Last night I went to the National Magazine Awards, aka the Ellies. It was so very different than the past three I’ve attended (see here, here and here - scroll down for a very dated pic of Joanne Lipman looking happy). Despite being a happy and triumphant night for many - Wired, Backpacker, Bicycling - it was also sorta sad. There was a real feeling of the end of an era.
In going back to my previous Ellie coverage - remembering how the winners for Bulletin of Atomic Scientists were up in the nosebleed seats, for example - I was struck by how different previous National Magazine Awards were. It wasn’t only the chocolate fountains and lavish pre-and-post parties, it was the total lack of appreciation that the world was changing around the magazine world, in such a way as to inevitably change that world. In 2006, there was this quote: “Time keeps reinvigorating its role as a newsweekly and demonstrates its relevance and importance in a changing media world.” That was from Mark Whitaker, then still editor of Newsweek, when the deathmatch between Time and Newsweek wasn’t actually about which one could actually die. It was a nice ceremony with great moments, and great work was recognized and rewarded, but overall, it felt just very bittersweet. I think this may be the last fancy evening Ellies.
The photo above captured the mood for me, even though Steve Fishman, pictured, probably didn’t mean it that way; he told me after he was watching Si Newhouse on the orchestra floor, being greeted by well-wishers. Si got a lot of love up on that stage, from David Remnick and Chris Anderson. But it had to have felt like this picture looks.
Here’s the link to my photos on Flickr, and below is my coverage from Twitter. Try not to let the symbolism overwhelm you.
At National Magazine Awards (aka the Ellies) - so so much emptier than last year. Orchestra is full; smattering otherwise. #ellies
Shocker - Adam Moss wins for nymag.com; says as a print guy, he’s excited about the electronic possibilities online. Also, @jimmyfallon!
It feels weird that everyone is acting like things are normal; this is my fourth Ellies, and it feels so different. No one has acknowledged.
Upset! Automobile mag wins for commentary. Jamie Kitman gave a great speech about journalistic ethics being beholden to nothing. #ellies
Print mag won for General Excellence; EIC Emily Gordon (aka Emdashes!) gave a beautiful speech - an encomium to her industry. Brava. #Ellies
AARP won for Interactive Feature - irony; they’ve waited 50 yrs for an Ellie. One more irony. #ellies
Am behind b/c I’m filming - got whole Annie Liebowitz tribute - Jann, Tina, Anna, Graydon. Anna had her speech written out - sorta sweet.
Public Interest: Bicycling. “Bicycling?” exclaimed EIC Loren Mooney. “Bicycling?” exclaimed an email I just got. Yep. Bicycling! #ellies
Evan Smith had hilarious speech abt Texas’ rich offerings for a mag; Wired won for best mag section; Remnick toasted Si Newhouse.
Jon Dorn wins his third Ellie. Guy has staying power. Remnick has 3 too; Esquire 2.
Wired wins again. Bald men are doing well tonight. #Ellies
Dexter Filkins wins for Reporting, for Afghanistan (NYTmag); NYer was nom’d for Ryan Lizza story on Obama in Chicago (aka the plane-booter).
I’m gonna say it: It’s not the same without Jesse Oxfeld. Or his Ellie pool or stuffed elephant. Jeff Berc too.
Rooting for Mark Leibovich on Chris Matthews. A delightful, warm, revealing piece. Oh, Rolling Stone won for Lipsky on DFW. Also worthy.
Big winner: Peggy Northrop of Reader’s Digest for General Excellence over 2 million circ. #Ellies
Just realized: Shutout for both Time and Newsweek. #ellies
