Basic HTML Version
AICF PROJECTS include /he use of
beauliful Ambassador Auditorium in Pas–
adena, California (lower righf) for cultural
programs such as the nationally televised
Gene Kelly special, and the highly ac–
claimed ballet duo, the Panovs (previous
page), a signiñcant archaeological exca–
va/ion in Jerusalem, Israel; a prestigious,
mass circula/ion magazine on human ex·
cel/ence,
Ouest;
andgoodwill visits w11h im–
portan/ world leaders (above, Mr. Herbert
W.
Armstrong meets Presiden/ Ferdinand
Marcos of /he Ph1lippines).
has performed in the auditorium as
well.
Musical artists performing in Am–
bassador Auditorium have reflected
the highest expression of the human
spirit. But that a lone was
too sma/1
a
stage for sha ring. Ma ny people
would never set foot in the U.S.A.
How could AlCF bring the same in–
tellectua l, emotional and spiritual ex-
The
PLAIN TRUTH February 1979
perience to others around the world?
The obvious answer was an
interna–
tional
magazine designed to convey
the same inspirational theme of hu–
man excellence.
The Origina of Quest/ 79
Qu es tf 79
provides the perfect
complement to the AICF concert .
series. It is a voice that seeks out
and celebrates, for our encourage–
ment, for our enlightenment and for
our example, areas of break–
through-areas where mankind's
spiritual resources
find expression in out–
of-the-ordinary cour–
age, commitment and
accomplishment.
But how was the
initial concept for
publishing a major
magazine actually de–
rived? First of all, it
was in fulfillment of Mr. Herbert
W. Armstrong's long-standing com–
mitment to publishing as a primary
vehicle for reaching the general
public with the message of the spiri–
tual potential inherent in humanity.
Mr. Armstrong more recently
wanted to take the fresh creativi ty
and inspiration of the foundation , as
expressed through its worldwide
projects and cultural activities, and
carry them to a Iarger audience
through the printed medium. He
saw the new magazine as an excel–
lent opportunity to swim upstream,
giving the public a responsible
source of positive information and
reading entertainment.
In mid-1975, the working title
Hu–
man Potential
was chosen and a
mock-up dummy issue prepared.
This was the first effort at expressing
the basic concept in a graphic man–
ner. The first draft prospectus was
printed on its first page.
Human Po–
tential
served admirably in showing
our commitment to produce a really
superior publication.
lt
also was in–
strumental in obtaining the profes–
sional expertise so necessary to make
the magazine a commercial success.
With the dummy issue in hand, we
began to search for the appropriate
professional publishing and editorial
team. It would have to be welded into
the tight, efficient group absolutely
essential for the ultimate success of
the venture.
The Posltl ve Potentlai -Man at
Hls Best
To achieve these standards,
Questf77
needed not only real specialists in the
areas of editing, circulation and ad–
vertising, but bel ieving converts to
the concept of the need for a positive
voice
in
the dismally negative press
of today. Hence the selection of Ar–
thur Murphy as publisher, the man
most responsible for the successful
launching of such titles as
Sports Il–
lustrated
and
Smithsonian.
And, as
editor, we appointed Mr. Robert
Shnayerson, formerly of
Time. Lije
and
Harper's.
Severa) comments from Mr.
Shnayerson clearly show how identi–
cal to our own is his grasp of the un–
derlying editorial concepts. Before
we met him, Mr. Shnayerson had be–
come "tired of journalistic myopia."
Fed up with publications that appeal
to man's worst instincts, he preferred
to "Jet other editors drag readers
through cesspools of mediocrity."
(Continued on page
45)
23