WE ALL HAVE OUR VIEWPOINTS. THE MEMO TAKES YOU BEYOND.
WHAT?
The Memo is a mono thematic quarterly magazine divided into 5 sections that each analyse a theme from a different contextual and geographical angle.
It is an editorial journey around the world that takes us beyond our media comfort zone and challenges our established viewpoints on contemporary issues.
The Memo is published in english.
WHY?
For as many people as there are in the world, there are just as many opinions: we want to reflect that diversity in the way we treat information.
Technology helps us to keep track of the mass of information out there and ensures immediate access. But when it comes to really understanding issues, by going deeper and revealing the hidden connections, we need more than technology.
The Memo lets us discover sources and views that we usually do not get to access, so we get to broaden our perspective and make up our own opinions.
HOW?
Every 3 months, our regional editors handpick contextual insights and alternative viewpoints on a given subject from all kind of sources around the world. Local and international. Online and offline. Known and unknown. So you get a broader and more transparent picture.
The selected content is translated into English and edited to fit into 5 sections that each analyze the theme through a specific angle. So what you get in your hands is a printed volume of curated texts and visuals displaying a theme from a wide variety of perspectives.
WHO?
The Memo’s core team in Berlin is:
Sophie Jung – Executive Editor
Sophie holds a master degree in history of art and economics from the Technical University Berlin and has a long experience in academic and journalistic writing. She now works as a freelance author for Financial Times Deutschland, art and taz focusing on cultural topics. Sophie is co-founder of ‚Berlin Art Prize’ and editor of an upcoming book on the theories of modernist design in cooperation with ueberschwarz ltd.
Timm Häneke – Art Director
Timm is a graphic designer living in Berlin. He works on cultural, commercial and self-initiated projects, most recently Transmediale 2k+12, festival for art and digital culture Berlin. Together with William Davis he Co-founded Szenarios Eu, a bureau concerned with cultural notions in design.
Haw-lin Services – Visual Curation
Haw-lin Services is the creative extension of Haw-lin, established early 2008. It offers art direction, graphic design and research in the field of fashion, architecture, product and interior design. Haw-lin Services develops its projects through iterative collaboration. Haw-lin Services is Nathan Cowen and Jacob Klein.
Alexis Mardon – Founder & Publisher
Alexis has a background and long standing interest in international communications. Since obtaining his master degree from Sorbonne University in Paris, he’s been involved in communications for global brands and institutions such as the Guggenheim Foundation, Absolut Vodka, Hugo Boss etc.
Clément Mardon - Sales & Finance
Clément has an MBA in Finance and experience in operations and product launch. In other words, he will be the man with the numbers. Clément will ensure that your pledges along with all other resources are properly allocated so that we can turn this campaign into a viable long term project.
But that’s not all: The Memo is based on the network of regional editors that we are currently developing on all continents.
JOIN US
We believe that diversity is key. Because The Memo is about diversity of thinking. Diversity of perspectives and cultures. Diversity of opinions and people. And diversity of support.
We have started with the editorial work and initial graphic direction. We are also in contact with regional editors from around the world.
Now, we need your support:
- to develop further our network of regional editors,
- to finalize the production processes,
- to develop our international distribution network,
- and most importantly, to provide you with an alternative picture on issues that you care about.
Help us develop an ambitious independent publishing project. Join us during and beyond this kickstarter campaign in making the memo stronger and better: your support, feedback, ideas and criticism is vital to our success. We welcome any input via mail@readthememo.com or via our facebook and twitter pages.
Thank you for your support. Thank you for spreading the word.
CREDITS
The following people helped us get our kickstarter project where it is now:
Creative support: Lena Felixberger @ ON/OFF
Video filming and editing: Alexander Schneider & Mickael Brock @ Astronaut Magazine
Music: Codes In The Clouds, Erased Tapes Records
Narrator: Zoё Claire Miller
Outreach support: Pauline & Jon @ Paul Sanders
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
In terms of editorial, the main challenge for The Memo will be the network of regional editors. As the editorial team is split around the world, the leading and co-ordination of the team will be critical to match quality and timing objectives.
In terms of publishing, the challenge will be to pass the year mark and secure enough readers to develop the project into a long term viable publication.
