Announcing Editorial Changes at the Cryder Point Courier There’s bad news and good news to announce… the bad news is that our wonderful editor, Stephen Vrattos, is moving on and up at the Queens Courier and will be leading the charge to develop and grow the paper’s new website, qns.com. You’ve seen Stephen’s name mentioned often, as he has been a frequent visitor here taking all of those great photos of the seawall reconstruction and pool opening for the paper. In addition to the Cryder Point Courier, he has also been covering the LeHavre Courier, the LeFrak Courier and the Queens’ Chamber of Commerce’s monthly publication, “This Is Queensborough.” Since there are only so many hours in the day, the paper decided they needed somebody else to take over those papers. So now the good news: the Courier has asked me to take over for Stephen. Before diving into my new role, I cornered Stephen to have a chat with him about the job: Jill Davis: Hi Steve, thanks for taking a few minutes to talk. I think I’ve told you I’m very flattered that the paper offered me this position, but I have to say I don’t think of myself as an obvious choice. My experience is in research, not newspapers. Am I being too modest, or were you just desperate? Stephen Vrattos: Define “modest.” Just kidding! It was only that we were so desperate! Ha-ha! Seriously, you’ve been working with me on the Cryder Point Courier since it began, and not simply in an advisory capacity. You’ve also written some pieces. You’re a very good writer and editor. I ought to know since you rip my pieces to shreds every month. JD: I’m glad I see you smiling when you say that. SV: I smile through the pain. Listen, keep in mind that you already know a lot of the folks at LeHavre, which will make the shift over there pretty seamless. Not to mention that your business background will be a big asset to the work at the Chamber and LeFrak. The fact that you’ve worked in research is great because it means you know how to dig for facts and are objective. All of us at the paper, including Vicki Vicki Schneps, owner and publisher of the Queens Courier think you’re a great fit. JD: Well since you put it that way, is it too soon to ask for a raise? SV: We’re not that desperate! (laughs) JD: Okay, I’ll wait a couple of weeks. I am curious, though, about what you think the biggest challenges are in producing multiple publications. SV: Multi-tasking and adapting on the fly. Newspapers are an organic creature that changes from month to month, depending on a variety of factors. One month, it might be easy scheduling and conducting interviews; the next, no one’s available and you’re scrambling to come up with an alternative solution. Because the almighty deadline cannot be denied! And, it varies with each publication. Some people are easier to work with than others, for example. But overall, I’d say timing and deadlines are the biggest issues. You know how I hound you for your President’s Message every month. JD: Yes, don’t remind me. I guess now I’ll just have to hound myself. What else can I expect? SV: You’ll be meeting and talking to a lot of different people and going to events. These are really grass-roots kinds of papers, and we the Courier want the communities to feel close to the content. It has to be relevant to each specific complex. JD: I’m glad you mentioned that. I really am hoping that I can bring more of that community interest to the papers. That’s really exciting to me. SV: Yes, I know, and that’s another reason why we picked you. JD: I’m glad you’ll still be at the paper. I’ll still be able to bother you! What exactly are you going to be doing with the new website? SV: Well, I still have one paper, North Shore Towers Courier, which I will continue to edit and write, and I’ll be responsible for all the marketing, promotions and sponsored content for the new website. JD: That sounds really exciting. I know you’ll do great. Oops, looks like I took more of your time than I meant to. If I have any more questions, I know where to find you! SV: No problem Jill. See you at the office! C R Y D E R P O I N T 10NOVEMBER 10 cryder point courier | november 2015 | WWW.QNS.COM
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