What do other folks say about me? Below you will find a few testimonials and recommendations posted on my LinkedIn account. Please feel free to add your own testimonials or recommendations about me or my work. You can either publish them in the comments section or you can email them directly to me at samir.husni@gmail.com
Thank you and all the best
Mr. Magazine™
Samir A. Husni
And now for the recommendations, updated as they are posted on LinkedIn:
Mitch Powers, Founding Member and President, Iostudio, Nashville, TN
Samir’s enthusiasm and expertise is exceeded only by his love for magazines. It is rare that one ever find’s their true calling in life, much less makes it their life’s work. Samir is rare and remarkable. His work has been of great benefit to my company and my readers.
Arif Durrani Group News Editor, Haymarket Brand Republic Group, United Kingdom
“Samir provides a vital information and research service for magazine publishers around the world and is a respected commentator on magazines and their place in today’s evolving media climate. The only shame is that, despite his global reach, he is based in North America – we could do with a Samir in every market right now.”
Jimmy Dean
Managing Partner and Publisher, HARBOR STYLE Magazine and Sun Coast Magazine Group, LLC
“I have been a Mr. Magazine fan forever. There is no one else on the planet with the passion for our industry that Samir possesses. One of the world’s greatest mysteries is… how does he KNOW about all these launches? Oh…he knows, alright! His book is a must-read yearly and if you EVER get the chance to hear him lecture, don’t miss it.”
James Hubbard
Publisher and Editor in Chief, Family Doctor magazine
“Samir is tops in his field. He is available and knowledgeable, and charges reasonable fees for his service. If you need help in the magazine world, he’s your man.”
Mike Werner
Executive Vice President, RCS (Rider Circulation Services
“After having seized the identity of “Mr. Magazine”, Samir has done a great job of living up to this title. I can now think of no one else as Mr. Magazine. A big booster of the industry. Thanks Samir!”
Diane Stefani
Executive Vice President, The Rosen Group
“Whether a multi-million dollar company or an entrepreneur yearning to enter the publishing industry, you’d be wise to consult with “Mr. Magazine” before contemplating launching a new magazine.”
Dennis Kelly
Member of the Executive Committee, Morris Visitors Publications
“Samir is a true professional in all that he does and I can recommend him without reservation. He has been an invaluable asset to Morris Communications as we recreate our magazine, visitor publications and book publishing assets. Samir is indeed “Mr. Magazine”! And he has some pretty cool ties too! Thanks for all that you do Samir!”
Stan Tiner
Executive Editor, Sun Herald newspaper
“Samir is a visionary who saw the changes that would swamp the media landscape before they arrived. He perceives problems and provides solutions for clients that are appropriate for their market and their newspaper or magazine.”
Joe Pulizzi
Founder, Content Marketing Institute
“Without a doubt, Samir knows more about magazines than anyone else I know. The “Mr. Magazine” title is a perfect fit. I’ve also had the opportunity to be at a number of events hearing Samir speak. If you are looking for an entertaining and educational presentation about magazines, he’s your guy.”
Sak (Jacobus) van den Boom
Owner, Customer Media Council, The Netherlands
“Samir Husni is one of the world’s outstanding leaders in the practice of crafting (consumer) magazines. And he is a warm, intelligent, generous person, always willing to share his vast store of knowledge and to teach anyone with the desire to learn. I highly recommend Samir to anyone lucky enough to come into contact with him. He is among the very best magazine consultants and very best people I know.”
Scott Jones
Former Executive Editor, Southern Living magazine
“I’ve known Samir for more than 20 years—first studying with him at Ole Miss and working along side him on the Guide To New Magazines. Currently, I have the pleasure of working with Samir as a member of the Board of Directors of the Magazine Innovation Center. His dedication to our industry is unparalleled—both in vision and passion. These attributes have positioned him as the go-to authority in the world of magazine publishing.”
