Mag Bag: ASME Reveals Finalists

ASME Reveals Finalists

The America Society of Magazine Editors revealed the nominees for its annual American Magazine Awards, a ritzy gala scheduled for May 1st at New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center.

New York magazine and the New Yorker led the pack, scooping up nine nominations and 12 nominations, respectively. New York magazine once again received a nomination for Magazine of the Year, the equivalent of Oscars' "Best Film" of the magazine competition. Also receiving nominations were Vanity Fair (6), GQ (5) National Geographic (5), and three each for The Atlantic, Popular Mechanics, and T, The New York Times Style Magazine.

Among publishers, Condé Nast was out in front with 36 nominations, trailed by Time Inc. and Hearst Magazines with seven each, National Geographic Society with six, and Rodale with four.

This year marks a first for the awards, as several previously print categories are now accepting nominations from online-only publications. The development is symbolic, as online-only publications proliferate and print magazines create new digital platforms online and for mobile consumption.

advertisement

advertisement

The American Magazine Award nominations come just a few weeks after the Magazine Publishers of America handed out their own digital awards at the Magazines 24/7 Digital Conference, intended to highlight magazine initiatives in the digital space.

ABC Tells Mags to Giddy-up

The Audit Bureau of Circulations is cracking the whip, ever so politely, for magazines that participate in its Rapid Report Service, which apparently wasn't rapid enough. According to the new recommendations, weekly magazines should file initial sales and circulation data within three weeks of the on-sale data, while monthlies have up to seven weeks. That would be a substantial improvement over current posting delays of seven weeks for weeklies and 11 weeks for monthlies. The ABC Rapid Report is intended to help make print magazines competitive with new media on the Internet, which can typically report audience data much faster.

Cut and Paste: Paste Mag Gets Redesign

Paste Magazine, an independent entertainment magazine with a focus on music, art, and design, is getting a new look itself beginning with its April issue. The redesign is being handled by Metaleap Design, which has overseen the mag's design for most of its existence.

"Scrapbook," "Film Clips" and "...And Culture" sections have merged to become "Mixed Media," a "mash-up" of coverage on music, film, books, games and culture. Also, the "4 To Watch" section has been merged into the expanded "Emergent" section, dedicated to up-and-coming talent.

Cookie Unveils Moms' Product Recs

Cookie is launching a new readers' choice awards called "Word of Mom," highlighting readers' favorite products and services. Nominations will be accepted at the Cookie Web site, after which five finalists in 11 categories will be chosen for visitors to vote on at the rate of about two per week between August 12 and September 12.

Mangione Leaves Alpha

After just six months on the job, Joe Mangione is leaving Alpha Media to return to retirement, vacating the post of chief marketing officer. Mangione was hired by Alpha boss Kent Brownridge to head up print and online marketing for Maxim and Blender, purchased last year from Dennis Publishing.

Powell Out at Portfolio

Assistant Managing Editor Ann Powell is leaving Portfolio for the position of managing editor at Reader's Digest. Her departure from Portfolio follows that of Shazna Nessa, a multimedia producer who left for the AP. Also leaving the magazine is contributing editor Nancy Hass.

Euro Vanity Fair Hires Sischy, Brant

The European editions of Vanity Fair have hired Ingrid Sischy and Sandra Brant, formerly of Interview magazine, as international editors, according to publisher Conde Nast. Sichy will continue to contribute to the American edition of Vanity Fair.

Kaplan Named Digital VP for Maxim

Maxim Digital has named Matt Kaplan as vice president of digital sales, the company announced this week, giving him responsibility for Maxim.com, Blender.com, Stuffmagazine.com and various mobile properties. Also this week, Eric Alt was named deputy entertainment editor for Maxim.com.

Next story loading loading..