OUR MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
JOCELYN TAYLOR - PUBLISHER
UPTOWN MAGAZINE
Developing a business relationship with Jocelyn Taylor is much like building a monument – she works with one stone at a time, until a foundation of trust and reliability is secure. Beyond that, the height and potential of the structure is only a matter of imagination, something Jocelyn Taylor has an ample supply of.
After completing her studies as an English/Journalism major at Rutgers University, Ms. Taylor began to sharpen her professional identity at corporate establishments by way of Price Waterhouse, Lord and Taylor, and WorldCom. She then decided to hone her natural flair and love for interior decorating by earning a certificate in Interior Design and Decorating at Parsons School of Interior Design. In an effort to channel those talents into the right medium, she eventually sought a career in magazine publishing.
In 1998, Ms. Taylor began her journey in magazine publishing world as a Senior Account Executive at Black Enterprise Magazine, selling print advertising for its travel, beverage, and tobacco categories over a three year period. During that time, she was promoted to Senior Account Executive and retained over $2.5 million in annual revenue managing new and existing business partnerships. From there she moved on to do strategic marketing and sales planning as a Senior Account Director for Niche Media’s publications Gotham, Hamptons, and Los Angeles Confidential. There Ms. Taylor secured partnerships with numerous luxury companies, travel destinations and fashion businesses until moving on to the position of National Director of Advertising for the travel magazine, Odyssey Couleur. These positions inevitably prepared Ms. Taylor for the next leg of her journey - UPTOWN Magazine.
In 2005, Ms. Taylor joined the UPTOWN team as the Associate Publisher with the vision of vast expansion. In 2007 she was promoted to her current role of Publisher and has been instrumental in transforming UPTOWN into a nationwide cultural mouthpiece for Black America. Under the auspices of UPTOWN Media Group, UPTOWN Magazine is the first national lifestyle, luxury magazine targeting the affluent African American (AAA) tastemaker. UPTOWN caters to the high net-worth and luxury audience through the pages of each edition of the magazine while leveraging a range of marketing platforms available to their partners. Initially launched in July 2004 as a regional glossy over-sized quarterly publication, the mission was to target the heart and soul of the “urban elite” of the Big Apple – Harlem. Now celebrating five years of success as of September 2009, UPTOWN Magazine is presented as a national magazine that focuses on the life and style of the residents of the most storied and popular markets around the country. It has retained a loyal target audience, ages 25-44, with a median household income of $150K+. UPTOWN reaches this audience by celebrating the appeal of upscale and luxury brands, services and lifestyles. Editorial content includes fashion, entertainment, travel, epicurean, fine libations, luxury vehicles, art, social commentary, culture, real estate, lavish homes and most importantly, profiles and features of the tastemakers that make this audience so attractive and relevant.
Under her leadership over the past four years, she has utilized her Rolodex of connections infused with her indelible flair for success. As a result, the magazine's revenues have significantly increased with a surge of new luxury advertisers and marketing partners that embrace the urgency of identifying and respecting this demographic as their consumer. With creative input on the editorial end and the business savvy of a corporate pioneer, Ms. Taylor makes sure that the stories published and the advertisements embody the lifestyle and interests of her readers. In her role as Publisher, she continues to create integrated marketing platforms that extend beyond the magazine through customized, luxury, high profile events that network and showcase the publication’s marketing partner’s brands and services. While many independent publications have seen declines in recent years, UPTOWN magazine has risen ever upward, under the leadership and influence of Jocelyn Taylor.
Today, Ms. Taylor is an excellent portrayal of her likeminded, UPTOWN readership – a true fashionista with exceptional taste and a cultural thirst for art galleries, museums, international travel, fine cuisine, cigars, ballet, opera, jazz and dancing to house and salsa music to name a few of her favorite passions. Ms. Taylor prides herself on being a person of integrity and character and incorporates these virtues into how she maintains her business relationships. She currently resides in Essex County, New Jersey with her 12 year daughter.
Infusing her mantra Carpe Diem to her daily existence towards her drive and passions, she envisions and seizes every opportunity towards her professional and personal endeavors.
