OXFORD, Miss. – Bob Guccione Jr. is teaching this fall at the University of Mississippi as the inaugural editor-in-residence for the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media.
The goal of the Magazine Innovation Center, created by journalism professor and magazine expert Samir Husni, is to generate focused innovation in magazines and other print media. The center channels the creativity and intellect of the industry’s top figures to provide students and industry professionals with blueprints for productive change.
Guccione is the creator of Spin and Gear magazines, and founder of Discover Media LLC. His tenure is to run through the end of the fall semester.
“I was proud and delighted to be asked to come and teach magazines for a semester at this wonderful, tradition-steeped university,” Guccione said. “I’m a great admirer as well as friend of Dr. Samir Husni, and I’m looking forward to working with him and imparting my passion for, and belief in, the magic of magazines to the cream of the next generation who will make them.”
He will also teach magazine publishing and editing classes, which challenge students to create their own ideas for magazines. Throughout the course, students develop editorial and financial business plans for their magazine concepts, and create a pilot issue.
“To have an experienced magazine professional with the reputation of Bob Guccione Jr. teaching in the Meek School is an exceptional opportunity for our students,” said Will Norton, dean of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. “He will make a significant difference.”
Guccione began his career at 18, when he became Britain’s youngest-ever publisher. After returning to America a year later, he launched the poster magazine Rock Superstars, becoming America’s youngest-ever publisher of a national magazine. After launching Spin and Gear, he acquired science magazine Discover from Disney in 2005 and established Discover Media LLC, returning the magazine to profitability with substantial increases in its advertising revenue and newsstand sales.
“It’s thrilling to have someone of Bob’s caliber who is willing to take the time from his schedule and dedicate a semester to work with students and the Magazine Innovation Center,” Husni said. “His insight and knowledge will be extremely beneficial to both students and faculty.”
For more information on the Meek School of Journalism and New Media, go to http://meek.olemiss.edu/.