PUBLISHING BITE

John Ryan, President and CEO, The New York Dog and Gatsby Publishing

Publisher John Ryan talks to Carmel Doyle about his vision with the new york dog.

In the hungry world of magazine publishing, it can be hard to maintain a steady groove. In New York, John Ryan has achieved just that. As CEO of Gatsby Publishing, Ryan is gaining widespread acclaim as the Irish guy who can spin instinctual ideas into successful publishing ventures. His latest publication, The New York Dog, has just passed its first anniversary and is being lapped up so much so that The Hollywood Dog emerged on the scene last summer, Seeking inspiration, Ryan says he went to New York after his newspaper venture, Stars on Sunday went bust in 2002. One morning, when chatting to a woman whose dog had just died, the idea for The New York Dog formed in Ryan’s mind. Recalling how the woman said something like "wouldn’t it be great if newspapers carried dog obituaries," Ryan instantly visualised the magazine for trendy New Yorkers who tend to treat their dogs like humans. Together with his old publishing partner, Michael O’Doherty, Ryan went about researching other pet titles in the US and found a niche for a new type of pet magazine. Claims Ryan, "our titles are a combination of a women’s magazine and a parenting magazine. And, yes, we carry dog obituaries."

Saturated with celebrities and their darling dogs, the magazines have featured the likes of Nicolette Sheridan and Victoria Gotti on past covers. So what is New York’s environment like for new ventures in comparison to Ireland where a begrudging attitude can sometimes prevail? "New York is an extremely tough place to do business. You have to fight for every dollar and negotiate for everything. But I have never been in such an encouraging and supportive environment." In the teething days of The New York Dog, Ryan outlines how the, "first issue was written in New York, designed in Dublin, printed in Illinois and launched at the Ritz!"

IRISH CIRCLE

We all know Ryan as one of the founders behind TV Now, a reaction to the monopoly held by The RTE Guide, and Irish celebrity title, VIP. Together with O’Doherty, Ryan carved up VIP in 1999 to become a strong voice on the Irish celebrity circuit. However, in 2001, at the height of VIP ’s success, Ryan sold his share to O’Doherty. "I got out of the VIP game for a number of reasons. I thought a recession was on its way and there would be a big advertising slump. Much to my dismay things just got better and better in Ireland." At that point, Ryan felt he wanted to produce more ‘rewarding tiles’ such as GI, Ireland’s first gay magazine. With some of his own ventures having gone ‘pear shaped’ as he would say, Ryan must have a good attitude on picking up the pieces? Having poured a lot of money into both GI and Stars on Sunday, Ryan says, "both failed and what I learned is that a business venture needs heart and brain." A former journalist for ten years, who had worked in places such as Rwanda and Bosnia, Ryan says a life altering moment gripped him one day when he was chatting to Bill Whelan of Riverdance fame. At the time, Ryan was editing the Culture section of The Sunday Times. When Whelan asked him what his goals were, Ryan responded that he wanted to publish his own magazine. "For some reason when I left his house I knew what I had to do. I’ve barely met the guy since but it’s funny how those kinds of encounters can change things."

VISUAL ETHIC

It seems that Ryan has a great instinctual drive but does he see himself as an entrepreneur? "The only ability I have is a very strong sense of visualisation. I am able to see things fully realised once an idea hits me." What then are the most vital skills to grow and sustain a successful business? "If you can inspire a team you will be successful. I have always tried to empower the people around me, to give people with little experience a chance they wouldn’t get with a bigger company."

For those thinking of venturing into magazine publishing, Ryan asserts that, while his story has been ‘fairly unconventional,’ in relation to the Irish magazine business they, "attract 6% of the annual advertising spend in Ireland, compared to something like 18% in Britain for UK magazines. Why? That is your mission should you choose to accept it."

FROM HERE

With Gatsby, Ryan says they are currently developing a swish interiors magazine called Apt, targeted at Manhattan’s apartment dwellers with all revenue going to the homeless. A magazine called Geek is also on the agenda as an ‘antidote’ to the average lads magazine. For a person with an uncanny ability to pinpoint new publishing possibilities and attract huge media attention in the process, next on cue for Ryan will be The Chicago Dog. Confirms Ryan, "The Chicago Dog is planned for the second quarter of 2006 and then The Miami Dog. And then…cats!"