Panel of industry experts to discuss the future of magazines at U of M Oct. 5

Three magazine and media luminaries will discuss opportunities for writers, editors and designers in a volatile publishing world in a presentation at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC), Murphy Hall Auditorium, 206 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

"The Future of the Magazine: Will You Be Part of It?" will feature presentations and a panel discussion with David Schimke, editor of the Utne Reader; media guru Kate Byrne and Deborah Hopp, publisher of Mpls.St. Paul Magazine and vice president for publishing at MSP.

With creative turmoil in the publishing world, iconic magazines have vanished and hundreds of new titles have sprung to life. Apps, social media, e-readers and smartphones are redefining magazines. Schimke, Byrne and Hopp will discuss changes in store for magazine business models and how these changes may affect the skills required of magazine writers, editors and designers.

The event is sponsored by SJMC, the Upper Midwest chapter of the American Society of Journalists & Authors (ASJA) and the ASJA Educational Foundation. Admission will be $10, $5 for ASJA members and free for students with a current ID. A half-hour reception precedes the event.

Bios:

Schimke is editor in chief and general manager of Utne Reader, a media digest about politics, culture and the environment. He is a regular commentator on Conscious Talk radio in Seattle and has spoken about politics and media at the Aspen Institute, Nation Institute, Campus Progress, National Conference for Media Reform and Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. His blog, Fighting Words, can be found at www.utne.com.

Byrne has been a media leader for more than 20 years. A media guru and former vice president of the Technology Group, she ushered the global company into the mobile world by building an award-winning app. Folio magazine named her one of the 40 most influential and top media industry performers for 2011.

Hopp is publisher of Mpls.St. Paul Magazine and vice president for publishing at MSP , which publishes Twin Cities Business Monthly and through its Custom Publishing Group provides publishing and digital services to more than 20 companies, including Delta Air Lines, IBM, General Mills, Teradata Corporation, United Health Group, Cambria and the Minnesota Twins. Previously, Hopp ran Twin Cities Business Monthly, Skyway Publications, Inc. and The Twin Cities Reader.

The panel discussion will be moderated by award-winning journalist and ASJA member John Rosengren.