"Uh...Jane, where are you?"?

Question

Whatever happened to Jane from Jane Magazine? They have this new girl now, Brandon Holley.

--Doesn't this ruin the whole point of calling it Jane magazine?
--And am I the only one that thinks Jane isn't as good as it used to be?

Answer 1

I heard the title "Jane" was created for the magazine. The Editors found out that reader thought that "Sassy" was too teenie booper sounding, and thought "Jane" sounded more mature.

Answer 2

Jane Pratt resigned/retired if you will from Jane magazine. Her leaving the magazine does not ruin the point of calling it Jane magazine. As, she never intended it to be called Jane, she was outvoted in the board meeting. It was originally to be called Betty.

It really depends upon what characteristics you are basing your assessment of the magazine on, whether it is as good or not. Jane magazine has always approached women's topics with an irreverent attitude, not what I call the "girly pink frills" that you get with other magazines.

Today, more than ever, the issues effecting women are getting more and more complicated. Take their reporting on cervical cancer issues, yes they approach the topic with their traditional irreverent style. However, there are so many outside issues, including the related legislation, etc... that makes reporting in this style so much more difficult.
http://www.janemag.com/

Also, this has been a difficult few years to take a stand against the traditional norms, without being obliviated politically.

Yes, I still think that it is a worthwhile magazine. Just give them a chance to sort through this time.

Answer 3

"On 25 July 2005, Pratt announced that she was resigning from her position as editor in chief of Jane and would be leaving the company on 30 September 2005, exactly nine years after the magazine's debut. Insiders speculated that Pratt wanted a change in her life after she lost the twin daughters she had been carrying in April, and had been expecting in August."

Also, a little backstory on the name:
"Sassy, created by Pratt in 1987, was intended to appeal to adolescent girls, but because of its sexual candor and coverage of topics other teen magazines didn't touch, such as the riot grrrl movement, its popularity exploded beyond its intended audience. When Sassy ended its New York editorial run in 1994, readers were left heartbroken and waiting for something to take its place. In September 1997, Jane Pratt's new magazine, Jane, published by the Disney-owned Fairchild Publications, hit the stands with Drew Barrymore as its maiden covergirl. (Fairchild Publications has since merged with Condé Nast Publications.)"

I haven't read Jane in a while, so I'm afraid I can't speak to your second question :)

Answer 4

Yes I think it has gone downhill. They are becoming more and more like Cosmo (10 ways to please your man? WTF) and have an internal conflict between being "indie" and being corporate (featuring indie music and movies and off the beaten path fashion, yet with people like Ashlee Simpson on the cover and articles on the $1000+ bags you must have). They do a fair amount of coverage on women's issues, but I have found BUST magazine to do a much better job at this.

Answer 5

janes gone?