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Meet the Media: Elizabeth Engler Modic, Editor at GIE Media’s Manufacturing Group

I am the editor of Today’s Medical Developments, Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, Today’s Motor Vehicles, and Today’s eMobility, which make up GIE Media’s Manufacturing Group of publications. I oversee the direction of the magazines and the editorial content ranging from the print issues to the digital assets we offer – webinars, video production, virtual events, eblasts, etc.

Can you tell us what types of stories, trends or issues are on your radar now?

The focus of GIE Media’s Manufacturing Group’s publications is the design and manufacture within medical, aerospace, and motor vehicles. One of the areas that continues to be of key interest is automation and efficiency on the shop floor, which encompasses IIoT/Industry 4.0 along with the technology and equipment to increase productivity and profitability for shops.

Describe the craziest or most fun story you have written.

Crazy and fun isn’t something I would say is typical when covering design and manufacture but in 2020 the innovative companies that have stepped up to the challenges of producing personal protective equipment (PPE), testing swabs, ventilators, and everything else needed during the pandemic have led to really interesting stories about how companies that invest in technology have been the fastest at changing on a dime to produce what’s needed to keep people safe and alive.

What story or stories are you most proud of?

There are so many terrific articles I have written about over the years but I would have to say the first article I ever wrote came about after a visit to Minnesota and a new, not well-known company named Stratasys that wanted to show off their new technology – 3D printing. Looking back at how the technology was just coming to market and how advanced it is all these years later is just amazing that I have been able to witness the changes in 3D/AM throughout my years in the industry.

What elements or characteristics do you look for in a story?  

Interesting insightful articles that aren’t commercials! I want to provide our subscribers with information to improve the efficiency of the products they produce, introduce them to the latest technologies and materials to consider, and the benefits achievable by investing and staying ahead of the competition.  

How long have you been in journalism and how did you get started?

I have been covering manufacturing for magazines since 1994, entering the world of journalism as an intern directly out of college. I did not have a clue what went on in the manufacturing industry but once I got a taste of it I never left. I was with my first company 13 years and I have been with GIE Media for 13 years.

Finish this sentence: If I am not reporting, I am reading, hanging out with my family, taking walks in our national parks.

What advice do you have for PR people that want to pitch you?

Know our markets if you are pitching us an article. Often we get topics that aren’t anywhere in the realm of design and manufacture and a PR person will continually pitch it no matter how often we say it’s not a fit. Do a little research before reaching out to an editor.  

Any pet peeves with PR people?

We welcome article pitches for any of our magazines but if you pitch us an article, please follow through. Often I get contacted about a great article idea and after discussing and planning it with an agency, they just go dark and the article never gets delivered. Follow through on what’s offered and if it’s not going to work out, reach out to me and let me know, maybe we can work on a different approach to get the article or topic together to get the message out to our readers.

Tell us a little about yourself (family, interests, hobbies, background, etc.)

My husband and I have a daughter, 20, and twin sons who just turned 19. Our family is rounded out with 1 dog and 2 cats. I grew up in Northeast Ohio and still live in Ohio, just a tad south of where I was raised.

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