| EDITORIAL >
N°100
Written by: text Petr Kolář, the author
is editor of Xantypa
100 issues already! In order to celebrate, we have decided - for
once - to speak a bit about ourselves. And to let our readers speak
about us, The Prague Tribune.
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"The
Prague Tribune? Great section on wine, dining and cigars.
In addition to that, an island of sincere
and honest journalism attempting to bring interesting stories
from the Czech business and social scene!"
Martin Jahn, CEO, CzechInvest
"
The Prague Tribune embodies the entrepreneurial spirit
that is growing in this country. The magazine is lively,
informative, and covers all aspects of local business life.
The staff ofThe Prague Tribune makes the Czech Republic
a better place for all of its readers."
Jack Stack, CEO, Česká spořitelna
"Some publications are required reading for me in
order _to stay on top of the latest political and economic
developments, whilst there are others which I read purely
for pleasure. The Prague Tribune has the rare distinction
of fulfilling both those roles in a single magazine."
Naveed Gill, general manager, TISCALI Telekomunikace Česká
republika
"
The Prague Tribune is very inspiring in its form and content,
as it touches all corners of the information I need, so
I read it instead of just glancing through it. That is
important to me." Anthony Shee, managing director, Kinnarps
"
I think that it is a very readable magazine with good taste,
offering a valuable service to the entrepreneurial and
business community. The well selected balance of business
and career information, with the "vitamin cocktail" about
lifestyle, helps to find one's personal image. The magazine
is good medicine for nerves during a manager's relaxation
time."
Zbyněk Frolík, managing director, LINET
"
The facts, trends, and analyses of current events, _coupled
with in-depth interviews with the people influencing these
events, give me the insight to help me successfully navigate
my company in this dynamic emerging market. The Prague
Tribune is an essential guide for the local _business community."
Charles Peake, CEO, Czech On Line
"
As far as I know, this is the only bilingual magazine on
the Czech market with a long tradition and interrelated
sense for what is happening on the local economic scene.
From my point of view, The Prague Tribune addresses more
and more foreign experts living and working in the Czech
Republic. _And, of course, the Czech management community."
Jindřich Nevrla, general manager, Auto Palace Praha
"
The Prague Tribune, as the leading trade and lifestyle
publication in the Czech Republic, has been a precursor
and has contributed immensely to increasing the presence
of the local business community these past eleven years."
René Beauchamp, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Prague
"
I have been a regular reader ofThe Prague Tribune over
the last seven years that I have spent in Prague. What
I like is the print quality of the magazine itself, the
glossy paper and nice photographs."
Bruno Le Ciclé, managing director, Nestlé Česko
"
I have followed The Prague Tribune most of the time it
has been on the market. I like that it focuses on topics
that are really essential and up-to-date, whether from
the business or lifestyle point of view. I also notice
that many of my colleagues working in top managerial positions
see it as a form of media to take seriously."
Jan Kubát, managing director, Logica CMG
"
Congratulations to The Prague Tribune on its anniversary,
and I wish you and your staff many happy returns! It has
been refreshing to find the slightly different angle with
which you look at the local scene. It is greatly appreciated.
Keep up the good work."
Vladimír Motlík, CEO, Epic
"
I'm a regular reader and admire The Prague Tribune because
it's not afraid to address issues that are still considered
taboo by many other publications."
Erik Best, publisher, Fleet Sheet and Final Word
"
To me, The Prague Tribune means fine reading and very nice
people. It is the unbiased and professional journalism
that distinguishes your magazine. Wishing you all the best
with the next 100 issues."
Gabriel Berdár, CEO, Český Telecom
"
The CMC Graduate School of Business celebrates your success
and is grateful to your publication for your contribution
to the ongoing business dialogue. The Prague Tribune has
enriched many of our students and alumni. "
Peter R. Loewenguth, president, CMC Graduate School of
Business, Čelákovice
"
I have always enjoyed reading The Prague Tribune. The only
thing I regret is that I can not buy this magazine every
week."
Jan Sýkora, director, Wood & Company Financial
Services
"
It has always been a pleasure to read The Prague Tribune,
indeed from the very first issue. What I have valued ever
since is not only its professional and sometimes audacious
approach, but also the fact that it has radiated a spirit
of independence."
Pavel Kalášek, CEO, Hewlett - Packard
"
As an Austrian citizen living in Prague for a long time,
of course I follow periodical titles published here in
foreign languages. In the case of The Prague Tribune, I
appreciate the complex and independent angle of view, and
the professionalism of the work."
