• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, July 28, 2006

ASBPE Announces B-to-B Laurels

Computerworld Gets Best In Show

The American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) named tech magazine weekly Computerworld the best B-to-B publication of 2006 at its awards dinner in Chicago last Thursday, where the title bested more than 100 other nominees to take its second such ASBPE recognition in the last three years. The mag's Web site also took the gold for best "overall Web publication."

According to Don Tennant, editor in chief of Computerworld, "while other publications may see investments in these areas as a threat to print, Computerworld has used this strategy to reinforce its position as IT management's leading source for news and opinion."

Meanwhile, a number of Prism Business Media (PBM) mags scooped up gold or silver individual "awards of excellence" in a variety of categories. The gold medals were as follows: Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro won three for "news analysis," "feature series" and "regular staff-written column," Electrical Wholesaling took two for "original research" and "regular department," Millimeter won two gold for best "feature article" and "computer-generated page or spread," Electrical Construction & Maintenance received one for "technical article," Fleet Owner won one for "computer generated front cover" and Video Systems took one for "best case history." American City & County received a silver for "editorial" and Ward's AutoWorld took silver for both "feature series" and "original web database." Telephony took bronze for "on-site trade show coverage" and Waste Age took bronze for "regular staff-written column."

Three titles from legal interest publisher American Legal Media (ALM) won medals as well. ALM's The American Lawyer took gold for "regular contributed column," "special section," and "original research." IP Law & Business took a silver award for "special section," and Corporate Counsel took a bronze for "news section."

The awards were followed this Monday by an announcement from industry organization American Business Media (ABM) that May ad page volume in the business press had declined 1.04 percent from May 2005. ABM also announced that trade show revenues among publishers reporting to the ABM rose to $2.74 billion in the first quarter--a 1.4 percent increase over $2.59 billion in 2005. The ABM estimated that combined print advertising and trade show revenues totaled $5.3 billion for the quarter, a 1 percent gain over 2005.

New Quarterly Craft, from Makers of Make

The publishers of Make--source of do-it-yourself instruction and inspiration for the handy but whimsical crowd--announced the upcoming launch of a new quarterly, Craft, which will delve into the traditionally female world of American handicraft. The first issue of the magazine-book hybrid will hit newsstands in October 2006 with a price of $14.99.

Established crafts title publishers like Martha Stewart Living Optimedia (MSLO) will doubtless guard the $14 billion-a-year market closely, so Craft plans to differentiate itself by "also incorporating technology, creative recycling, innovative materials and processes," according to editor Carla Sinclair. Like Make, she also promised a healthy amount of "irony, irreverence and attitude." Among the first issue's projects: how to make a programmable LED tank top, embroidered skateboards, boot upgrades through knitting, and felted iPod holders.

With its clear focus on the youth market, Craft is more evidence that--contrary to conventional wisdom--young American women are still interested in crafts. Their appeal is broad: from anarchist punks knitting on the Haight, to expectant first-time mothers, to the merely bored, all can transform themselves into artisans. Ashley Paige, author of "Sexy Little Knits," offered this opinion on their continuing popularity in a Web interview with LoveToKnowCrafts.com: "People need some form of relaxation during these hard times."

Don't Eat the Paste: There's a DVD in There

Dodge is sponsoring a DVD insert in the August issue of Paste magazine, hitting the newsstands August 2nd, to promote the new 2007 Dodge Caliber. In giving away free DVDs with its magazines, Paste joins publishers like Future US Inc., some of whose titles have included DVDs. The Paste DVD, titled "Dodge Caliber Music Tour of America," includes footage and videos of The Pixies, Al Green, Josh Ritter, and The Shins. The musical content shares space with Dodge commercials and Dodge-branded content, including music videos and short films.

Saveur Names James Oseland Editor in Chief

World Publications CEO announced this week that James Oseland had been promoted to editor in chief of Saveur, the popular epicurean publication. Oseland will replace Colman Andrews, who is leaving the company, and moves into the spot from his previous role as executive editor. According to World Publications CEO Terry Snow, he will look to Oseland to "expand the Saveur brand to reach new consumers and advertisers." Oseland has contributed to the magazine for nearly a decade.

Stephanie Izarek Appointed Editor in Chief of Scholastic Parent & Child

Parenting mag Scholastic Parent & Child announced this week that Stephanie Izarek would become its editor in chief after serving as executive editor for four years. Leading the magazine, which addresses health and development for pre-teens, Izarek will be responsible for editorial and Web content, including a makeover to help appeal to young parents. Before joining Scholastic Parent & Child, Izarek served as the executive editor of PC Magazine.