Atlantic Magazines Association formed in Halifax
By Adnews Staff
A new organization called the Atlantic Magazines Association has been formed in Halifax to represent the interests of magazines produced in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. According to the association, 81 magazines are produced by 54 publishers in these provinces, collectively distributing approximately 7.5 million copies annually. The association’s first activity has been a joint program with the Atlantic Journalism Awards to organize a series of workshops for professionals in the magazine industry. Jim Gourlay, co-publisher of Saltscapes magazine and publisher of Eastern Woods & Waters magazine, is the chair of the association. Sheila Blair-Reid of Metro Guide Publishing and Anne van Loon of Dvl Publishing Liverpool are its co-vice chairs. Patty Baxter of Metro Guide Publishing has been appointed secretary, while Dianne Williams of Progress magazine has been appointed treasurer. The organization’s board members include Bill Skerrett of the Atlantic Journalism Awards, Shawn Dalton of Saltscapes, Krista Hewey Ivanov of Lifestyle Nova Scotia, Dawn Chafe of Atlantic Business, Leslie McNab of Downhomer Publications and Leith Orr of Advocate Printing and Publishing. According to Gourlay, the formation of the association is “a sure sign that an industry that once struggled very badly in this part of the country has matured in professionalism and business acumen to a point where it now takes its place alongside the rest of the country.”