Rudolf Javurek, general manager, Import Volkswagen Group
"
The Prague Tribune is pleasant reading for leisure time,
and at the same time it represents an interesting source
of economic information. Its articles concerning travel,
tourism and gastronomy are certainly inspiring for readers,
and it helps in an educational way to orient oneself in
the flood of day-to-day information."
Kamil Ziegler, chairman of the board and general manager,
Raiffeisenbank
"
The Prague Tribune plays an important role in shaping business
values and perceptions in the Czech market, both of Czech
executives with an international outlook and of foreigners
working here. The interviews are differentiated and open.
Great value added!"
Erik A. Slingerland, managing partner
Egon Zehnder International Management Consultants
"
The Prague Tribune provides me with precise inside information
about the Czech Republic. It never hides away when it comes
to delicate matters. I don't miss an issue."
Ulrich Bastert, managing director, Daimler Chrysler Automotive
Bohemia
"
I consider The Prague Tribune to be a quality title with
stable market _position. It is able to target interesting
topics and bring them to its readers. For our operations
in the market of consultancy and technological services,
The Prague Tribune presents invaluable information and
ideas."
Pavel Šťovíček, director, Logos
"
I consider The Prague Tribune to be one of the best "informers" about
people and business on the Czech economic scene. The quality
of the articles is the most important element for me, and
the bilingual aspect is very practical for our employees."
Jérome Legrain, deputy general manager, head of corporate
banking, Credit Lyonnais Bank Praha
"
I have adjusted quite naturally and comfortably to the
different formats of The Prague Tribune, as I always enjoyed
reading its society topics, reports, and news on former
or new decision makers in the country. 100 issues: Bravo
- and long life!"
Marko Pařík, CEO, Delta Pekárny
"
I consider The Prague Tribune a very good magazine, having
an original and useful approach relating to my professional
experience in the Czech Republic. The Prague Tribune distinguishes
itself by always searching for new topics and not repeating
generally known information - for example, discovering
new fields of business in the Czech Republic."
Alexis Juan, chairman and CEO, Komerční banka
"
I appreciate The Prague Tribune mainly because of its interesting
and up-to-date information, which addresses a wide spectrum
of readers, both foreigners and Czechs. It presents information
from society, and the cultural and political sector with
a certain distance, without emotion and in a realistic
manner. That's the way to win the readers."
Mojmír Čapka, chairman of the board and general director,
Brisk Tábor
"
In my opinion, The Prague Tribune is no ordinary magazine.
Its focus on the latest trends and developments in business
in the Czech Republic is invaluable to people like me who
lead multi-disciplinary organizations. The Prague Tribune
shows sound judgment and inspires others to excel."
Dirk Kroonen, country managing partner, Ernst and Young
"
I've been reading The Prague Tribune nearly religiously
for the last five to seven years (keeping all issues neatly
stacked in my home office). I especially appreciate the
main feature articles which I find professionally researched
and well balanced. Good luck and another 'healthy' 100
issues of The Prague Tribune!"
Michael Vostatek, managing director, Sagem |
Philippe & Juliette |
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Philippe Riboton (39), publisher
A global family
He studied politics, but was never really convinced to enter the
arena. Instead he started to work as a journalist after having
published his first article in the French daily Le Monde, then
became an entrepreneur when only 23. "I wouldn't define
myself as a journalist, although I'm publishing a magazine," he
says. When he first came to Prague some 12 years ago, he says
he saw many opportunities and asked himself: "Why not try
something here?" This something became The Prague Tribune,
a publication that turns 11 this month. "We try to follow
our own path, which, I'm convinced, is the right thing to do",
he says. His colleagues confirm this. "He's a visionary,
with a clear idea that he pursues uncompromisingly," says
Klára Smolová. They say you can easily see that it is Philippe's
baby. "He pampers it, and he values the shape it's taken," says
Jaroslav Nejedlý. A baby that his wife Catherine, now the manager
of Signature, the corporate publishing division of the company,
also helped to raise. In the business community, Philippe is
also known as the managing director of Synergie, a French-based
recruitment company he established in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Although he sometimes misses the family and friends in France,
he says the Czech Republic feels like home. "I am thankful
to this country as it gave me a unique opportunity. Our children,
Juliette (8) and Julien (2) have grown up here. They are also
somehow the children of The Prague Tribune."
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Klára Smolová (31), associate editor
Pulling it all together
Editorial work takes up most of her time. They say she's a workaholic. "She
can do ten times what a normal mortal can," Monika Mudranincová
says of her. "I know how to kick back," Klára responds.
