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Focus

Focus is a full-colour, bi-monthly magazine which is distributed free of charge to all OVMA members. The award-winning publication is OVMA’s primary communication vehicle for members. The magazine features a number of regular sections, articles about hot veterinary issues, reports on OVMA’s economic research and other OVMA initiatives, one of the most comprehensive classified sections in Canada, and commercial advertising – all meant to keep members in the loop about important advances in the veterinary profession and in practice management.

Focus is published in January, March, May, July, September and November.

The deadlines to book commercial ad space are:

  • January/February 2010 – December 4, 2009.
  • March/April 2010 - February 3, 2010.
  • May/June 2010 - April 2, 2010.
  • July/August 2010 - June 4, 2010.
  • September/October 2010 - August 4, 2010.
  • November/December 2010 - October 4, 2010.

See the bottom of this page for Focus commercial and classified advertising rate sheets, and an advertising specifications sheet.

Commercial advertisers are advised to book early as prime positions are reserved quickly. Member and multiple ad discounts may apply.

Regular features of Focus magazine include:

  1. Real Life Stories: This series highlights veterinary professionals (and their practices) from around the province who have achieved success – either personally, financially or professionally in some unique way. The featured practice is analyzed to illustrate unique elements employed to achieve success. OVMA’s intent is for members who find themselves in similar situations to adopt the described elements – in whole or in part – to achieve similar successes in their own practices. Practices highlighted in the series are discovered during complimentary OVMA Practice Consultations – a complimentary service provided to all OVMA practice owners.
  2. The Bark at Queen’s Park: This series highlights OVMA’s government relations activities. The intent of the article is to provide important information about government activities and OVMA projects which affect veterinary professionals and their practices.
  3. Veterinary Activity Index: Complete with comparative charts, this article illustrates the financial activity in clinical practice across Ontario during a given period of time. The narrative provides insight into deviations (gains or losses) from average performance (that is, performance over the same given period in previous years or months). This article is intended as a tool to help OVMA members compare their financial performance during a given period of time with the performance of their peers.
  4. Help Wanteds: This article helps track the veterinary jobs market by comparing the number of Help Wanted classified ads run through OVMA (both on the web site and in Focus magazine) over a given period of time. The narrative provides insight into any deviations in the number of jobs offered during a given period of time, as compared to other periods (e.g., during other months or during other years.)
  5. Practice Management: This feature which now appears on the last page – after the Classified Ads – provides an overview of topics related to practice management. Topics covered have to date included items such as: closing Saturdays, the cost of pain management (and its acceptance by pet owners), and practice valuation.

Submissions

Focus is written primarily by OVMA staff members, however contributions are welcome in the form of articles or Letters to the Editor. Submissions are reviewed by the Managing Editor and the Focus Editorial Committee (comprised of three veterinarians from around the province). The decision to run an article is made by the Focus Editorial Committee.

Submissions to Focus must adhere to the following guidelines:

Letters to the Editor: Maximum of 500 words. Must be submitted via email and must not attempt to defame any individual or organization.

Articles: Maximum 700 words, must be submitted via email, must include a short biographical paragraph about the editor. Must provide the author’s contact details. May include photos or other imagery.

Focus Inquiries & Submissions

All inquiries about Focus magazine and submissions should be addressed to:

Melissa Carlaw, OVMA Manager of Communications & Public Relations (also the Managing Editor of Focus magazine)

mcarlaw@ovma.org, 1.800.670.1702, ext. 15.

Focus Advertising

All inquiries about advertising in Focus magazine should be addressed to:

Kathi Blinch, OVMA Member Services Associate

kblinch@ovma.org, 1.800.670.1702, ext. 10.