Desiree Rogers Named Chief Exec. of Ebony, Jet
You can't keep a Zulu Queen down. Former White House Social Secy. Desiree Rogers, who I love, is back and is now taking the reigns over at Ebony/Jet's Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago.
From Yahoo:
Former White House social secretary Desirée Rogers has been named chief executive of Johnson Publishing Company, billed as "the world's largest African-American owned-and-operated publishing company." JPC publishes both Ebony and Jet magazines.
"Desirée has a proven track record of successful business leadership," company chairman Linda Johnson Rice said in a statement. "She is a longstanding confidante 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."
Rogers, a former corporate executive and a Chicago friend of the Obama family, resigned in February from her position as the first African-American social secretary.
First off, if you click on that Yahoo link to read more, don't read the comments. Never read the comments on Yahoo. Shudder.
Secondly, I really hope Desiree works some magic over there because Johnson (like all black media outlets and publications) is struggling. Revenues are down. Circulation is down. You have folks, like my parents, who just recently started getting Ebony again only to decide they still don't want it. (They still get their Jet, though. They ALWAYS get their Jet.) Then you have folks like me, who haven't picked up and purchased an Ebony or Jet since never, never go to their Web site and talk about the magazine like it's my old great uncle who used to be some big wig back in his day, but is now just hanging out at the Barbershop, talking about the ten hottest celebrity couples, pretending to be hip by putting someone their granddaughter might have heard of on the cover.
Do what you gotta do to turn this ship around, Desiree. Do what you gotta do.
black media, desiree rogers, ebony, jet magazine, media 
Reader Comments (12)
Did ya hear that Essence!?!
Hopefully, Desiree can breathe new life into Ebony - I haven't seen anything in the last two years that would make me subscribe again. I'm from the old school days when Ebony was a Giant magazine(remember the Diana Ross issue - I still have that one) with great articles and photography.
Make it a class act again please!
Ebony and Jet both bring back memories of my childhood in Queens.
I think Desiree will do an amazing job. I'm rooting for her, and will pick up my first issues since the new millenium began in support of the decision to bring her on board.
If Desiree Rogers is as savvy with as much taste as you claim she has, your name will be on the editorial masthead very soon.
What? How could you have missed the Coolest Black Man Covers that Ebony published. in fact you can purchase the posters. I am a school librarian and EBONY is a must! You have to resubscribe its awesome, almost replaces Essence! Mad scramble, it has reformatted and is much more interesting and reader friendly with great columnists. I highly recommend.
I am sorry that Desiree could not finish her term as the social secretary but glad to see she is in a great position.
congrats to Ms. Rogers
Man, I really hated to see her leave the White House. She always looked so good and her planned events were FAB U LOUS. I feel certain that she will do an excellent job in her position at Ebony.
Good for Desiree! Getting thrown under the bus turned out to be a blessing in disguise for her. Success is the best revenge.
@ Darius James
Now THAT'S a Diva Twin Power Pack for ya! Great idea!
TEAM Desiree/Danielle
With the new editor-in-chief Amy Barnett and Desiree teamed up, I'm thinking Ebony may have a shot to survive after all, but this is the last shot...
I Bet She's Glad She Left The House Of SATAN...( False Prophet ) Thanks 4 Reporting This BLACK SNOB
I knew she'd land on her feet. Thought she'd end up in fashion though. Hopefully she can work her Zulu magic at Ebony/Jet. My parents have been getting both for as long as I can remember. Whenever I go visit, I get a stack and a cup of coffee and browse through them, because we all know you can't actually READ them.