Sid Salter
Professor, Mississippi State University, Editorial Page Editor, The Clarion Ledger
“Samir was head of the Department of Journalism at Ole Miss when I was serving as the Cook Chair in Journalism in 1996-97. He is without question the world’s most trusted source on magazines and is a highly acclaimed newspaper consultant. He is also a true and trusted friend. I cannot give him a higher recommendation personally and professionally.”
Frank Hitzert
Publisher, Sanoma Magazines, Czech Republic
“Samir Husni adds pepper to paper, and salt to make it sold. Or, as any cooking magazine would phrase it: the best spices are still coming from the Middle East!”
Tony Silber
General Manager, Red 7 Media
“Samir Husni is a magazine-industry treasure. He has built a business as a consultant through his extraordinary intellect and understanding of how magazine-companies work. But he’s far more than just that: He’s an icon. He’s a brand. He’s an evangelist for print media who understands the interplay of print and digital media. The magazine industry is more successful because of Samir Husni’s work, and the good news is that he’s imparting his knowledge not just to his peers, but also to the next generation of media specialists, through his work at the University of Mississippi.”
Milton j. Cuevas
Owner, Cuevas Publishing
“Samir and the Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi perform a vital and needed function for the overall Publishing industry. He is a dynamic and innovative force in his research / development.”
Franska Stuy
Editor in Chief, Libelle magazine, The Netherlands
“Don’t know how Samir Husni manages to know everything about a magazine, without being able to read it because of the language. (Dutch!) But he knows exactly what’s wrong and right and knows to inspire people to make changes and to put extra effort in the work. Great!”
Peter Van De Kraats
Editor in Chief, Story magazine, The Netherlands
“I have worked with Samir on a restyling of a Dutch magazine. Samir has no blood in his veins, but ink. He lives for media, or better: for magazines. And because he is a ‘hands on’ type, he is able to let you do the restyling instead of carrying it out for you. He makes you think about format, layout and contents and gives gives, thanks to his rich knowledge concerning the media, many examples and possibilities. Samir increased my knowledge and thoughts on magazines – within relatively short time – considerably. And I used his ‘click ‘n’ stick’on covers since then on a weekly base.”
Phil Rugile
Co-Founder/COO, MYMAG, LLC
“I have had to the opportunity to participate with Samir in a number of industry events as well as seeking his council on certain aspects of our business strategy. I have found him to be extremely well versed in all aspects of the publishing/media industry and someone whom you can bounce ideas off of to get a balanced perspective. I highly recommend Samir as a well-rounded industry consultant.”
Emily Main
Former Student, University of Mississippi
“Samir Husni knows more about the publishing industry than most lifetime magazine editors I’ve worked with since serving as his graduate assistant at the University of Mississippi. His tireless devotion to print and online media makes him my first source of information on any emerging trends in the industry. And almost 10 years after leaving the university, I still find myself going back to the lessons I learned in his magazine classes–repeating “More information in less time and less space” on an almost daily basis.”
Greg Sullivan
CEO/Founder, Afar Media
“Samir is very sharp and an expert in the industry. A real pleasure to work with. Highly recommend.”
Donna Kessler
President, Morris Visitor Publications
“I have had the pleasure of working with Samir for several years on multiple projects. His knowledge and inventive thinking keep us coming back for more…. we have created a wonderful partnership.”
Noelle Skodzinski
Editorial Director, Publishing Executive magazine
“There is no question that Samir Husni’s trademarked name, “Mr. Magazine,” suits him. He knows more about the magazine publishing industry than most others, and has a unique, big-picture perspective. He has done work for me several times as a consultant for our Publishing Business Conference, as a speaker at our conference, and now, fortunately for me, he is a columnist for Publishing Executive magazine (where I am editorial director). In addition to providing insights in the state of the publishing industry, and making witty and extremely wise comments about the mistakes he sees transpiring within the industry, he possesses a keen ability to observe successful publishing strategies and is driven to share them with others. Beyond his brilliance (and I am not exaggerating), he has a fabulous sense of humor that just makes him a pleasure to work with and be around. I am lucky to have worked with and continue to work with Samir, and I hope to do so for a long time.”
