About Us: Pop City

Back in March of 2006 we weren’t  quite sure what to expect. There we were launching an online-only publication devoted solely to good news in Pittsburgh. How would that go over?

Two years later, we have a good idea. A sampling from our email box: “This is just what Pittsburgh needs.”  “Who knew so much was happening in this cityI"  “Thanks to Pop City I have a deeper appreciation of Pittsburgh. I send it out far and wide…”

So in this, our 100th issue, we figured it was about time we take the opportunity to talk About Us and answer Frequently Asked Questions, only one of which we made up -- and we’re not saying which one.

Pop What?

One of our first questions, beside what is Pop City, is why the name? It’s a nod to Warhol and the one-of-a -kind gem of a cultural institution that we point to often as a great Pittsburgh thing. People, places, things that make Pittsburgh pop. Plus we just love the sound of it. Pop Star. Pop Spot. Pop Filter. Pop! Pop! Pop!

What’s the goal of Pop City?

To change the conversation in Pittsburgh. Stomp out the negative self-image and enlighten people to the many great things going on here. Enhance the image of Pittsburgh, both inside and outside the region.  Connect the players and engage more people in making Pittsburgh a better place to live, work and play.

And how do you do that?

We report the substantive, show-don’t-tell, behind-the-scenes, un- and underreported growth and investment news—from the built environment and green news to tissue regeneration and robotics. We recently added arts and cultural events in Pop Filter. Each week, we find it hard to decide which of the many worthy stories and events to include.

Along the way, however, we found ourselves wanting to do more:  not just to change the conversation but also to improve the region by better defining our challenges (transportation, for instance, which you can read  here) and to focus on solutions to make Pittsburgh even better. 

What is your editorial philosophy?

There’s the positive news of course. Digging deeper, we’re out to turn the tide in Pittsburgh. As in TIDE that stands for Talent, Innovation, Diversity and Environment, a concept that came out of our own Carnegie Mellon.  Editorially we focus on the rise of the new economy with  news about investment in the city, from research and grant money to venture capital funds and new building.

Our feature stories topics range from Making Pittsburgh a Great 21st Century City (click here to read) to first person, edgy accounts of  young entrepreneurs building a business in Pittsburgh.  Sometimes they’re simply fun lifestyle pieces, like where to go for fab second hand clothing or the best vegetarian restaurants in town (coming soon!).

Who’s reading Pop City these days?

Over the course of several months Google Analytics tracked our readership and found readers In 7003 cities and 163 countries. Pop City is being read by nearly 150,000 total visitors monthly, a number that keeps growing.  And we have upwards of 1800 web sites pointing to us. With a readership that extends well beyond Pittsburgh, one foundation president said no publication is doing more to enhance the image of Pittsburgh both inside and outside the city than Pop City.

Sweet, but we just report what’s happening here.

Why the emphasis on neighborhoods?
    
Nabes rule! It could be Pittsburgh’s motto. We have an abundance of diverse, thriving neighborhoods that are walkable and affordable with many amenities and attractions. Not to mention residents who are proud---really proud--of where they live. Our purpose is to guide readers in how to best navigate the neighborhoods, with detailed maps and detailed neighborhood guides on how to visit, invest and move into them. Interesting phenomenon: every time we feature a new neighborhood in Pittsburgh (see neighborhoods in the archives) we get hit with quite a few curious but pointed emails asking why not our neighborhood? We currently feature 14 nabes with seven more on the way this year and hopes of getting to them all eventually.

Who started all this?

That would be Brian Boyle. He started model D in Detroit with his partners in Issue Media Group. Brian’s business buddy, Lou Musante from Pittsburgh, told him he had to come to Pittsburgh to do a similar publication. So we have Lou to thank, too.  Brian brought on Eve Picker as local publisher who was with us two years before leaving this past October to co-manage cityLIVE, an event started as Pop City Live,  which we now proudly sponsor. With her departure, yours truly was named publisher in addition to editor, a role I’ve had from the start.   

Jennifer Baron, an amazing whirl of creative energy, is our development news editor and now our Pop Filter editor, too; Deb Smit is our innovation and job growth news editor who is fast becoming the go-to person for tech news in the region. Brian Cohen, a quiet, cerebral Brit with a wicked sense of humor, is our photographer who earns kudos every week for his work. Before Brian, the talented Jonathan Greene did our photography and helped set the Pop City tone.  Then there's Sharon Rivera (yes, Geraldo’s sister), our always entertaining marketing rep who swears she was the only Puerto Rican Jew in school to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, her birthday. And we believe her.

In addition, we have a strong lineup of  talented freelance writers, from Abby Mendelson, our most prolific who truly got the Pop City essence from the start, to our newest regular, Heidi Price, to fresh, edgy  new voices like Christina Kashzow featured in this issue.

For more on the About Us lineup, click here.

How can I get Pop City?

Sign up, comrades! Click here. It’s free. We don’t sell your email addresses.  And it will liven up your every Wednesday morning.  True story: when we were late sending out Pop City one week due to a technical glitch – our lives are  ruled by technical glitches sometimes -- we had dozens of emails asking where were we?  We were floored (ok, we were already floored by that technical glitch) and flattered.

We don’t buy lists so most of our 18,000 subscribers signed up on their own or were gifted by friends and relatives. You too can gift Pop City. Spread the love!

What’s next for Pop City?

A Hot Jobs/Talent section to help attract and retain talent in the region, where we will feature profiles and videos on companies and talent as well as six Hot Jobs per week and comprehensive job listing links.

Also, coming up: a civic engagement component for Pop City. We call it Wikipopia. Stay tuned!

I want to be associated with Pop City! How can I support this one-of-a-kind publication by advertising on the site, sponsoring a section or underwriting a cool program?

Well, if you insist. Contact us by clicking here.  

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Tracy Certo is publisher and editor of Pop City. Contact Trace with all compliments and general praise. For anything else, please email Brian Boyle.

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Ditto the photographs, which are all copyright Brian Cohen.