NEW YORK, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon announced today the names of 12 parents who will become the first-ever guest editors of an issue of Nick Jr. Family Magazine. The lucky dozen will be flown to New York City to take part in creating the magazine's August issue, which will spotlight the thoughts, opinions, and insights of moms and dads living the life of the modern family.
"This is a new and innovative idea for Nick Jr. Family Magazine. Our goal is to include the most relevant content for parents in the magazine, and what better way to do that than to have parents serve as editorial staff and give a 'from-the-trenches' view of issues that are meaningful and that matter to them," said Freddi Greenberg, Editor in Chief of Nick Jr. Family Magazine. "As the popularity of blogs, message boards, and communities -- both real and virtual -- increases, we think this parent-to-parent connection will make the August issue a must-read."
The selection process began with an e-mail sent by Nickelodeon staff, announcing this unique opportunity. Interested parents were then asked to answer questions pertinent to today's parenting challenges: the collision between career and personal goals, personal, and parenting responsibilities; competitive parents; parent's roles in our educational system; and kids growing up too soon.
Participants were then chosen based on expressiveness, involvement with their kids (ages 2-11) and community, and their passion for parenting. The parents are a diverse group, ranging in age from 24 to 44 and running the gamut from physicians, to writers, to stay-at home moms and dads. They hail from various cities nationwide, both big and small.
The 12 parent guest editors chosen to be featured in the of Nick Jr. Family Magazine August issue are (alphabetically listed by first name)*:
-- Chris Reeves (Linn Creek, MO)
-- Eliza Chin (Piedmont, CA)
-- Jennifer Christianson (Wayzata, MN)
-- Karyn Silsby de Pla (Ridgefield Park, NJ)
-- Keia Benefield (Acworth, GA)
-- Kellee Rosales (Gresham, OR)
-- Kristen K. Gregg (Grove City, PA)
-- Kristine Schroeder (Valrico, FL)
-- Lynn Jones (Denver, CO)
-- Rebecca Alfano (Cary, NC)
-- Todd Pinsky (Santa Cruz, CA)
-- Sara Perez Webber (Danbury, CT)
While in New York parents will partner with Nick Jr. Family Magazine editors to brainstorm ideas, critique covers, and provide questions and answers to several columnists. The parents will also participate in a roundtable discussion hosted by a special guest, which will cover topics such as: "The New Parenting No-No's"; "Parent-to-Parent Peer Pressure"; "Preschool Mania"; and "Parent Guilt."
Nick Jr. Family Magazine will also provide guest editors with access to experts, who can give necessary advice on topics relevant to all parents. Harold Koplewicz, M.D., director of NYU Child Study Center, will speak to guest editors regarding childhood development and discipline, while time management guru and author of Creative Time Management for the New Millennium, Jan Yager, Ph.D, will help guest editors answer the age old question: "How do I find more time for myself?"
Additionally, three parent participants will be the subjects of a fashion, hair and makeup, and time management makeover; all which will be documented in the August issue. The guest editors will wrap up their stay with a Broadway show and dinner.
About Nick Jr. Family Magazine
Nick Jr. Family Magazine, now in its seventh year, is the fastest growing magazine in the Parenting category. Published nine times a year, it is distributed to preschools across the country and is also available at bookstores and newsstands and via subscription. Nick Jr. Family Magazine builds on the strength of the Nick Jr. brand to provide today's busy parents of kids age 0-11 with the latest information on child development, news, and family products as well as the simplest creative activities and ideas for spending time as a family. Nick Jr. Family Magazine has won numerous awards from the Association of Educational Publishers, including Periodical of the Year and the Golden Lamp Award. The magazine has also been honored by Parents' Choice and Parent's Guide to Children's Media and has been featured on ADWEEK's Top Ten Hot List in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Nick Jr. Family Magazine has a circulation of 1.5 million and a total audience of 5.4 million.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, in its 26th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 89 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. .
*For more details on the parent guest editors for Nick Jr. Family Magazine's August 2006 issue, please contact Nickelodeon's press department.
