BNT 3.0 – New Direction, New Editors, Old Skool Style

03/18/09  Print This Post Print This Post    5 Comments   Popular   Written by Ian MacKenzie
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Ian MacKenzie…posing old skool.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from life, it’s never say never.

Also, it’s not a good idea to wash an electric dish pan while it’s still plugged in. But that’s a different story.

More importantly, I stepped away as Editor of BNT back in December 2008. The talented Julie Schwietert took the reins, among her other duties managing the rest of the Matador Network blogs.

Over the past few months, we’ve continued to publish excellent writers on a wide range of topics.

Though we realized something was missing: the personality of having an editor with a face, someone that checks in with the readers now and then to gauge their interests, their reactions, and to thank them for spending their time our sites.

For this reason, I’ve decided to return as Editor-in-Chief of BNT. And I’m bringing Christine Garvin with me, the sassy, yoga-touting, health concious blogger from California.

We’ll be publishing shorter posts, more frequently, along with our regular in-depth pieces.

This new editorial format is complimented by our new layout and site design. Feel free to explore and leave your feedback here.

As always, if you have an article you’d like to contribute, head over to our contributors page.

And if you haven’t yet, make sure to check out our subscription options and have Matador delivered to you!


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About the Author

Matador ID: ianmack

Ian MacKenzie is the founder and editor of Brave New Traveler. He is currently editing the One Week Job documentary. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.

5 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Carl replied on March 18, 2009

    Glad to see you are back Ian, to be honest I quit paying much attention to BNT once it became part of the Matador network. Not sure why. I like parts of the new design, although I think the masthead needs to be above the featured articles and advertisement rather than below them. It feels disconnected.

    My eye is distracted by them and it’s the first thing I focus on… which is good for promoting content across the Matador network, but bad for what should be the focus of the site: promoting BNT content first and foremost, and Matador content second.

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  • Stephen Chapman replied on March 19, 2009

    Great to see that you’re back Ian. I think BNT has missed you…I found myself reading far more before you handed over your mantle, and tend to agree with Carl’s comments. Made me realise just how important and influential the role of editor is. I think the topics/message/vibe of BNT is quite unique and so important that’s its heard and communicated…I look forward to you bringing it back – I know it hasn’t been away but somehow feels like it has.

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  • David replied on March 19, 2009

    I am glad to see you and to know the new layout of BNT. I read you from Spain and I think you do an excelent work and that BNT represents a different kind to speak about trips and travel.

    Best wishes!!

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  • Ian MacKenzie replied on March 19, 2009

    @Carl – Thanks for the honesty! And for your comments on the layout. I’m flattered about wanting to promote only BNT’s stuff, but truthfully, all the Matador writers contribute to all the blogs. So really, there isn’t much difference between us anymore. @Stephen @David – Thanks for your comments as well!

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  • DHarbecke replied on April 2, 2009

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s how to say “pate de foie gras.” But I never say it, so I guess that counts, too.

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