What does a school teacher have in common with a magazine editor? Aside from good grammar (hopefully), they are both grossly underpaid. And while editors have a few more perks that come with their jobs (i.e. free dinners, clothes and beauty products), I'm sure all of them would love to receive more compensation for their long hours. Perhaps this is why more editors are turning to additional sources for added income.
Case in point is the new television ad for Olay, featuring Tia Williams, a noted beauty editor. In the ad, the former editor of Teen People and ELLE is shown in her office going through a mountain of skincare products. In the end, Williams picks Olay as her product of choice.
This brings up a question. “Is it a conflict of interest for a beauty editor to promote a skincare product in such a way?” I remember when I started in the business; there was a separation of church and state when it came to editorial and advertisement. It simply wasn’t done. Now the lines between the two are blurred, and it seems that a majority of the heavy hitters in the press are also allocating more money to buying ad space in the magazines.
Getting back to Tia, after more research, I learned that she is no longer writing for magazines [full-time], but has turned her focus to novels. Her first book, The Accidental Diva, has caught the attention of women across the country. Oxygen Networks has even optioned the book for a movie and a potential series. William’s follow-up book comes out this spring.
It would seem that in Tia’s case the Olay ad isn’t a conflict, but a clever marketing plan to get her name out to the mainstream. For a small-town girl from Virginia, I’d say she has everything going for her, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next in the former beauty editor’s career.
Posted by Lance Buckley on April 4, 2006 4:51 PM
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