In a recent interview, leaders of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) reflect on the first five years of a highly successful partnership with ACS Publications, discuss the ongoing growth of their flagship journal, and look ahead to the promising future of continued collaboration.
In the world of scientific publishing, the strength and strategic alignment of a society's publishing partner can be pivotal in achieving its mission and goals. When the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) embarked on the search for a new publishing partner for their esteemed publication, Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (JASMS), they weren't simply seeking a service provider—they were in pursuit of a genuine partner, one that understood their mission and could help them achieve their goals. They wanted to be “more than just a number” in a sea of unrelated journals, noted ASMS Executive Director Jennifer Watson. In a recent insightful interview, pictured above, Ms. Watson and ASMS President Joseph Loo, Ph.D., shared their overwhelmingly positive experience with ACS Publications, shedding light on what makes this partnership a resounding success.
At the onset, members feared 'being eaten by the beast,' and in the end, we found ACS Publications is like a mom-and-pop shop where we are treated like one of their own.
Ms. Watson mentioned that when the process first began, members of ASMS and authors in their journal originally feared “being eaten by the beast”. Joe immediately jumped in and added clarity: “This is really a misconception by our author community who confuse the very large size of ACS as a membership society with their more moderate size as a publisher,” he said. "While ACS is a large society by comparison to ours, the publishing division operates at a world-class level with a mom-and-pop feel where we are treated like one of their own.”
The authors quickly overcame their anxiety as they settled into a reading and publishing routine that was trusted and familiar. Dr. Loo, a professor at The University of California, Los Angeles, has the unique perspective of having worked with ACS Publications in roles spanning manuscript reviewer, author, editor, and society leadership partner. It was Dr. Loo who served as Editor-in-Chief of JASMS during transition period from another commercial publisher to ACS Publications.
For ASMS, the onboarding and transition process was of paramount importance. "We had a lot of concern regarding this area," Ms. Watson confessed, "like we didn't know how it would go...and it went better than expected." This smooth transition proved to be a cornerstone of the partnership's success. Dr. Loo highlighted the fact that ASMS members’ familiarity with ACS Publications' article formats manuscript submission system significantly aided in this process. And ACS Publications' support extended beyond the initial onboarding. After Dr. Loo transitioned to serving on the ASMS Board of Directors, ASMS faced two unexpected editor-in-chief changes in quick succession, a situation that could have been highly disruptive. However, the unwavering support ACS Publications demonstrated throughout the process ensured that these transitions were surprisingly seamless.
Beyond the crucial transition phase, ASMS has been particularly pleased with the clarity and simplicity of their financial arrangements with ACS Publications. Ms. Watson emphasized that the recent contract renegotiation was "very straightforward and easy to understand," a stark contrast to the complex arrangements they had experienced with previous publishers. This clarity has fostered a sense of trust and mutual understanding, which is essential for a successful long-term partnership.
ACS Publications has also demonstrated a commendable level of flexibility in accommodating JASMS' unique needs. While there were some initial challenges in adapting to ACS Publications' standard editorial article types, Dr. Loo acknowledged that "in the end it has worked out and we’re in a better place for it". This willingness to find solutions and compromise has been key to overcoming potential obstacles.
When asked about the approach to standardizing article types, ACS Publications Senior Vice President and Chief Publishing Officer Sarah Tegen, Ph.D., noted that "keeping a close eye on the article types we allow in our portfolio is an important way we manage integrity and trust." She continued, "Certain article types and structures make conveying science clearer and easier to read—they carry more authority while other article types, such as those that contain an abundance of non-peer-reviewed content, may actually detract from the overall authority of the research." It’s important to strike a balance between the simple delivery of facts and adding important circumstances and stories that give those facts more complete context.
ASMS' decision to choose ACS Publications as their publishing partner was significantly influenced by ACS Publications' strong reputation for trust and integrity among the scientific community that extends beyond the content they publish—a “must have” for their society. In addition to supplying the most trusted content in science, ACS Publications is known for treating its partners (including vendors, distributors, and academic publishing partners) fairly and transparently, ensuring that contracts and agreements is clear and straightforward. This was particularly important to ASMS, as their previous publishing arrangements had been complex and challenging. The society valued ACS Publications' commitment to open communication, ethical practices, and delivering on its promises.
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Another crucial factor in ASMS' decision was the comfort and familiarity of their author community with ACS Publications. Many of ASMS' members had already published in ACS Publications' journals, such as Analytical Chemistry and Journal of Proteome Research, and were well-acquainted with their style, peer-review process, and delivery site. This familiarity minimized the learning curve for authors and ensured a smooth transition. It also fostered a sense of confidence and trust among ASMS’ authors, knowing their work would be handled by a publisher they recognized and respected.
Looking to the future, ASMS is enthusiastic about the potential for increased visibility and readership through ACS Publications' various platforms, including the potential for jointly leveraging the innovative ACS Axial blog to cover more editorial style content that would benefit the greater audience of ACS Publications readers. This forward-thinking approach to content dissemination and community engagement further solidifies ACS Publications as a proactive and valuable partner.
For societies seeking a publishing partner that prioritizes smooth transitions, clear communication, collaborative approach, and like-family treatment ACS Publications comes highly recommended by ASMS. Their experience stands as a testament to the power of a true partnership in achieving mutual success.
