Jackie Frank


Jackie Frank
Spotlight on Jackie Frank Editor of marie claire

Every month the Spotlight is put on a select Australian woman who has either excelled in her career, and/or has established a successful or potentially successful business. Highlighted in Spotlight are business profiles, answers to useful career questions as are some quirky personal points.

Spotlight is designed to give us all inspiration and confirm that anyone can make his or her business dream or that promotion a reality...


This month read on to find out all about marie claire Editor; Jackie Frank


Profile
Jackie Frank entered the magazine world more than 15 years ago, working in the fashion department of Harper's Bazaar Australia. This proved to be the springboard for a dazzling career in international magazines, working with the world's top photographers and models as Fashion Editor of British Elle, then adapting to the frenetic pace of New York to work on American Elle and Mademoiselle magazines. Already an avid reader of marie claire , Jackie was lured back by the Brits who specially created for her the position of New York-based Fashion Editor for the multi-award winning British marie claire.

Her association with British marie claire , plus her intimate knowledge of the American magazine market, meant that Jackie was called upon to play an integral role in the launching of the US edition of marie claire , a magazine that has proved a phenomenal success since its inception. At the same time, Jackie continued with the UK edition until early 1995, when she was asked to return to Australia as Editor of the soon-to-be launched Australian marie claire .

Since it's launch in August 1995, Frank has taken marie claire to the top spot in the competitive fashion magazine market. Her ability to create an editorial line-up that excites, entertains and educates the readers month after month leads to a magazine that continues to be one of Australia's most successful, best-selling and admired on the newsstands.

In December 1996, Jackie and marie claire Australia were amongst an elite group to receive prestigious IPD International Press Awards. Jackie was awarded the Silver medal as International Editor of 1996 and the magazine won the silver Award for the Best International Launch of a magazine or newspaper. The magazine has won numerous other awards for excellence.

With 27 editions worldwide, marie claire is now read by thirteen million women in 26 countries every month.

Occupation/Title:
Editor, marie claire magazine

Company/Organization:
Murdoch Magazines

State:
NSW

Where did you grow up?
Melbourne

What was your first job?
I was a beautician.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Couldn't decide between being a lawyer or beautician.

What qualifications/experiences are required to perform your job?
I started off in the Melbourne office of Harpers Bazaar doing the Melbourne Fashion market and the social pages for the magazine. This evolved into doing fashion shoots. I have worked in the States and in England as a fashion editor. There are two schools of thought as to what makes a good editor. One is from the journalist side and the other from the creative. A good writer does not necessarily make a good editor. I think that you need to have good instincts and to understand the reader that you are appealing to. I am my reader.

How did you get to where you are now?
I was working for marie claire in both the States and England, when the opportunity came up to launch marie claire in Australia. I was the only person in the world who had worked on a marie claire and was Australian. I was lucky enough to be recommended as a potential candidate to the owners of Murdoch Magazines. I had to do a pitch and then I was interviewed by the French editorial team.

What are you really proud of: A) Personally? B) Professionally?
Personally I am really proud of my two beautiful children. Raising kids is the hardest thing that I have had to do! Professionally I am proud of winning Magazine of the year in 2001 at the Magazine Publishers of Australia Awards.

What do you class as your biggest career achievement?
Launching marie claire .

How many hours a week do you work?
I'm always working, even when I am not at work I am constantly thinking about it.

Where would you like to be in ten years time?
I never plan the future.

What advice would you give to somebody embarking on their first business or aspiring to achieve extraordinary career goals?
Just go for it. If you think too long and hard about it you will never get it done. I always like to step in boots and all.

What is the best piece of advice anybody has given you?
Just to be yourself.


Fast Facts on Jackie

Who living or dead would you most like to invite to dinner and why?
Golda Meir. She was the prime minister of Israel. A truly inspirational woman.

Do you recall your favourite toy as a child:
A pink teddy bear

What are you reading at the moment?
Magazine articles

Is there a talent/attribute you wish you had?
I wish that I could sing like Barbara Streisand

Which song transports you to another place when you hear it and why?
I want to be your girl. It makes me think of the kids, we always dance to it

Your favourite place in the world, and why?
Greece. I feel like I lived there in a past life

What is your idea of the perfect Day?
Sunny day on the beach with my kids and going for an afternoon nap followed by a quick swim and early dinner with the family.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read the words John Howard'?
What's he done now!

Can you tell us what you require for a happy healthy & enjoyable life (important to you)?
Children, Love, Health, Food, Family, Security

Are there other related careers to your chosen career?
TV producing

- Michelle Palmer

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