Atlantic Media’s business news site is now two years old

They said it wouldn’t work – the digital-only business news publication of the Atlantic Media Company, called Quartz. But it’s now two years old and boasted 2 million monthly visitors in April 2013 and is now averaging close to 5 million a month; 42% of which come from outside the US.
It targets an audience of “global business leaders – digitally savvy, post-national executives, who seek information that will help them better navigate the new global economy.”

But what bothered the pundits from the start were new ideas, such as the absence of the traditional beats. Instead, Quartz features “obsessions,” i.e. “the patterns, trends and seismic shifts that are shaping the world our readers live in. ‘Financial markets’ is a beat, but ‘the financial crisis’ is a phenomenon. ‘The environment’ is a beat, but ‘climate change, is a phenomenon.” These phenomena are called “obsessions.

The editorial offices are located in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood and Kevin Delaney, kdelaney@qz.com, @kevinjdelaney, is the Editor-in-Chief.

Freelance writers will get professional news in new PWAC publication

“The Current” is a new ‘news brief publication’ by The Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC.)

It will launch July 24 and will be sent by email to over 600 subscribing freelance writers every Thursday. “We search the Internet and find all relevant news stories applicable for freelance writers that are trending, such as self publishing and copyright law, and we will submit those articles to PWAC [for approval],” said Tim Tsafaridis of B2B digital marketing company MultiView, The Current’s Publication Manager. PWAC will also review articles from members…

Magazine to enhance commercial airline travel has launched

Airline Passenger Experience magazine from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) is a new publication covering all aspects of the airline passenger experience.

The editorial covers inflight entertainment, catering, lounges, communications and technology, the latest industry trends and issues, perspective and insight on news and developments, as well as all association activities, events and programs. The magazine is meant to provide relevant industry information while generating greater industry awareness of and support for APEX.

It is custom-published by Canada-based Spafax and editor is Terri Potratz, tpotratz@spafax.com.

Regional magazine celebrates good food and good company

Good Company is both a local magazine and one dedicated to people – especially women – and food. It is a bi-annual food journal “built to inspire and empower you to cook. At its core, it’s about the company you keep.”

The editorial highlights people, tools and seasonal, sustainable ingredients in luscious photography on high quality stock and printed in the US with vegetable oil-based inks, no VOC emissions, and wind supported power.

It is distributed in the Otter Tail, Grant and Wilkin counties, Minnesota, and is headquartered in Fergus Falls, MN. For submissions contact Connie Knapp, news@ingoodcompanyff.com

International horse sports are chronicled in new Canadian magazine

Horse Sport International magazine reports on the news, politics and people that shape the international equestrian community.

The editorial strives to feature high-profile interviews, thought-provoking features from the most engaging people, and notable results from the world’s most important competitions.

The Aurora (Greater Toronto,) ON-based title is published 8 times per year by American Horse Publications. The print and digital magazines accept freelance writing and photography submissions. Editor is Pamela Young, HorseSportInternational@gmail.com

Nikki Finke is back on the Hollywood beat

Celebrity journalist and blogger Nikki Finke left Deadline Hollywood, the gossip blog she founded and built into a powerhouse, after a blow-up with the financial backer.

After being silenced for seven months due to a non-compete clause in her contract, she has launched a new blog under her own name, www.NikkiFinke.com. But if you want to check it out, be aware that her first post includes “…my new website is not for the easily offended or ridiculously naïve…” and “…I don’t give a s–t who comes here or if the site gets traffic or if TPTB ever advertise…”

Since Nikki doesn’t detail her plans it isn’t possible to forecast any opportunities for writers, but her tipline is operating for intrepid PR practitioners.

ForbesLife gets its own living quarters on the Internet

ForbesLife, the service magazine for the luxury market, is a lifestyle magazine for affluent Forbes readers. However, it has never had its own home on the Internet but has lodged as a poor relative on the Forbes main website at http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife.

But on Sep 2, the magazine will have its own home, ForbesLife.com, and will publish daily features on men’s and women’s fashion, watches and jewelry, automobiles and boats, real estate and luxury homes, fine dining and drinks, arts and culture, as well as life’s other indulgences. “What makes ForbesLife.com so exciting is that it will allow us to broaden our coverage of women’s fashion, jewelry, watches and beauty,” said Editor Michael Solomon, msolomon@forbes.com, @Mister_Solomon.

Also on Sep 2, a native app and a redesigned print magazine will be launched. ForbesLife is included in our media directory, the Wooden Horse Media Database.

Cooking star Paula Deen is re-emerging with Internet video network

Food personality Paula Deen, who became embroiled in a highly publicized racial controversy last year and lost all of her endorsements and her Food Network TV show, is planning a come-back, but this time online.

Using her website, www.pauladeen.com, as the portal, Deen will serve up a mix of exclusive, subscriber-based videos taped in front of an audience in a Georgia-based production studio. As with her TV show, Ms. Deen and guests will talk and cook food. ‘The Queen of Southern Cuisine’ will “provide her signature Southern dishes and simple, healthy meals in a fun, unscripted format on a daily basis with all-new recipes, episodes and cooking tools,” the website states.

The effort is offered by Paula Deen Ventures and Deen is the majority owner. It is backed by Phoenix, AZ-based Najafi Cos and with Steven Nanula as CEO.

Production of the videos has reportedly already started for a September launch.

Current subscribers will now receive two diabetes magazines for the price of one

Diabetes Self-Management and Diabetes Cooking will merge after both were acquired by Boston, MA-based publisher Madavor Media earlier this year.

“Diabetes Self-Management’s editorial focus provides practical information, focusing on the day-to-day and long-term aspects of diabetes in a positive and upbeat style. It provides readers with news, facts and advice that help them take an active role in learning to live a happier and healthier life with diabetes,” Group Publisher Susan Fitzgerald said in a statement. “Diabetic Cooking is the first and only magazine whose editorial mission is to provide readers with a selection of nutritious recipes that are easy to prepare and diabetes-friendly with full-color photography.”

Distribution includes the printed magazine, digital editions, and a website. Ingrid Strauch, ingrids@rapaportpublishing.com, is editor. Writer’s Guidelines are available on the website. Richard Boland, rboland@rapaportpublishing.com, is Art Director.

New travel magazine highlights food

Food Traveler magazine is packed with information on exquisite food and travel destinations in the United States and abroad.

The bi-annual features places that are accessible to most travelers, and destinations that offer a unique culinary experience. Stories strive to capture the essence of the culinary destination, equip readers with useful information, and allow the readers to follow in the writer’s footsteps.

The title is published by Tampa, FL-based David-Jacobs Publishing Group and is distributed nationally via newsstands, book stores, grocery stores, airports and is available in waiting rooms throughout the US. Joshua Wattam, info@davidJacobspg.com, is the editor and writer’s guidelines are available online.