2020 Florida Media Conference Postponed

With so much uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on the economy and our industry, the difficult decision has been made to postpone the 2020 Florida Media Conference until July 2021. We will send more details over the coming weeks about holding an annual membership meeting to elect our officers for 2020-2021. Please feel free to reach out to Membership Director Devon Dunkle with any questions or concerns.

2020 Charlie Awards Update

The judging of the 2020 Charlie Awards competition is now in the final stages! The Charlie Awards Gala, originally scheduled for July 24, is currently being planned to celebrate this year's winners. Additional information will be communicated to FMA members as soon as plans are finalized.

Webinar Recording Available

How Florida Magazines Are Dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic

On April 2, 2020, a roundtable of magazine publishers addressed how they are dealing with losses in advertising and changes in distribution and how they are adjusting coverage to the crisis and rolling out new digital initiatives. The panel was moderated by FMA President Anne Millage and featured Jennifer Hunt Murty, owner of Ocala Style Magazine, Jamie Rich, owner of Flamingo Magazine, Gregory Enns, owner of Indian River Magazine, and BlueToad CEO Paul DeHart, who shared results on magazine reader habits and coronavirus concerns.  READ MORE

2020 Doug Damerst Scholarship Applications Due May 1

Florida-based college students are eligible to win the prestigious Doug Damerst Award. The $1,000 cash prize, named in honor of the Florida Magazine Association’s longtime board member Doug Damerst, represents excellence in journalism and the highest levels of ethics. Submission deadline is May 1, 2020. Visit Floridamagazine.org/scholarship for more information.

We Want You: Call for Board Members

The board of directors is looking for candidates to expand our diverse group of publishers, editors, art directors and magazine industry professionals. Have you ever wanted to improve the annual conference or share ideas to expand member benefits? Here’s your chance to do it.

Submit your nominations today. You may nominate yourself or another individual.

Reminder: Renew Your FMA Membership

It's time to renew your Florida Magazine Association membership! FMA members enjoy many benefits including educational opportunities, professional development, networking events, the annual Charlie Awards, and so much more! Login to your account on the FMA website to view and pay your dues.

If you have questions, concerns, or want to better understand your membership benefits, please contact Membership Director Devon Dunkle at ddunkle@mediagenius.com or 321-283-5272.

FMA New Member Spotlight

Meet the newest members of the FMA and learn about their publications and their passion for magazine publishing.

Michelle Mitcham, Publisher, Tallahassee Woman

I want readers to take away pearls of wisdom about business, mindfulness, community engagement, health, wellness, humanity, faith, family and relationships, leadership, diversity, matters of the heart, as well as inspiration and motivation to be their best and live their best quality lives. The purpose of the magazine is to empower and lift all women. READ MORE

Stephanie Byrd, Editor-in-Chief, Viera Vision

The variety of subject matter within the magazine is always focused on providing articles based on four pillars: depth on a local subject, highlighting a local achievement, welcoming a new business to the area, and providing insite into the continued developments on the masterplan of Viera. READ MORE

John Freeman, Associate Professor of Journalism, Department of Journalism, University of Florida

Most students today seem interested in offbeat, specialty magazines or lifestyle-oriented publications as opposed to those emphasizing news. Because teaching photojournalism is my specialty, I’m trying to shift basic assignments that way. Students enjoy fashion photography, funky posed portraits, and food pictures ala Instagram. With encouragement and practice, students using mobile phones can produce fantastic results. READ MORE

Four Tips as You Focus on Digital During COVID-19

Sponsored Content :: Brought to You by BlueToad

As your team grapples to respond to COVID-19, you will probably take a hard look at your digital publishing strategy. For some, this will be a mostly new endeavor. For others, this will be an important time to re-evaluate current offerings. No matter the situation, getting digital right matters both now and in the long term. READ MORE

Rethinking Digital Editions During the Pandemic and Beyond

By Leah Wynalek, Publishing Executive  ::  April 23, 2020

Faced with shrinking ad revenue during COVID-19, magazine publishers are being forced to ask tough questions about their upcoming print issues. Some are scaling back circulation or frequency to cut costs, while others are suspending print runs altogether. In most cases, they're taking a second look at their digital editions (or lack thereof). READ MORE

Publishing During a Pandemic: Magazine Media Industry Leaders Talk to Our Own Mr. Magazine™

staff report, The University of Mississippi  ::  April 10, 2020

Professor Samir Husni, Ph.D., director of the Magazine Innovation Center and the Hederman Lecturer, has published a series of interviews with magazine and magazine media executives on how they are coping during the COVID-19 pandemic called Publishing During A Pandemic. READ MORE

With Retail Outlets Closed, Indie Magazines Band Together on Subscription Bundle Known as MagBox

By Greg Drool, FOLIO:  ::   April 23, 2020

Unlike most mass-market magazine publishers, whose print books generally depend far more on subscriptions and advertising revenue than single-copy sales, closures of newsstands and bookstores due to shelter-in-place orders have robbed many independent, niche magazine publishers of a vital distribution channel. READ MORE