experts in small groups as they travel from table to table (that's the "roulette" part!).

Light bites and wine will be provided. Books from these experts will be available for purchase and signing.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 10 from 6:30-8:00 pm | RSVP here
WHERE: WeWork at 750 Lexington Avenue (entrance on 59th street, btwn. Lex & Park)
COST: $35 members only - space is limited!

[email protected]: Leveraging Trends in Audiobook Publishing, September 12th at Barbetta Restaurant

Just how hot are audiobooks? They continue to grow, surpassing all estimates!

Did you know:

• Nearly one-in-five Americans now listen to audiobooks - Pew Research, 2018
• Publishers, such as Hachette, Penguin Random House, and Macmillan have doubled their audiobook production in the last few years. - The New York Times, June 2018
• In the first eight months of 2017, publishers’ revenue from audiobooks grew 20% from the same period a year earlier, while print books only rose 1.5% and e-books slipped 5.4%, according to the Association of American Publishers, which collects data reported by 1,200 publishers. - Wall Street Journal, Feb. 2018

Come hear all about them from an all-star panel at our next lunchtime [email protected] on Sept 12th. You’ll hear from:

• Nita Basu (Senior Marketing & Publicity Coordinator, Hachette Audio)
• Beth Anderson (EVP & Publisher, Audible, Inc.)
• Amanda D'Acierno (President, Publisher, Penguin Random House Audio Group)
• Mary Beth Roche (President and Publisher, Macmillan Audio)

The moderator is expert Robin Whitten - she founded Audiofile magazine more than 25 years ago! She will help us find out:

• Who is listening? 
• What content is working?
• Where should our marketing be focused?
• How should we think about audiobook metadata?
• Why is now the right time to invest in the audio format?
• And get answers to your questions!

Guests welcome. Please RSVP here

WHEN: Wednesday, September 12 from 12:30-2:00 pm
WHERE: Barbetta Restaurant, 321 W 46th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues - NOTE NEW LOCATION FOR THIS LUNCHEON ONLY
COST: $55.00
RSVP/CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Monday, September 10 at 6pm

WOMEN’S MEDIA GROUP ANNOUNCES THE 2018 FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS

NEW YORK, NY (August 8, 2018) - The Women’s Media Group announced the recipients of its 2018 Fellowship, created to support young women of color who are interested in publishing careers. Two women were honored during a luncheon which took place at the Upper Story restaurant in New York City on June 14, 2018. The fellowships were presented by Miral Sattar of Bibliocrunch, who is WMG’s Co-President, along with Dee Dee De Bartlo of De Bartlo & Co.

In recent years, WMG has partnered with Retha Powers, Assistant Director of the Publishing Certificate Program (PCP) at the City College of New York, to identify students who show exceptional promise and a strong commitment to working in media. Fellowship recipients receive invitations to WMG events over the summer, one-on-one mentoring from its members, and a stipend to help cover living costs, among other benefits.

Jennifer A. Perry, Vice President, Worldwide Publishing, at Sesame Workshop, was host to the two WMG Summer Fellows for a one-day mentorship focused on licensed publishing. Said Perry, “My whole team was involved—they were excited to share their personal career paths as well as their expertise to help nurture the next generation of publishing professionals.”

 
Worldwide Publishing at Sesame Workshop was host to the Women’s Media Group Fellowship recipients for a one-day mentorship focused on licensed publishing. l. to r.: Aurora Soriano, Jennifer A. Perry of Worldwide Publishing / Sesame Workshop, and Tahmena Hussain.

The 2018 WMG Fellowship Recipients

• TAHMENA HUSSAIN graduated from The City College of New York, with a B.A. in English Creative Writing. She has been on the Dean's List, 2016, and her attention to detail in her writing earned her The David Markowitz Essay Award, 2017. Shortly after graduation, Tahmena interned at Penguin Random House with Penguin Young Readers Group in the publicity department writing pitch letters, researching bloggers and media outlets, and drafting itineraries for author tours.

• AURORA SORIANO is an English Literature major and Theatre minor at the City College of New York, where she is also enrolled in the Publishing Certificate Program. She is an English Honors student, and loves reading both contemporary YA novels and classic literature. Aurora is the current feature editor and a staff writer for CCNY's magazine The Campus, and is interning with the Children's Department of McIntosh & Otis this summer.

The WMG Fellowship and Scholarship Committee Members Are:

• Moira Bailey, Editorial Director, Public Affairs at Empire State Development
• Michelle Burford, Michelle Burford Editorial Services LLC
• Emi Ikkanda, Senior Editor, Spiegel & Grau
• Kristine Puopolo, Executive Editor, Doubleday Books
• Darcie Rowan, Darcie Rowan PR & Social Media
• Tessa Shanks, Business Manager, W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

“We look forward to mentoring and working with these outstanding young women and we hope to contribute to more diversity in the book industry by welcoming them into our community,” said Miral Sattar, Co-President of WMG.

