How important is it to have your name on the masthead?

[softgrey]

what do you think?...

do people really pay attention to that stuff...
how important is it in the industry really?

what do you guys think?

i'm wondering...

 

[jennifer716]

I think it's pretty important. I'm an editorial assistant at the magazine I work at, yet every issue, I'm only on as Contributer and that really bothers me cause I work just as hard as the rest of the team, yet I don't relaly think I get the proper recognition and I don't think people really take me seriously as part of the mag. It's as if I was just a freelancer, when in fact, I do so much more...

 

[Lena]

i dont understand what 'masthead' means,
but if its is about crediting my work, its a must to me, i wont style or write a thing without claiming credit..

sometimes it may be too much references to my name in every issue (since i'm involved in too many projects in the mags i work) but it will help when i'll soon have to ask for a rise

i'd say dont do anything uncredited

 

[Stylebites]

i dont understand what 'masthead' means,
but if its is about crediting my work, its a must to me, i wont style or write a thing without claiming credit..

The masthead is the section (usually near the front) of a magazine or newspaper where the staff is named. The first masthead usually consists of the creative staff and the second names the business/distribution/advertising staff.

I also get ticked when a magazine forgets to list me, or lists me incorrectly. In one recent case, 4 people who didn't contribute anything to the issue were listed and I was forgotten. What's the deal? They obviously didn't re-check their type before they went to print. In the end I wasn't that upset because they did remember to credit me in the "gutter" of the actual pages. In a contributors case this is fine with me.

I do style some jobs for no credit (advertising of course) or under a false name (if the job really sucked and I don't want to be associated with it...like a filmmaker taking an "Alan Smithee" credit).

I think that the masthead is quite important if you're working in one city and expect to change jobs in the future. Management of other magazines keeps an eye on the mastheads in their market, so if you go in with one title on your CV/resume and they've never seen you listed as doing that title in the masthead, you're going to raise some eyebrows.

 

[Avant Garde]

Whenever I flip through Vogue, Anna Wintour's name is always on the top and in the biggest font out of everyone else's name. Its definetly a reflection of how much power she has. Either that, or she has a big ego

 

[Alejandro]

Anna Wintour? ooh never how could she be like that???

 

[Avant Garde]

^ Its definetly both

But if I were her, I'd do the same.

 

[Avant Garde]

The case of the missing masthead

Oh, the masthead. It's the bizarre holy grail of magazine hierarchy. Editors, from the time they are mere interns, executive assistants, and EAs, dream that someday their names will loom over a sea of underthings.

The Atlantic, (formerly Atlantic Monthly) is, undoubtedly, no exception. Regarded by some as one of the top publications in the nation, working there is what young journos dream of their entire lives. Little boys reading the book reviews in Couriers and Heralds everywhere don't see their name in lights. They see their name in bold, on a masthead.

Recently, though, David Bradley decided to shake things up a bit. After his mag lost their EIC, Bradley pulled a Village Voice move, keeping the managing editor in an EIC role with no title change. Then that guy left, so ... now they just don't have any masthead at all. (Except the one that's still online.)

The accompanying editorial changeover, however, is on a slower schedule. Rather than showcasing a rebuilt masthead, the current issue of The Atlantic includes no masthead at all.​

The New Yorker doesn't have a masthead, which seems to work for them. But can you imagine if all the mastheads disappeared from Conde Nast magazines? Everyone would be, looking at people they weren't supposed to be looking at, answering e-mails from their senior editors, sitting at the wrong tables at lunch, eating omelets all over the place. It would just be utter, complete madness. And soo much fun to watch

jossip

 

[nappywun]

Having your name in the masthead is very important both for credit purposes and for re-enforcing your resume. Other magazine editors and staff pay special attention to mastheads to see who is has moved from one publication to another and who's moving up in the industry. The masthead can serve as a resume builder as others see your title change. The higher up you are in the masthead inplies the more influence you have on the production of it.

 

[lmelanie]

im just an intern but I like seeing my name on the masthead.even if it is under interns

 

[thesiren]

i was interning for an online fashion magazine. first, i was under contributors, now i'm under staff, but i still don't get paid.

 

[Lena]

thanks stylebites

 

[smartarse]

But of course, she always sees everything that goes in. Especially when it comes to The Editrix name in bold. B)

Whenever I flip through Vogue, Anna Wintour's name is always on the top and in the biggest font out of everyone else's name. Its definetly a reflection of how much power she has. Either that, or she has a big ego

 

[softgrey]

i understand what it means to full time staffers....
but what about for freelancers...
and what about if the publications you work for are foreign...

i mean...
i know people are checking the conde nast mastheads...
but are they checking numero, flair, oyster...etc...?

and if you have on-page credit are you still demanding a place on the masthead...?

 

[Stylebites]

i understand what it means to full time staffers....
but what about for freelancers...
and what about if the publications you work for are foreign...

i mean...
i know people are checking the conde nast mastheads...
but are they checking numero, flair, oyster...etc...?

and if you have on-page credit are you still demanding a place on the masthead...?

No matter where the magazine I'm reading comes from, I find I always glance over the masthead. Not that I look for staff shifts (like I do with Conde Nast's titles) but it helps to get an idea of who's out there.

When freelancing for a magazine I make it a rule to only request a masthead credit if they are in the habit of naming other freelancers there. I've never had anyone get bent out of shape for asking, so it never hurts! Often the graphic designers are so busy with the layout that they'll easily forget to give you credit on the masthead. Remind them!

 

[softgrey]

ok-thanks for your feedback...
you're right...doesn't hurt to ask...

 

[Lena]

i understand what it means to full time staffers....
but what about for freelancers...
and what about if the publications you work for are foreign...

i mean...
i know people are checking the conde nast mastheads...
but are they checking numero, flair, oyster...etc...?

and if you have on-page credit are you still demanding a place on the masthead...?

freelancers deserve their place on masthead and like stylebites, i always have a quick glance to all magazines comming my way
its a good way to prove one's collaboration with a publication, so never mind what the magazine i'd say, always ask to be mentioned, its the best way to get new offers for work

 

[smartarse]

but let's just say the conditions (contract) were that you're only a freelancer for the company not on their regular payroll therefore, you cannot or should not asked for recognition which includes, no masthead included. cases like that do occur.

freelancers deserve their place on masthead and like stylebites, i always have a quick glance to all magazines comming my way
its a good way to prove one's collaboration with a publication, so never mind what the magazine i'd say, always ask to be mentioned, its the best way to get new offers for work

 

[Stylebites]

True Smartarse but in some smaller markets a freelance stylist or writer may function as an actual fashion editor or beauty editor, etc. Feel it out.

From WWD.com today:

MASTHEAD MOVES: Elle's fashion department has seen significant shuffling of late, including hires from rivals Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. From Vogue, associate fashion editor Silvia Sitar joins Elle as market editor. Bazaar's senior market editor, Kate Lanphear, will take on a similar title at Elle. After a stint at Niche Media, Lauren Benward has returned to Elle to be an accessories editor. And several editors already at Elle also have been on the move: Joann Pailey has been named senior market editor, while Lilah Schechner is heading to Los Angeles to be West Coast fashion editor.

 

[Lena]

but let's just say the conditions (contract) were that you're only a freelancer for the company not on their regular payroll therefore, you cannot or should not asked for recognition which includes, no masthead included. cases like that do occur.

in that case ask them to add you on as a contributor , just for the issue you are participating in the magazine
it wont hurt to get all the credits you can