NOTES FROM 5 FEBRUARY 1976 DD/A PLANNING TEAM MEETING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-00114R000100070034-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 29, 2002
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: February 5, 1976
• Content Type: NOTES

Jerry,
A few notes from the last half of the 5 February 1976
DD/A Planning Team meeting which was held in the DD/A conference
room:
STATINTL
was the guest during this portion of
the meeting and had apparently been invited by
STATINT
to share her ideas as to how to make the proposed magazine,
"'Exchange," a roaring success right off the bat. Pat works
for Angus Thuermer who is Assistant to the Director and,
as I understand it, has done a considerable amount of speech
writing for Mr. Colby. She was also in on the creation of
the National Intelligence Daily (NID). Needless to say,
she is a mighty sharp gal and most interesting to listen to.
Some of her ideas and comments were as follows:
a. Feedback - She stressed the importance of feedback
and urged that the team find a way to obtain it (e.g.
letters to the editor). She said that "reader reaction"
is very important, particularly during the early life of
a new publication. Suggested that, in the first issue,
editor should specifically ask readers for comments.
In recalling the early period of the NID, she said that
she obtained little, if any, feedback-- nothing ever sub-
stantive--usually only a complaint once in a while. There-
fore, she further suggested that the editor might repeat
the request for reader comments in the first several
issues.
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b. Format - Pat said that it would be good to
categorize the magazine in sections, but cautioned
against locking yourself into a set format which would
have to be followed in each and every publication.
t. Style - She suggested that the length of articles
be varied as much as possible in each issue but, in general,
articles should be fairly short. Whatever the length,
though, make them lively. Use variety--update pieces,
thoughtful pieces, but if it is a "think" piece and
fairly long, label it as such and place it near the
back of the magazine. Use pictures whenever possible.
Write a humorous article once in a while. Argumentative
and provocative subjects are good--attract more readers.
Bylines are important, especially if the. writers home....
office does not necessarily endorse his article.-'Don't
try to label your audience--division and staff chiefs may
want to pass the magazine around.for general reading at
lower levels. Don't write extremely technical articles.
If one has been written that you think is exceptionally
worthwhile, make reference to it by author, subject, date,
etc. Might have a "note section" in back of magazine for
this purpose.. It's good to use short sentences but don't
overdo it--don't make your article sound choppy.
d. Subject Ideas - "Occasionally address issues to
Headquarters Building subjects--morale items--after all,
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one purpose of the publication is to improve morale."
Other ideas might be:
(1) Secrecy - Where is the boundary line?
Thoughts pro and con.
(2) Media Leaks
(3) Security
(4) Freedom of Information
(5) Ask Mr. Bush for an article. Give him the
opportunity to speak to all the troops in DD/A. He
may not have the time to make the rounds completely.
STATINTL
asked that articles (in draft) be sent
to her on or before 1 March. She is shooting for 1 April as
first publication date. Next meeting will be on 5 March
STATINTL. since all contributions should be in by that date. Per Jim
however, this date is tentative and he will advise
further.
STATINTL
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