Obviously, we do not have decades and decades of experience in publishing and we are learning everyday. This means we might not do everything perfectly from the onset, but it also means that this project will benefit from a total dedication and a fresh outlook.
FAQ
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Yes, worldwide shipping is included in all our rewards.
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The Memo will at first be published in English but we hope to develop other language versions in the future.
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Follow us on facebook and twitter. And of course, you can also get our updates here on Kickstarter.
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Please! The Memo lives from the diversity of its contributors and we are always looking to expand our network of regional editors. If you’d like to participate mail@readthememo.com
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With your support, we are hoping to launch in spring 2013.
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Pledges will help us to develop futher our network of regional editors, finalize the production processes, develop our international distribution and most importantly, provide you with an alternative picture on issues that you care about.
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The Memo will be published as a high quality print publication.
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Yes, but not at first. We want to take some time to think about the best way to publish digitally in a way that complements rather than copies the print edition.
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The selection of each theme will be done by an editorial board consisting of 10 contributors from all fields led by the executive editor. The content of The Memo will be selected by regional editors located on all continents.
For now, the extended team consists of men and women from 10 different countries. We hope to expand that exponentially.
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The Memo has no limitations in terms of themes; it could be anything: from “control” to “cars”, “postmodernism”, “cultural blending”, “urban planning” and “bananas”. What makes The Memo special is the way each theme is treated: analyzed through 5 specific angles that reveal different viewpoints and hidden connections.
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We’ll keep that one as a surprise!
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Aside from the core team, The Memo has a wide range of contributors. An editorial board of 10 contributors participates in the elaboration of each Memo’s theme. Regional editors from all continents provide the content that gives you the other side of the story. Occasionally, writers are commissioned to participate in The Memo.
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Content featured in The Memo can range from a wide array of media platforms, know and unknown, local and international, online and offline. It is selected by the editorial team from around the world in order to ensure a true diversity of views.
The editorial line is not so much about publishing established names but rather about providing a wide set of views which give you the bigger picture.
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The Memo’s business model does not rely on advertising. Its editorial selection process is fully independent and free from any outside pressure or constraint.
Nonetheless as long as advertising is entertaining, well executed and not intrusive, The Memo will accept limited advertising in its pages to support its development process.
42
Backers
$3,845
pledged of $40,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on November 28.
Funding period
Oct 28, 2012 -
Nov 28, 2012
- First created · 2 backed
- Alexis Mardon 410 friends
- Website: readthememo.com
Pledge $25 or more
21 backers Limited (1979 of 2000 left)
✎ THE ASSISTANT EDITOR ✎ Show your support for an innovative and independent publishing project. You will receive the 1st Memo delivered to your door (international shipping included).
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $50 or more
2 backers Limited (498 of 500 left)
✎ THE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ✎ Have a say. All the above + The 2nd Memo delivered to your door (international shipping included) + have a voice in the editorial selection (you get to pre-select, together with the editorial board, the 5 themes open to voting for the special crowd sourced Memo).
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $100 or more
12 backers Limited (88 of 100 left)
✎ THE EDITOR ✎ Be remembered. All the above + 2 other Memos (=yearly subscription, international shipping included) + your name as friend of The Memo on the 1st Memo + special event invitation for 2 (travel expenses not included!).
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $500 or more
4 backers Limited (46 of 50 left)
✎ THE MANAGING EDITOR ✎ Discuss with us. All the above + another yearly subscription for a friend + 1 artwork from The Memo as framed print + the opportunity to sit with us on an editorial board meeting in Berlin (travel expenses not included!).
Estimated delivery: Dec 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
✎ THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ✎ Know it all. All the above + The Memo Annual Directory containing all The Memo’s sources (art and copy) with references and contacts.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2014Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
✎ THE VICE PRESIDENT ✎ Institutional / corporate collaboration for 1 Memo: 1 page custom developed advertorial story; media costs only - production not included; mail@readthememo.com for details.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
✎ THE PRESIDENT ✎ Exclusive institutional / corporate collaboration for 1 Memo (priority selection): 4 page custom developed advertorial story; media costs only - production not included; mail@readthememo.com for details.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013
