My turning point was having the privilege to work with Betty
Moodie, my former editor at Glamour. As my first 'real job' out of
Hampshire College, working at Glamour was like getting a Master's degree
in business, journalism, how to speak, how to dress, and how to advance
in communications.
Betty Moodie was tough. She was a warrior with words, had incredible
style and demanded perfection. She expected the same of her editorial
assistants. Back in the late-1970s, we were writing on manual
typewriters at Conde Nast. If we made a typo, no white-out was to be
used on anything going outside the company. Had to start again.
'You can't make a second first impression,' Betty would say from the
master desk in her very chic and very white office overlooking Madison
Avenue.
Betty's attention to detail has stayed with me throughout my career.
From Glamour, I went on to more concentrated writing at House & Garden,
which eventually led to being on the other side of the desk from
editorial as director of media relations at Vorhaus & Company.
Here, Robbie Vorhaus, president and CEO, also believes in flawless
execution and doing the simple tasks perfectly each time. (Just like
Betty.)
Bonni Brodnick is director of media relations at Vorhaus & Co.