Peggy Northrop
V.P., Global Editor in Chief, Reader’s Digest
“One of the great minds in magazines–Samir is an avid reader, admired critic and valued advisor to many of us in the business.”
Alfredo Ogawa
Editorial Services Director, Abril magazines, Brazil
“Samir really deserves that “Mr Magazine” title. We have had the opportunity to witness his knowledge and capacity here at Abril. Hope he can come back soon to visit us again.”
Henk van den Einden
Sanoma Magazines, The Netherlands
“I have never met a more inspiring magazine-addict than Samir Husni. In two days he makes you dig deeper than deep in your magazine-making heart and soul and makes you rethink and reload all the knowledge you thought you had. Very motivating.”
Jackie Leo
Editor in Chief, The Fiscal Times and former Editor in Chief of Reader’s Digest magazine
“Samir Husni is one of the most knowledgeable experts in the magazine industry. He is always ahead of the curve, identifying trends and changes in the marketplace. And he’s delightful to work with–an honest broker with no agenda except to report on the industry and offer his special knowledge about magazine start-ups. Samir’s research is impeccable, and his judgment is equally sound. He’s a valued pillar of the industry.”
Marshall McKinney
Former Student, University of Mississippi and Art Director, Garden & Gun magazine
“Samir is more an oracle than consultant. He has a clarity of vision hard earned from years of experience that allows him to see IN to complicated scenarios and problems and not merely at them. Samir culls information together with fresh perspective so that a company, an editor, or a publisher can bare it full witness in a new light thus maximizing their company’s potential. Better understand strengths and weaknesses. Be more succinct. Find harmony. And, fully realize the forest while enjoying the trees. Look, in a print media industry fraught with big voodoo, you’d better have the best witchdoctor in the village on your side. Otherwise, the sacrifice is just too great.”
Greg Daugherty
Author, “You Can Write for Magazines” (Writer’s Digest Books)
“It was a lucky day for the magazine business when Samir Husni decided to become Mr. Magazine instead of Mr. Comic Book or something. He has documented the contemporary magazine scene like nobody else for the past 25 years. Plus his enthusiasm for magazines (and understanding of how they work) is simply inspiring.”
Lori Rosen
Executive Director, Custom Content Council
“Samir Husni is one of the most knowledgeable and well versed publishing professionals in the industry. He is an excellent speaker and industry champion. I highly recommend him for any publishing work.”
Sandra De Preter
Former Publishing Director, Sanoma Magazines, Belgium
Great Results, High Integrity, Creative.
John Sowell
Former Student, The University of Mississippi
“Samir was an exemplary professor and advisor to me in college, and helped me turn around key business challenges as a professional on more than one occasion. At the core, Samir is simply a sound marketer who truly understands consumer interest, intent and behavior. At the highest level, he has the uncanny ability to bring clarity, solidify the fundamentals and effectively splash creativity . . . all within the context of sound data and business performance. I have had the privilege of knowing him for a quarter century. He has impacted my education, approach as a business person and my life as a longtime friend. I hold him in the highest regard on academic, professional and personal levels. The man who taught me the principles of effective design helped me reshape a group of trade magazines and turn around lagging utilization for one of America’s leading directories. If it is in print and needs a jolt, there is no one better on the planet to guide your strategy.”
Wilma Tichelaar
Art Director, VTWONEN, The Netherlands
“Do you want a relationship or a one-night stand with your reader?’ One of the out-of-the-box approaches of Samir Husni, aka Mr. Magazine™. Samir has got his way to grab your attention, hold it, pour out in his knowledge and make it stick. His words echo through every issue since he advised us on the restyling of our magazine in 2009, because they’re still valid.”
“Dr. Samir Husni is one of the world’s most influential voices in global publishing, advising major publishing houses across the globe on their editorial and advertising strategies. When he talks, the magazine industry listens…” European Union’s PrintPower magazine
Samir "Mr. Magazine™" Husni 