She and her former boyfriend own a bar, she sweats blood at jazz
dance classes, and rides horses. She's been through the works -
from translator and assistant up to associate editor. She's in
charge of production, assigns articles and photos, edits, and writes. "I'm
always faced by the dilemma of whether to do the organizing or
write. Now I do both. My life revolves around the monthly closings,
which sometimes drive me crazy, but it is not a stereotype yet." She
graduated from secondary school in 1990 and left for the Netherlands
to work for a year as an au pair. Upon her return she dove into
journalism. She started out with TK's Presscentrum as an assistant
and interpreter. She prepared materials for articles for foreign
journalists, who in exchange taught her how to write. "It
was the school of life," she says. In the meantime, she began
studies at the private Anglo-American College, where she had a
chance to combine economics and journalism. She studied for three
years and at the same time worked in the community of foreign journalists.
She's "serving" her ninth year with the Tribune, and
according to Philippe she's one of pillars of the editorial staff.
She works mainly on economic topics. "It's not just dry theory,
it's stories about people, their successes and failures."
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Jaroslav Nejedlý (28), graphic designer Creative freedom
He graduated from an industrial construction school. He failed
a talent test for architecture, instead being accepted to study
construction. He requested a two-year postponement and headed
for the US. He started out as an errand-boy in a graphics studio. "After
a while my boss realized that I was good for more than just running
around Manhattan, so he accepted me into the studio." Upon
his return he didn't want to waste all he'd learned. "A
friend recommended the Tribune to me, as their graphic artist
was on his way out. That was over eight years ago." The
reason he's stayed so long is simple. "I have freedom, the
entire graphic content is up to me. I just consult ideas with
Philippe." The trust is mutual. "Jerry is my second
set of eyes. I don't have to explain anything to him, he knows
exactly what I want," Philippe says. It's like working with
the photographers - over the years, a well-functioning system
has been built up. "I don't talk about it much with them.
They know what to take pictures of, and how to do it, which is
clear from their work," he says. A newlywed, this designer
works at home in the mornings, and in the editorial office in
the afternoons. As closing approaches, the rush begins. "But
I know how to relax. Long trips on my mountain bike or my motorcycle,
listening to electronic rock. I also recharge my batteries over
the summer, when we have one double issue. At the end of July
I come back energized for the entire coming year."
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Monika Mudranincová (36), reporter Back in the saddle
If it hadn't been for the Velvet Revolution, she'd be teaching
Czech and English. She studied at the Charles University School
of Philosophy. "But I'd go crazy if I had to do the same
thing over and over," she admits. She might have emigrated,
but November of 1989 came when she was in her fifth year of college,
so she had no reason to leave. Things started happening in Prague,
and journalists from Reuters chose her as a girl Friday. She
interpreted, went out for snacks, and she wrote. Then The Wall
Street Journal and The Washington Post got in touch with her. "I
learned the Anglo-Saxon work style - verify information from
several sources, write no more than is necessary - although this
remains a struggle for me to this day." In 1994 she met
Christine Bučan, who was at that time the Tribune's editor-in-chief.
Monika was fascinated by the bilingual magazine and the cosmopolitan
environment. Two years later she took a four-year hiatus for "maternity
forced labor", and when that was over she found out that
the magazine still existed. "I returned out of curiosity
as to what had changed there." Also, she wanted to get back
to English and join a team of nonconformists. She's one of the
editorial staff's admitted stars. "Pleasant, creative, of
good character, and an excellent journalist," Philippe says
of her. Klára acknowledges that she would have turned gray long
ago without her around. "She covers a large part of the
magazine," she says.
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Věroslav Sixt (39), photographer A harmony of vision
He graduated from an applied arts secondary school and wasn't accepted
for college. He played folk and renaissance music, and photography
was only a hobby, but during his military service, it became
his profession. As soon as he was discharged he started working
at Barrandov and attended college part time - studying photography
at the Film Academy of Performing Arts under Professor Šmok.
He worked for several publications, and then set out on his own.
Today he has his own photography studio, and along with his partner,
Štěpánka Strouhalová, a journalist and stylist, works for various
periodicals. "I came to The Prague Tribune years ago. At
that time it was the only luxury magazine on the market - in
appearance, graphics, and paper quality. Furthermore, its orientation
was unlike any of the others. I also liked that Philippe asserted
his knowledge and taste from abroad - a simple, modern design," he
recalls. The harmony is apparent. "Věrek understands my
ideas perfectly," says Philippe. His photos can be found
in the section of the magazine devoted to lifestyle - design,
architecture, furniture, art - and sometimes on the cover. He
also has other customers, so he's happy to be able to find time
for recreational sports. "Bicycle riding, skiing, and music
have receded into the background," Věrek admits.
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