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CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 8, 2014--The Business Journals has hired Mary Johnson as editor of Bizwomen, its new national news site for women business owners and professionals.
(Photo: Business Wire)
Johnson comes to Bizwomen from NJBiz, a New Jersey business publication where she served as managing editor. Before that, she was a reporter, producer and editor at DNAinfo, the New York City news site. She also gained multimedia and broadcast experience at stints with The Economist and other titles.
"For me, there is a huge sense of responsibility that comes with being the editor of Bizwomen," Johnson said. "I want Bizwomen to be a destination for breaking news, exclusives, in-depth profiles and multimedia content people want to engage with. I also want Bizwomen to become a community for women in business, one where they can engage with others across the country on hot-button issues, but also one where they can weigh in how the site is evolving. It's brand new, and I want our readers to help drive its vision. "
Bizwomen began driving that vision April 7 with the launch of its site and a "Mentoring Monday" event in 40 cities across the country where American City Business Journals publishes -- local business publications and news sites. Hundreds of women business leaders came together to mentor thousands of up-and-coming women professionals in a "speed dating" format.
That national push to build community among business women is reflective of the editorial mission of Bizwomen, a mission for which Johnson is well-qualified.
"Mary is an accomplished journalist who brings to the table a remarkable variety of experiences and talents," said Emory Thomas, chief content officer of American City Business Journals, parent company of The Business Journals and Bizwomen. "As both a reporter and editor, she has a proven ability to identify and build loyal audiences. Her news judgment is sharp and perceptive, and she's a strong newsroom leader. ACBJ is fortunate to have someone of Mary's caliber heading this important new media title for us."
Johnson has extensive experience in print and digital journalism, as well as other media. In addition to working at NJBiz and DNAinfo, she served as a multimedia production resident at The Economist, an assistant editor at Columbia Law School Magazine, a staff writer and on-air correspondent at the Hartford Business Journal and a senior editor at the El Paso Media Group, which published "El Paso Magazine," among other titles.
She holds an undergraduate degree in magazine journalism from the University of Florida and a master's from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Johnson said she's eager to help Bizwomen become an essential source of news and insights, one that earns must-read status among women business professionals.
"I see the need in the faces of the women I talk to," she said. "When I tell them about Bizwomen and what the site will become, they aren't just intrigued; they're ecstatic. And several have gone so far as to say, 'It's about time.' There are a lot of blogs and other sites out there that deal with women in business, but there's a real appetite for a dedicated news site that covers the subject with integrity and enthusiasm."
Thomas, who oversees all of ACBJ's news operations from the company's corporate headquarters in Charlotte, agreed.
"Simply put, there's a vacuum in the realm of news and information geared to women business leaders, and we aim to fill it," he said. "With hundreds of business journalists stationed in more than 40 cities across the country, ACBJ is uniquely positioned to fulfill the needs of this important audience. We have built strong local followings for our coverage and events focusing on women in business; now it's time to take that focus to a national level."
The Business Journals is the country's largest company dedicated to the reporting of local business news. Its digital operations attract more than 10 million unique visitors a month.
"Women don't want to be talked down to or to read only those stories that celebrate those who claim to 'have it all,'" Johnson said. "They want to read real news about real women in business, period."
Johnson begins her role as editor of Bizwomen on April 14.
About American City Business Journals
American City Business Journals is the nation’s premier print and digital publisher of local business news with 43 business journals in markets across the country. It is a subsidiary Advance Publishing, Inc., whose properties include Condé Nast Publications, and the Fairchild and Golf Digest Companies.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140408006372/en/
CONTACT: American City Business Journals
Emory Thomas, Chief Content Officer
704-973-1060
ethomas@bizjournals.com
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NORTH CAROLINA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: WOMEN COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHING OTHER COMMUNICATIONS CONSUMER
SOURCE: American City Business Journals
Copyright Business Wire 2014
PUB: 04/08/2014 12:55 PM/DISC: 04/08/2014 12:55 PM
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