Redesigned foodie magazine reaches out to the Northwest’s growing culinary culture

NORTHWEST PALATE magazine and its website have been in the process of a makeover, hoping to attract a younger audience, increase paid subscriptions and appeal to the region’s growing, vibrant culinary culture.  In addition, increasing competition from online verticals that provide similar content pushed the magazine to reach out to the under-45 set.

The print edition recently debuted a redesign, changing its look by revamping the nameplate, adding more visuals, full-page photos and an updated typeface.  Articles and profiles cover the regional food, dining, cooking, wine, spirits, brews and people involved in the area’s cuisine and beverages.  Coverage extends throughout the Northwest, encompassing Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia.

A retooled website still is under construction, and should be unveiled in early July.  However, visitors to the current website can find articles, upcoming events, links to editorial blogs and access to back issues of the magazine.

The changes coincide with the bi-monthly’s 25th anniversary.  Publisher Cole Danehower says the changes reflect, “how our audience is viewing themselves.  The culinary culture in the Northwest has attracted a lot of national and international attention.”

Currently, the magazine has a total circulation of 10,000 copies, with paid subscriptions accounting for half of those.  Editor Peter Szymczak can be reached at peter@nwpalate.com. View the website at http://www.nwpalate.com.

Breaking news: New biweekly Canadian sports mag to launch

SPORTSNET, a Canadian sports magazine, will launch in the fall covering major pro leagues and top amateur games.

It will tell the stories that fuel the passions of millions of Canadians who cram into arenas and stadiums across the country, and who make sure they’re home in time to watch the big game.  The magazine will focus on the major professional leagues and the premier amateur events, with particular focus on the teams and stars that Canadians care most about.

Published by Rogers Media, the biweekly will build on the existing Sportsnet brand, joining the sports news website SPORTSNET.CA, radio stations in Calgary and Toronto, and several cable television channels throughout Canada.

It will feature home-grown content produced by a soon-to-be-assembled team of about 35 Canadian writers, editors and photojournalists, Rogers reports.  Sportsnet magazine will be published 26 times a year and will be available on newsstands and by subscription.  Rogers says it will launch with a circulation of 100,000 copies.

Another new online shelter pub launches…another one?

ENTRA magazine, the fourth – or fifth – addition to the online shelter pub market, debuted with the May/June issue.  Conceived and produced by a staff of former print magazine editors and art directors, the high-end digital publication will be available only by paid subscription, although this first issue is free.

Those, who dig into the 280-page inaugural issue, will find private residences in exotic domestic and international locales.  The photo layouts and slide shows are accompanied by short, easy-to-read stories.  Videos allow designers and architects to speak directly about their projects.  Entra also covers topics such as contemporary design, humanitarian and preservation issues, antiques, market trends and books.  Other pieces take readers to showrooms, artists’ studios, hotels and exhibitions.

Editors Lisa Bingham and Maile Pingel can be contacted at editors@entramagazine.com. View the magazine by visiting http://www.entramagazine.com.

It’s the still the economy, as Time launches a personal finance website

It’s the still the economy, as Time launches a personal finance website

TIME magazine has launched MoneyLand, a new comprehensive personal finance website, and an extension of time.com.

The site, which went live on June 1, offers news and analyses of financial hot topics including investments, consumer issues, banking, debt, real estate, health care, the psychology of money, entrepreneurship and education funding.  Visitors also will find more in-depth articles involving investigations, stories and guides.

At a time when the economy is still top-of-mind for most Americans, the magazine said it is “fitting that Time is dedicating more bandwidth to the issue of who we are economically.”  It is the latest entry into the increasing field of online personal finance sites, such as SmartMoney.com.

Editor Scott Medintz, scott_medintz@timemagazine.com, is leading the new online venture, applying his experience as a former senior editor at MONEY magazine.  Find Moneyland at http://moneyland.time.com.

A multi-platform relaunch tunes up Guitar World magazine

GUITAR WORLD has debuted a multi-platform relaunch for its print edition and website, with a new app, Guitar World Mobile, set for release later this month.

