Like all magazines in today's marketplace, two of the oldest institutions, Ebony and Jet, were struggling. With the largest warehouse of black photos and black content and one of the few completely black-owned publications, they were about to be sold this past June and black ownership in publishing would have been almost completely lost.
But Linda Johnson Rice, daughter of Johnson Publishing founder John H. Johnson has invigorated new life into the publications, hiring former editor of Harper's Bazaar, Amy DuBois Barnett, as a new editor-in-chief and today announcing the former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, embroiled in scandal less than a year ago, would be the new CEO.
Rogers stepped down from her Obama Administration job following the 2009 White House state dinner gatecrasher incident involving the Salahis. Michaele and Tareq Salahi became famous when they reportedly crashed a state dinner honoring India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in November 2009. Rogers was blamed for the breach of security and resigned from her post. The Salahis have since enjoyed more than what should have been 15 minutes of fame by joining the cast of Housewives of D.C., while the talented Rogers disappeared from the public eye.
"Desirée has a proven track record of successful business leadership," Rice said in a statement. "She is a longstanding confidant and a savvy businesswoman who is committed to the strategic
growth of Johnson Publishing Company. I look forward to working side by side with her as we embark upon this next phase for the company."
growth of Johnson Publishing Company. I look forward to working side by side with her as we embark upon this next phase for the company."
Rogers will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company and be "aligning core business strategies for all brands," according to a statement from Johnson Publishing.
"I am humbled to have such an incredible opportunity," Rogers said in a statement. "I consider it an honor to help continue the 68-year legacy of such a phenomenal company and its iconic brands."Rogers is an Obama family friend and could possibly bring the brand a new level of exposure that could bring it back from the doldrums. Ebony and Jet have been criticized over the years for remaining in the era where they were once welcomed--showcasing the success of blacks--mostly middle class, wealthy, and celebrities--and missing hard-hitting issues and critical analysis of politics and issues affecting the community.
We'll see if having Rogers at the helm will bring a higher level of hard-hitting journalism to the publication--a void in black publishing in desperate times in the black community.