Tina Brown: Power to Revitalize Dying Magazines

Tina Brown is a popular journalist and author. She earned her master’s degree at St. Anne’s College. She started her career in journalism in 1973 when she started writing for The Sunday Telegraph, The New Statesman, and the London Sunday Time. That year, Brown was the recipient of the Catherine Pakenham Award for the Most Promising Female Journalist of the Year.

Brown became a reputable editor when, in 1979, she became an editor-in-chief at 25 years old. At that time, the 270-year old Tatler magazine was almost defunct. Brown revitalized this “society” magazine. The circulation of Tatler increased by 300% during her time, until she exited in 1983. Condé Nast acquired the magazine in 1982.

In 1983, Brown was invited by Condé Nast chairman S.I. Newhouse to transfer to the US to be the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair. During her time with Vanity Fair (1984 to 1992), the magazine circulation increased from 350,000 to over 1 million. For four times, the magazine was voted in the National Magazine awards plus the General Excellence award which the magazine received in 1989. Advertising Age also awarded Brown with the Magazine Editor of the Year in 1989.

Another offer came from Newhouse in 1992 to take on another big challenge – to revitalize the dying The New Yorker magazine. She accepted the challenge and became the magazine’s fourth editor and the first editor in 73 years. During her time, The New Yorker’s circulation increased by 145% in the newsstands.

Among the award giving bodies that granted The New Yorker with awards are the George Polk awards (four times), Overseas Press Club awards (five times), 10 National Magazine awards (once). In 1992, Brown also received the National Press Foundation’s Editor of the Year.

After her stint in The New Yorker, Brown partnered with Harvey and Bob Weinstein to form the Talk Media in 1998. The newfound partnership launched the Talk magazine. They also launched the Talk Miramax Books.

Queen Elizabeth awarded Brown with the Commander of the British Empire in November 2000 to recognize her contributions to overseas journalism.