Making anniversaries relevant to readers is essential. Who better to turn to for a good example being set in this regard than Oprah Winfrey. She is celebrating the 10th anniversary of O Magazine this May 7-9 in New York City with a “Live Your Best Life Weekend” event.
Event promotions started to show up in the magazine in January. In February, there was a golden ticket promotion in which 10 lucky readers received the gift of attending with a friend. No doubt, there will be great stories and photo opportunities about each of these winners as the celebration unfolds. In the March edition, the build-up continues as readers anticipate when tickets for this extravaganza become available for sale on March 15, 2010.
At this point, no one knows the investment required to participate. For many Oprah fans, it doesn’t matter. They are going to be at that weekend celebration because it is a big deal, they love Oprah, and the anniversary is packed with special guests and programming that are relevant and of interest to loyal readers.
Guess what? I am going to do whatever it takes to be first in line to buy my ticket. I have read every single O magazine for the last ten years. Every issue is stored safely in my office. When we moved to our new home in July of 2008, my husband Steve looked at all those magazines and begged me to recycle them. Nope. No way. Not a chance. I don’t collect many things, but I do save O magazines. Every one of them.
Why? Each magazine is relevant to my life. As I have navigated every step along my own journey, Oprah has been there to help me through it. Whether it was dealing with postpartum depression, figuring out how to deal with the “mommy wars,” finding the right balance between work and family, or struggling to find my authentic voice to be heard, Oprah and her magazine have brought resources, inspiration, and visual splendor to lift me up in perfect timing. I even have a file directory on my hard drive called “Oprah Dream” in which I have saved every email and letter I have sent to the show since 2004. At left is a photo of my golden retriever from six years ago, nestled next to a pillow that reads, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. — Oprah Winfrey.” I even had ‘thank you’ cards printed to share with my clients with this image on the cover that are in use still today.
Meeting Oprah has been on my “wish list” for quite some time. And, while I may not have a lot of items on my own “bucket list,” sitting down for a cup of tea with Oprah one day is definitely one of them.
I know I am not alone in this and that competition for those anniversary tickets is going to be fierce. Whatever it takes, I’ll find a way to be in New York to be part of that anniversary celebration. And, since I am not alone in this, who wants to attend with me? Let me hear from you. We may never have met before. You may live well beyond my own backyard, but I know we already share a lot in common. And, I can’t wait to meet you and spend an inspired weekend together in celebration of what Oprah has contributed to all of us through her magazine and so much more.
My husband tells me that what you think about today manifests in three months time. I believe that. New York will be lovely in the Spring. Let’s meet up there and become fast friends. Can’t wait.
