Modern Ferret Magazine - Press Releases

Modern Ferret
Contact: Mary Shefferman
P.O. Box 1007
Smithtown, NY 11787
Email: mary

modernferret.com
http://www.modernferret.com

TWO-PERSON, NINE-FERRET COMPANY PUBLISHES MAGAZINE ON PAR WITH THE ECONOMIST, THE NEW YORKER, TEEN PEOPLE, AND ELLE DÉCOR

Husband-and-wife team's home-based Modern Ferret Magazine named one of the 12 Best Magazines by min magazine.

SMITHTOWN, NY - Modern Ferret magazine, the first color magazine for ferret owners, has been named one of the 12 Best Magazines in the Business by min magazine (a publication of the Media Industry Newsletter and Phillips Business Information, Inc.). Entrepreneurial ferret owners Eric and Mary Shefferman publish the bi-monthly Modern Ferret out of their home in New York. The couple's business grew out of a desire to work from home and spend more time with their ferrets.

"In choosing these exceptional magazines," said David Shaw, senior vice president of PBI, "the min staff looked primarily for publications that were doing something very special. They were either hugely strong financially or totally in tune with their target readers - or, ideally, both." The 12 Best Magazines as named by min are: The Economist, The New Yorker, MAXIM, Modern Ferret, Racer, Elle Décor, Broadcasting & Cable, Red Herring, Information Week, Teen People, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, and ESPN The Magazine.

"Staying in tune with our readers' concerns is easy for us since we are ferret owners ourselves," said Mary. From Modern Ferret's inception, the Sheffermans have aspired to create a full-service ferret magazine, providing everything from proper care information to funny stories, poems, and clever photos. "When we started Modern Ferret, there was nothing out there for people like us - ferret owners who were looking for ways to learn about and celebrate our pets," Mary explained.

"We love our ferrets and they are a big part of our lives. Ferrets have a lot of bounce and energy, so we've always tried to reach past the boundaries of traditional pet magazines. We're the Rolling Stone of pet magazines," said Eric. Modern Ferret strives to break new ground with every issue. Past issues have featured such things as a phony movie ad (There's Something About Trixie), tear-out ferret gift tags for the holidays, and a cover spoof of Gap commercials ("this is incredibly easy").

"Ferrets are enthusiastic animals and they deserve a magazine that reflects their energy and flair," said Mary. Modern Ferret's playful identity is evidenced by its humorous full-color ferret centerfolds, columns written from a ferret's perspective ("Marshmallow Explains It All"), and ferret-style takeoffs of classic fairy tales. Modern Ferret also provides keeping, training, and health care information that is consistently accurate - with the singular perspective that only other ferret owners can provide.

According to min, the top magazines were selected because: "They are the titles that pushed the envelope of creativity and carved out a definitive identity that set them apart from their competitors on the newsstand. … Simply put - they are the best at what they do." Of the magazines honored by min, Modern Ferret is the only pet magazine and the only home-based business.

The Sheffermans decided to start Modern Ferret when they realized they could provide a valuable service to other ferret owners and earn a living by photographing and writing about their experience with their own ferrets. Since starting the magazine, the Sheffermans have become established as well-respected experts on ferrets. Mary is the author of The Ferret: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet published by Howell Book House. Since 1994, the Sheffermans' staff of ferrets has grown from three to nine: Sabrina, Marshmallow, Knuks, Trixie, Bosco da Gama, Balthazar, Cauliflower, Koosh, and Gabrielle.

The magazine industry recognized Modern Ferret's unique appeal at its inception when Samir Husni (Mr. Magazine™) chose it as one of the 50 most notable launches of 1995 along with George, Fast Company, P.O.V., Time Out New York, and The Weekly Standard in his book New Consumer Magazines. Modern Ferret has also been featured in print and television advertising campaigns for Borders Bookstores.

To arrange an interview or for photos or more information, contact Mary and Eric Shefferman and their ferrets via fax XXXXXXXXXX or e-mail mary

modernferret.com.