In the News: PDC Marketing Director Margaret Dunne Shares Her Story (Part 1 of 3)

Kicking off the new year with new faces, Margaret Dunne, former Executive Editor of Architectural Digest, began her role as Director of Marketing at the Pacific Design Center. Margaret now oversees the marketing, events, and public relations of PDC—and despite her hectic schedule, she spent an afternoon letting us get to know her better.

GDG: How did you get started in the interior design world?

MD: I graduated from college with a degree in business, but I always had a love for magazines. Fashion, shelter, cooking—I loved them all, so when I learned there was a publishing company in Los Angeles, I contacted them and landed my first job at Bon Appétit magazine. My first job with Bon Appétit was as the assistant to the business manager for two years. From there I transferred within the company to Architectural Digest, where I remained for 23 years.

GDG: Was there anything in particular that helped you fall in love with the design industry?

MD: So many people have the same story when it comes to their introduction to Architectural Digest—someone in their family had a subscription to it because it was their favorite magazine. For me that was my dad. He loved AD, and I learned to love and appreciate it too.

Once I started working at AD, Paige Rense was the person who taught me about design. Her approach was to see the magazine through the eyes of the reader. She would take the time to explain why certain projects were accepted and why others were not, and she emphasized the importance of learning as much as I could about design—so I did!

GDG: Were there any people in particular who helped you in your career along the way?

MD: Paige Rense was certainly a mentor for me. Paige was also was very interested in the business of design and how the business was evolving, and this helped speed up my learning of the industry due to my degree in business. Paige always encouraged me to propose ideas and was extremely constructive with her critique of those that were not exactly what she was looking for.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo to hear more about Margaret and what she's most looking forward to at the PDC in 2012.