Member News

Paid circulation of Orange Coast (www.orangecoastmagazine.com) increased by 20% in September. The magazine celebrated its 30th anniversary in February (1974-2004).

Total magazine rate-card-reported advertising revenue for November closed at $2,309,465,163 an increase of +11.5% compared to November 2003, according to Publishers Information Bureau (www.magazine.org/pib). Ad pages totaled 24,995.77, up +3.8% from 2003. November marks the seventh month of advertising growth. Year-to-date, rate-card-reported revenue closed at $19,389,283,146, an increase of +10.5%, with ad pages totaling 213,110.05, registering a +3.1% gain.

Gulfshore Media, Inc. - publisher of Sarasota, Gulfshore Life and other regional titles - was recently bought for an undisclosed amount by Malibu, CA-based CurtCo Publishing, owners of Robb Report, a unique publication known worldwide as the premier print resource for affluent readers. The company's other titles include Worth magazine, ShowBoats International, Vacation Homes and more. Gulfshore Media Chairman and Founder Dan Denton and President and Group Publisher Jimmy Dean, with their staff of more than 60, will join CurtCo Media and continue in their current positions. More details are posted at www.curtco.com/press/press_10_04_04.html.

Remember that Friday, Dec. 31 is the deadline for Promotion Exchange Program (PEP) material to be at CRMA offices. For this exchange, please submit 55 copies of holiday promotions (advertising specials, circulation campaigns, gift subscription offers, etc.) to CRMA, Attn: PEP, 4929 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 428, Los Angeles, CA 90010. If you don't have any of the requested material, send 55 copies of something else (i.e., forms, editorial calendar, etc.) to be included. Participating in these exchanges is a great way to see what others are doing and to "borrow" neat ideas for your own use. But, you only get a package if you have submitted something for the exchange! Questions? E-mail Barton Ortberg (bdortberg@aol.com).

Las Vegas Life (along with Greenspun Media Group's Vegas magazine and newly launched Las Vegas Life Home & Design) recently joined with the Centofante Group to maximize newsstand exposure and profits. Alan Centofante, who works with several CRMA titles, assessed operations in Las Vegas and now is working with Publisher Pat Kelly to boost circulation, which has remained constant during the magazine's seven years. Centofante also would like members to know that the fourth annual Periodical & Book Association of America West will be held Jan. 27, 2005 in San Francisco. Topics on the single-copy industry will be presented. Founded in 1965, PBAA is a nonprofit organization for those working in this field. The event will be held in conjunction with the Independent Press Association's Annual Convention.

The US Senate recently passed S. 2603, legislation to allow fax communications on commercial matters if there is an "established business relationship." The US House of Representatives passed a similar bill earlier this year. In January, efforts fighting this "Do not Fax Rule" will start again once the new, 109th Congress is in session. The Senate-passed legislation included an amendment that was objectionable to the key members of the House with jurisdiction over this matter. Therefore, the House and Senate could not agree and the legislation died in conference committee. The objectionable amendment establishes a Federal Commission on Boxing, a pet project of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. The FCC has agreed to delay implementation of the new fax rule until July 1, 2005 (versus the original date of Jan. 1, 2005). There are indications that the legislation will get passed again and sooner rather than later. CRMA will keep members apprised of developments.

In the November/December issue, Publisher Kristen K. Tucker wrote the Editor's Letter about how Evansville Living is embroiled in a legal battle with a company operating a website called evansvillemagazine.com. Readers call and come into the magazine (which is www.evansvilleliving.com) responding to offers made by this company. First made aware of this problem two years ago, Tucker Publishing Group hopes to resolve it soon.

Check out www.citymag.org/members/commissionboost.pdf to find out how you can boost your commission income by selling ads in multiple publications through the City and Regional Magazine Network. Also see the CRMN Update in this issue.

Still learning the business and constantly striving to make the magazine better, Fresno grew from four people to 14 full-time employees in 2004.

Deborah Wyatt Fellows, editor in chief of Traverse, has been traveling around Michigan for a couple months meeting readers as she autographs her book, Reflections of a Life Up North.

Please send your news anytime to bdortberg@aol.com.