libvixen and Eric John Nzeribe
Guys, here is the transcript of the interview i had with FUNTIME MAGAZINE owner. I had a blast.
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1) How does it feel to be the owner/the man behind one of the most successful African oriented magazines in the Diaspora?
I feel like a human being. An ordinary individual who is curious and a student of man/woman and their disposition
2) That's good, now the one thing that is interesting about your publication is that it certainly is a spin-off of previous publications done in Africa. Meaning that you developed the concept from the magazine you were running in Africa and actually carried it along with you to the United States/ In your mind, what made you think you would reap the same success you had over there, factoring in all the competitions and not knowing if people will embrace it.
It is said that laughter is the best medicine, since our stock in trade is humor; you cannot have enough. Our Magazine also has real life stories and every person could use one or risk such pleasant or unpleasant experience. Thus, we are recalibrating the delivery of Funtimes Magazine founded in Monrovia, to meet this environment. Competition is no problem because there is room at the top.
3) Okay, when you started, did you think this will be an ongoing thing for years to come?
Yes, the purpose of starting a business is that it will live after you even family owned businesses.
4) When one is growing up, one is sometimes guided towards the family business, is that what happened to you?, how did you get in the magazine business.
No, my degree is Business Management. Publishing is a business opportunity, which I capitalized in the 1990’s in Monrovia and then loved with it.
5) What is the ownership of a magazine process like for you and how does it differ from any other business ventures?
It is like any other entrepreneurial effort just that its stock in trade is different.
6) Who is the target audience for your magazine? And the reason I ask that is because sometimes unfortunately when our young adult get in the western world, they turn to be indifferent about African media as in either print, film or music
African immigrants and the Diaspora are our target audience. Every other person that enjoys humor and real life stories are welcome. Like you said it is unfortunate if an African abandons his/her culture and values
7) For those who have not seen your magazine yet, how would you describe it. What should the reader expect when they purchase a copy
Funtimes Magazine is a bundle of humor and real life stories. A person should expect a spontaneous rib-cracking laughter at the best or feel a sense of dawn or enlightenment at reading our magazine. It is your best bet for relaxation!
8) Are we going to see maybe a change in direction to the movie industry? And if so which form will it take, producer, director, actor?
Not really, I am going to dig in, in publishing. Maybe radio and web TV but that’s it. I am wary of unending toil.
9) What advice or tips would you give to our sisters and brothers who have profound interest in journalism and are thinking of starting a magazine business?
Go for it. Informing people and the chance of influencing them is fulfilling. See how Oprah sold the concept of Obama to the world. It gives satisfaction. Funtimes Magazine will be happy to lend a hand.
10) Do you think you deserve a lifetime achievement award?
The world is full of people that think they deserve this or that. No, I do not deserve a lifetime achievement award! If you determine that I have made contributions that are worthy of any recognition, so be it.
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