Please Do Not Annoy, Torment, Pester, Molest, Badger, Harass, Heckle, Tease, or Copyedit the Bigshot New Editor
Nearly a month ago we reported that Charles DuBow, lifestyle editor at Forbes.com, was packing up his "wealth porn" and moving it over to BusinessWeek.com. Now he's there, and he's not happy. Know that Roger Franklin is the site's copy chief, then read:
From: Franklin, Roger
Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 4:27 PM
To: xxx
Cc: xxx
Subject: Remember these words!!!!
Charles DuBow asks that all members of the BWOL team who handle his copy read and heed the message below.
His wishes are to be observed.
roger
——-Original Message——-
From: DuBow, Charles
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 12:55 PM
To: Colchamiro, Jeff; Franklin, Roger
Subject: heds and deks
Jeff & Roger-
I guess I wasn't clear yesterday in my emails to you re heds and deks. When I take the time to write heds and deks I expect them to run, barring factual errors.
They're in trouble.
The heds that the copy desk provided for two of my stories today — "The Roadster of Brit Pride" and "Nissan's Bulked Up Family Truck" — were poor.
I have been writing and running heds and deks on Forbes.com for nearly 10 years and generated hundreds of millions of page views per year. I have great experience in this field and know the value of the right heds and deks. The reason I am here to do replicate the success I had at Forbes.com. By changing the heds and deks, you impede that.
Starting today, please be sure to not alter my heds or deks, except in cases of grammar problems, word count or factual error.
I hope we are clear on this. I am sure that we will be able to work together smoothly going forward.
Many thanks for your cooperation.
C
Charles S. Dubow
Director, New Products
Businessweek.com
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
212-512-4860
Email: xxxx@businessweek.com