Corporate Culture: F&W Publications

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, March, 2002 by Sarah Gonser

PORTFOLIO: 12 magazines, including flagship title Writer's Digest, a book-publishing and events division, and several book clubs.

LOCATION: Four miles north of downtown Cincinnati, but moving several miles farther north at the end of April.

WORD ON THE COMPANY: Generally described as a challenging, fast-paced company. All its publications focus on creative endeavors, so creativity is respected here.

ATMOSPHERE: Casual--meaning jeans and sweatshirts are okay. Since being acquired by Citicorp Venture Capital three years ago, F&W has lost some of its family feel in favor of a more "buttoned-up" atmosphere. "We're part of corporate America," says one employee. "And it's just not the same as being family-owned." Still, "I could name every one of the 300 people I see in the hallway," says another employee.

BENEFITS: Basic medical, vision and dental insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, life insurance, long-term disability and two retirement plans.

PERKS: There's an exercise room in the basement and a yoga instructor teaches a weekly class during lunch (employees pay out-of-pocket).

CHURN: There were multiple layoffs following the acquisition as Citicorp eliminated overlap and began outsourcing certain functions, and staffers aren't sure the cuts are over yet. On the whole, "We have some long-term employees, but normally it's a youthful crowd that stays for a couple years and then leaves," says one staffer. There's a strong internship program in most departments, and many return after completing school for full-time jobs.

CHALLENGES: Because of the current economy and the ongoing restructuring by Citicorp, a number of employees say they are concerned about, "knowing if we'll still have a job." Also, the new emphasis on "making numbers" and "building the company into the future," has become a sizable challenge.