###

MEDIA CONTACT:
Susannah Greenberg
Susannah Greenberg Public Relations
646.801.7477 / [email protected]

The Women's Media Group provides a forum for networking, career development and advocacy. Activities include monthly meetings, seminars, cultural events. The group also runs a college fellowship for minority women.

WMG is proud of the accomplishments and diversity of its members and seeks to advance the position of all women through the power of communication and media.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Women's Media Group
PO Box 2119
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
[email protected]

​​​​[email protected]: The Power of Influencer Marketing on June 14 at Upper Story

With the readership of newspapers and magazines waning and the decline in radio and TV viewership, influencer marketing has proven to be one of the most effective forms of advertising and publicity. It was on every trend list in 2017 and will continue to be a focus in 2018. Influencer engagement is important - not just to grow your author or brand's reach through a vibrant marketing channel, but also to learn from thought leaders, stay up to date on the trends, and maximize your author and brand's relevance.

We are thrilled to welcome a panel of experts on the topic of influencer marketing to our lunchtime [email protected] on June 14th at Upper Story. You'll hear from:

• Stephanie Smith of United Talent Agency's IQ, UTA's social media strategy division
  
  
• Tina Cervera former SVP of VaynerMedia and current chief creative and digital officer of Lippe Taylor
  
  
• Jodi McKee, photographer, blogger, social media influencer with over 4 million followers on Pinterest
  
  
• Sara Yasin, Deputy Director News Curation at Buzzfeed.

Our panel will be moderated by author, journalist, and social media innovator Ann Shoket who will ask our panelists:

• What makes for an influencer? 
• How do you build influence?
• How do influencers work with publishers, brands, and personalities and how do we work with influencers?
• Who are influencers trying to influence and what are they and we getting out of it?
• How do influencers create robust engagement? 
• How do we truly measure influence?
• Where is influencer marketing headed?

There will be plenty of time for Q&A and dialogue.

Guests welcome. Please RSVP here

WHEN: Thursday, June 14 from 12:30-2:00 pm

WHERE: Upper Story at 979 3rd Avenue between 58th & 59th Streets.

COST: $55.00

RSVP DEADLINE: Monday, June 11 at 6pm

CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Monday, June 11 at 6pm

​​​​Terri Trespicio Master Class

On Friday, May 11 at Random House Terri Trespicio gave a terrific master class on Why Every Author Needs a TEDx Talk...and What It Takes to Get One.

Terri Trespicio is a WMG member and award-winning writer, speaker, and branding pro, who works with individuals and organizations to help nail their messaging and craft signature TEDx talks. Her TEDx talk, "Stop Searching for Your Passion" earned more than 3.6 million views to date.

Find out more on how she can help you or your authors do a killer TED Talk at https://territrespicio.com

​​​​WMG Small Dinner

On May 10, 2018 Pam Krauss hosted a delicious small dinner in her beautiful home.

WMG Small Dinner

Bridget Marmion's hosted a Small Dinner on April 26th, here's the group enjoying the rooftop.

Jill Sansone hosted a Small Dinner at her home.

Susan Knopf’s Small Dinner at the restaurant Thaimee Table. The group discussed everything from the history of the WMG, projects we’re working on, and lots more.

​​​​WMG Business and New Member Luncheon

Please note we have moved our annual business and new member luncheon to Thursday, April 19th (it had been scheduled for March 27). It will still be at Upper Story. This lunch is for members only. At this event, in addition to voting in the new board and welcoming new members who've joined over the past year, and our popular annual Media Swap, we will also honor our WMG Woman of the Year 2018. This year we are thrilled to honor Jean Naggar for her illustrious career.

Our March business luncheon is always a high point that affirms our bond, continuity, and growth as a community. We look forward to seeing you there!

An email with a reservation link will be sent out.​

​​​​WMG Brown Bag:  CEO of Cookit Media on How Influencers Build their Brand and How You and Your Clients Can Too

Please join us for an inspiring and informative talk on how influencers build their brand and how you and your clients can too with Laurie Buckle, Founder + CEO of CookIt Media, a Los Angeles-based digital media agency, at our February 26th Brown Bag lunch at Random House. (Note Laurie has to fly later that afternoon back to LA so we will start the talk as close to 12:30 as possible.)

Laurie launched CookIt Media in 2014 with the goal of helping influencers create a unique brand strategy — a story that would resonate with a target audience and set them apart in a saturated market. Wanting to provide her influencers with brand partnerships that fit their goals and vision, as well as ongoing brand consulting, CookIt added brand management to their offerings in 2015. CookIt’s collective expertise in content production led to the creation of the content studio in 2016, which works directly with brands and influencers to create smart, engaging content that elevates their brand and grows their business.

Her passionate vision and ideas will help you and your clients ignite powerful and effective brand strategies.

​We will leave plenty of time for Q&A.

