Sixty Years and Counting of Oilpatch Trendspotting

By Anh Chu
Oilweek, a monthly oil and gas magazine, celebrates its 60th anniversary this June. As “Canada’s oil and gas authority,” its long life is proof of the industry’s continued relevancy and importance to not only Alberta’s, but Canada’s economy at large.

The occasion is being marked with a special collectible edition, now on newsstands. The issue is the magazine’s biggest ever, offering a decade-by-decade retrospective of seminal moments in the industry. With a career in oil and gas spanning 26 years (10 of those at Oilweek), editor Dale Lunan points to the impact of the National Energy Program in 1985 as one story that particularly stands out. He also cites “the latest bull run that began in 2005 and led to record drilling and activity levels” as a major story.

When it comes to future stories, Lunan forecasts that the industry will still experience tremendous growth. The next decade may see more emphasis, and therefore more coverage, on oilsands and “unconventional gas like coalbed methane; shale gas, tight gas, and even gas hydrates.” Internationally, demand from countries like India and China will increase, while the western world will likely move towards conservation efforts to offset rising prices.

Oilweek looks at a complex industry affected by technology, science and the economy, and one that increasingly delves into politics—especially given current concerns about global warming. The environment is an especially hot topic, but Lunan says the industry is greener than most people realize. “Flaring has been almost eliminated, and many oil producing companies are investing heavily in green energy technologies such as wind, hydro, solar, and alternative fuel technologies like ethanol and biofuel,” he explains. Research into technologies like carbon capture and storage is underway, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions is a concern in the industry.

“The industry is becoming increasingly besieged by forces who would like nothing better than to see an immediate end to the hydrocarbon age, without offering any real alternative to oil and gas to power the global economy,” explains Lunan.

Bottom line? Oil impacts everyone to some extent, hence Oilweek’s continued efforts to interpret “how emerging trends might impact the industry tomorrow.” To learn more, subscribe to Oilweek, or pick up a copy on newsstands now.

Q&A with AMPA's Volunteer of the Year

Lynn Fraser, managing editor of FreeFall magazine was chosen as AMPA’s Volunteer of the Year and honoured at a Magazines Canada celebration in Toronto in June. Dedicated to all aspects of the volunteer-run literary magazine, Fraser takes on the magazine’s business management (developing financial stability), distribution, and sales. AMPA chats with Fraser about the honour and why in the world she continued working from her hospital bed.

AMPA: How does it feel to be honoured for your work all these years?

Lynn Fraser: It is like someone just added a wonderfully fluffy tasty icing on top of my cake. Seeing each issue come to fruition is very rewarding but to be honoured by a group of one’s peers for doing something I enjoy doing gave me an extra special feeling.

AMPA: What did you like most about the MagNet conference in Toronto and the awards ceremony?

LF: What I liked most about the conference was meeting other magazine people and exchanging ideas and information. [I enjoyed] having a face to put with a name, learning what others are working on and developing relationships with people who share a common interest--Canadian Magazines. I brought back a lot of information and ideas, which I am still documenting in my idea file for future use.
The best part of the ceremony was the congratulations from individual people that came up after the awards were handed out—and the munchies of course.

AMPA: Why are volunteers important to mags?

LF: For smaller magazines, volunteers are not only important, they are critical. It would be impossible for (editor) Micheline and I to get everything done in a timely fashion without the help of all the other people on our team.
I can share with you what’s in it for me—a huge amount of learning and gained experience that I couldn’t have gotten any other way. The learning is not just about what it takes to run a successful magazine, but also I have grown as a writer.
I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the magazine industry to volunteer at a small magazine. They will find that what they learn will be an investment in themselves as well as needed help for the title.

AMPA: You suffered a stroke. For most people, the last thing they’d want to do is work. Why did you continue to work from your hospital bed?

LF: We had a magazine to get out, and as the managing editor I am the only person that knows who sent in what entry for the contest, and the only person who does not read and rate any of the entries. Time was of the essence, and keeping my brain active was important. Besides that hospitals are boring places. The first thing I did when I regained control of my arm was ask for a pen and a piece of paper. I wanted to know that I could still physically write, and I wrote a silly poem for my grandsons. It’s just the way I am I guess.

Just a truly stellar volunteer is all! Congrats Lynn. A well-deserved win.

The Magazine Eco Kit

Magazine publishers across the country now have a "compendium of tips, terms, resources and papers for environmentally friendly magazine publishing" to refer to. A project by Magazines Canada, Markets Initiative, and regional associations including AMPA, the Eco Kit should provide clarification as to what's what; what's available; and what must be done.

Check out the Eco Kit here.

Job Opportunities

Check out our Job Board for details on these magazine jobs:

• Managing Editor - Canine Review – Canine Review, a national competitive dog magazine, requires an organized self-starter to manage day-to-day operations and monthly production of the magazine; to support continued development of online content; and to assist the Publisher in delivering targeted marketing campaigns. Read full posting...

.

• RAMM Coordinator - AMPA – The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA) seeks a Calgary-based coordinator for the ever-intriguing Read Alberta Magazines Month (RAMM), which takes place primarily in Calgary and Edmonton during October. Must be organized, self-motivated individual to manage our month-long series of events and promotional activities to showcase Alberta magazines. Read full posting...

• Advertising Sales Rep - Western Horse Review and Alberta Country - Western Horse Review and Alberta Country are looking for a results driven, independent worker. A sales background along with familiarity to the western riding industry is a must. Commission and bonuses commensurate with experience. Read full posting...

• Editor - Medical Concierge Magazine - Medical Concierge magazine seeks an experienced editor to lead Canada’s new alternative healthcare publication. The magazine is a source of lifestyle news, travel ideas and health and wellness inspiration for Canadian readers curious about the health options available to them. Read full posting...

• Managing Editor - up! Magazine - up! magazine—WestJet Airlines’ monthly in-flight publication—is seeking a driven managing editor who is ready to help take a growing travel magazine and website to the next level. This position requires at least two years of editorial magazine experience (with a national newsstand publication; better still with a travel magazine) and a skill set that includes magazine production management, deft editing, organizational proficiency, and overall taskmastery. Read full posting...

• Editor - Alberta Country Magazine - Alberta Country is a bi-monthly consumer, controlled circulation newspaper-size magazine for busy, affluent country dwellers who need inspiring, authentic and smart information on realizing their dream life. Alberta Country’s coverage is modern, gives easy to digest solutions to country living, crisp content on lifestyle and issues, and also has witty commentary on entertainment, trends, real estate, people and destinations. Read full posting...

• Contract Advertising Sales Representative - Dakota Design and Advertising - Dakota Design and Advertising is looking for an advertising sales rep to sell for Alberta Country. Alberta Country is an acreage lifestyle publication. Tremendous potential for someone who is results driven and an independent worker.

Sales background in media, preferably in magazines and a familiarity of the business community in Calgary and surrounding area an asset. Read full posting...