Kinsley offers Portfolio some advice

John Koblin of The New York Observer writes that Michael Kinsley, former editor of Slate and Harper’s, visited business magazine Conde Nast Portfolio recently to offer editor Joanne Lipman some advice.

Koblin wrote, “Mr. Kinsley said Ms. Lipman had originally reached out to him and he’d said he’d write a memo.

“‘I was talking to Joanne Lipman—who I’d never met—and she talked to me about writing a piece and I said I’ll write you a memo about what I think of the first few issues and what problems you have; I could just be another voice. I’m sure more criticism is just what’s she’s in the mood for.’

“There was stuff for them to talk about anyway since Mr. Kinsley is writing a piece for them as a freelance; and while he was there he visited The New Yorker and Conde Nast Traveler where he also has outstanding pieces (but neither of which visits elicited quite the frisson of excitement in the building).

“Mr. Kinsley wouldn’t discuss his specific prescription for the magazine, but he said Ms. Lipman was a good audience.”

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