ABOUT LAURIE BUCKLE

Laurie is the Founder + CEO of CookIt Media, a Los Angeles-based digital media agency that works with food influencers to help them become bigger, better businesses. She is also on the board of directors of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP).

Laurie has more than three decades of experience in food publishing. She held key positions at Bon Appétit, Better Homes & Gardens, and Kitchn. As Editor in Chief of Fine Cooking magazine, she successfully redesigned and relaunched the brand. Her passion for storytelling and deep experience in content development inform every project CookIt takes on, from helping an influencer find their true north to helping a brand truly win at social.​​​​

Guests welcome. Please RSVP here​​.

WHEN: Monday, February 26 from 12:30-2:00 pm. Please arrive by 12:30 as we'll start the talk as close to 12:30 as possible as Laurie needs to depart for the airport.

WHERE: Random House, 1745 Broadway, between 54th & 55th Streets, Dr. Seuss room on the 14th floor

COST: Free

RSVP DEADLINE: Friday, February 22 at 6pm

WMG Small Dinner at Notaro Ristorante

 Lovely small dinner at Notaro Ristorante on the east side.  Great food and great company.

WMG Winter Luncheon: What men need to know (and women need to tell them) about working together

As stories of sexual harassment and assault continue to proliferate, we need to talk about how to use the #metoo moment to make systemic, lasting changes that empower women as true equals and create​​ a​ safe and ​dynamic working environment which benefits women​ and men.

​​Please join us on February 6 at Upper Story for an illuminating and important in-conversation with Joanne Lipman, author of the new book ​THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID: What Men Need to Know (and Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together​. Lipman, a veteran journalist, began her career as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, ultimately rising to deputy managing editor​​—the first woman to attain that post​​—and recently stepped down from serving as Chief Content Officer of Gannett and Editor-in-Chief of USA TODAY​.

Lipman​ ​partly based her new book on a ​controversial ​article​ she wrote for the Wall Street Journal in 2014 titled​ ​​Women At Work: A Guide for Men. Her goal, she said "was to get to the bottom of issues that men face every day" when it comes to understanding their female colleagues and leveling the playing field. ​

Among the topics ​she'll address ​with moderator Ann Shoket​:

• ​Sexual harassment
• ​​The respect gap
• Unconscious bias​
• Interruptions
• The pay and promotion gap
• The motherhood penalty
• “Bropropriation” and “mansplaining”
• And more….

​​There will be plenty of time for Q&A ​and dialogue.
​ 
​​The lunch will be hosted at Upper Story on Tuesday, ​February 6 at 12:30 PM.

​​Guests welcome. Please RSVP here​​​​.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 6 from 12:30-2:00 pm

WHERE: Upper Story at 979 3rd Avenue between 58th & 59th Streets.

COST: $60.00

RSVP DEADLINE: Thursday, ​February 2 at 6pm

CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Thursday, ​February 2 at 6pm

​ABOUT JOANNE LIPMAN

​​Joanne Lipman is the author of THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID: What Men Need to Know (and Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together, published by William Morrow (January 30, 2018).​​ A veteran journalist, she has served as Chief Content Officer of Gannett, and Editor-in-Chief of USA TODAY. She began her career as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, ultimately rising to deputy managing editor—the first woman to attain that post—and supervising coverage that won three Pulitzer Prizes. Subsequently, she was founding editor-in-chief of Portfolio magazine and portfolio.com, which won Loeb and National Magazine Awards.

Lipman has pioneered integrating gender equality into the workplace. She has written on the topic for publications including The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA TODAY and Time. As one of the most senior women in the media industry, she has actively promoted women in the newsrooms she leads.

A frequent speaker about women in the workplace, she has addressed mixed-gender groups at major law firms, banks, professional and civic organizations, on issues such as unconscious bias, women in leadership, and bringing men into the conversation about gender equality. Recent speaking engagements on women's issues include the Aspen Ideas Festival, the World Economic Forum in Davos, and Women in Cable Television's national leadership conference, which she keynoted with Katie Couric.​ 
​
Lipman is a winner of the Matrix Award for women in media. She and her husband live in New York City and are the parents of two children.

​ABOUT ANN SHOKET

Ann Shoket has been a key architect in shaping the national conversation about and for millennial women. ​​Over the last 15 years, ​she brought two major young women’s publications to number one across every platform. As Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen from 2007 to 2014, Shoket repositioned the iconic fashion and beauty brand to dominate as the most relevant voice for its 13 million readers. As part of the launch team of CosmoGIRL in 1999, she helped revolutionize teen magazines by talking openly about important emotional issues that weren’t yet addressed by traditional publications.

Shoket’s book, The Big Life​,​ is a guide for millennial women who are changing what it means to be powerful and successful in the world​.

WMG Holiday Party

Please join us for our Women's Media Group Holiday Party!

Tuesday, December 5th from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Where: 1280 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor (at 109th Street)

This free event is for members only.

Interested in more of our past events and posts? Check out our archive by clicking here.