The magazine expanded to a larger format, with larger text and photos for easier reading. Each issue includes a pullout collectible poster, but the accompanying CD-ROM has been discontinued. Editor-in-Chief Brad Tolinski explained it had become limiting and “environmentally irresponsible.” All digital content now has been shifted to the redesigned website.

Website visitors will find a new full-screen, high-definition format, with longer features and more content than Guitar World could place on CDs. The site will offer interactive tools and entertainment such as guitar lessons, playing tips, music shows, star interviews, reviews and new musician and industry blogs,

Contact managing editor Jeff Kitts at jeffkitts@aol.com. View the magazine’s website at www.guitarworld.com.

The Time Out brand is expanding

TIME OUT NEW YORK magazine’s new parent plans to roll out Time Out web sites to a dozen US cities, through its new parent company, Time Out Group.

British-based Oakley Capital Investments recently bought a controlling interest in the publication, after acquiring the London edition earlier from founder Tony Elliott in 2010.  Some staff in the New York office will lose their jobs as of June 15.

Time Out New York has published a print edition since 1995.

Eating and buying local: A new magazine explores local food sources as well as cuisine

EDIBLE INDY, a new quarterly covering the local food culture in and around Indianapolis, debuted in early June. Published by Edible Communities Inc., the magazine explores the area’s food economy and sustainable food sources, as well as the cuisine.

The goal of the magazine is to “connect consumers with family farmers, growers, chefs and food artisans of all kinds,” and is based on the belief that people care about where their food comes from. Articles include seasonal features, food traditions, profiles of local food artisans and growers, recipes and events.

This latest local publication is one of more than 60 produced by Edible Communities throughout North America. Helen Workman, helen@edibleindy.com, is editor-in-chief for the magazine. A digital edition of Edible Indy is available at the website, http://www.ediblecommunities.com/indy.

New magazine for the posh Hamptons debuts as the summer get-away season begins

PLUM HAMPTONS magazine launched during the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer.  It’s fitting for a glossy covering one of the most storied summer vacation spots in America.

Publisher Mark Drucker says he wants to give people “an intelligent read.”  Tailored to the exclusive community and unique atmosphere in the Hamptons, the new publication features local arts and artists, profiles of the area’s famous creative talents, interviews, events, food, philanthropy, design, sports and more.  In a departure from most luxury lifestyle titles, Plum Hamptons contains an entire literary section called Hamptons Review.  Readers will find short stories, essays and a one-act play, by notable writers, who have a history in the region.

This is the second magazine produced by Plum TV, following the spring debut of PLUM MIAMI magazine.  A third, PLUM ASPEN, is planned for winter.  Nina L. Combs, ncombs@plumtv.com, is the deputy editor.  Read or download the magazine online at www.plumhamptonsmagazine.com.

Arts and culture magazine launches with a legendary name

O. HENRY magazine has a lot to live up to, with a name borrowed from one of America’s most famous short-story writers. Launching in July, the arts, culture and lifestyle publication will serve the community in and around Greensboro, NC, O. Henry’s birthplace.

Readers can expect to see features on the arts, local homes and gardens, regional food and wine, and profiles of notable residents, who are making a difference. In keeping with its literary-minded title, the magazine also will include the best in short fiction, poetry and essays from local writers.

The new bi-monthly is a sister publication to PINESTRAW magazine, and will have an initial circulation of 20,000, distributed without charge to selected outlets. Editor Jim Dodson, jim@ohenrymag.com is leading the magazine. For more information visit www.ohenrymag.com.

Holistic living magazine debuts a new website with expanded content

SPIRIT OF CHANGE, a regional quarterly focused on holistic health and living, has launched a new interactive website.

In addition to 10 years of the magazine’s archives, visitors can find fresh content on alternative medicine, food and cooking, green living, mind and spirit, politics and community. A searchable database offers more than 3000 listings for holistic practitioners, products and services in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Other features include book and music reviews, original columns and feng shui advice.

In its 25th year of publishing, the print magazine distributes 55,000 copies throughout New England. Upcoming editorial themes and writer’s guidelines are available at the new website, http://www.spiritofchange.org. Contact editor Carol Bedrosian by emailing editor@spiritofchange.org