Katie Shapiro, who formerly handled public relations for Denver Magazine before it was acquired by 5280, has officially launched Katie Shapiro Media, a boutique agency that focuses on freelance writing, public relations and events. Clients include SOL (The Store of Lingerie) in Cherry Creek, 303 magazine, Aspen Film, and Reel Social Club.
Category: Denver Magazine
Behind-the-Scenes Look at 5280’s Redesign
After feasting on the remains of Denver Magazine, 5280 celebrated by redesigning the magazine and creating a new logo. Art Director Dave McKenna and Deputy Editor Geoff Van Dyke narrate a behind-the-scenes video that shows the decisions involved in the redesign.
5280 Acquires, Shuts Down Denver Magazine
Apparently I wasn’t the only one dumbfounded impressed by Denver Magazine’s ability to thrive during an economic downturn. 5280 announced today it has acquired the assets of the upstart magazine, which will cease publication immediately.
5280 Acquires Key Assets from Luxury Media Group; Denver Magazine to Cease Publication
Denver, Colo., April 19, 2011-5280 Publishing, Inc. today announced that it has acquired key assets from Luxury Media Group, Inc., licensor ofDenver Magazine’s intellectual property. Among the intellectual property transferred to 5280 are the Federal trademark of the name Denver Magazine; several internet domain names, including denvermagazine.com; and Denver Magazine’s Twitter account and Facebook pages. Simultaneously, Denver Magazine announced that it was ceasing publication, effective immediately.
Denver Magazine was first published in February 2008. During its three-and-a-half year run, the magazine scored an exclusive interview with then-candidate Barack Obama and formed numerous strategic partnerships with prominent local organizations.
“Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of rival magazines come and go in Denver,” said Daniel Brogan, 5280 Magazine’s founder, editor, and publisher. “None have lasted as long or made as big of a splash as Denver Magazine. You have to respect the hard work and ambition that Michael Ledwitz and his team brought to the table.”
“As CEO, publisher and editor in chief of Denver Magazine, I was able to really understand what makes this city tick and have enjoyed every moment of it. I look forward to 5280 continuing to publish a great city magazine for the residents and visitors of Denver,” said Denver Magazine founder, Michael Ledwitz.
5280 will not be assuming any of Denver Magazine’s liabilities or obligations. Under the terms of the transaction, neither 5280 nor Denver Magazine will be releasing any additional information regarding this agreement.
About 5280
Founded in 1993, 5280 is the largest local magazine in Colorado, with a total distribution in excess of 85,000. A finalist for four National Magazine Awards, 5280 was recently named one of the five best city magazines in America by the City and Regional Magazine Association.
Denver Magazine Announces Largest Press Run Ever
Denver Magazine continues to mock my prediction that it would only last six issues, this time by announcing its largest ever press run of 50,000 copies for its January 2011 issue.
DFS Launches Support Group for Young Professionals
Denver Magazine PR director Katie Shapiro has co-founded Reel Social Club, a support organization for the Denver Film Society that targets young professionals in their 20s and 30s. The club “will introduce fresh audiences to the DFS and help foster an appreciation of film culture through exclusive parties, screenings and weekend trips.”
Reel Social Club will celebrate its official launch on Friday, July 16, at Casselman’s Bar & Venue (2620 Walnut Street). Featuring a private performance by Denver rock band Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, members will gain free admission and enjoy a sponsored bar. General admission tickets for non-members are available for $15 at http://www.casselmansdenver.com.
Denver Magazine Appoints Restaurant Critic
Denver Magazine has named Gretchen Kurtz as its restaurant critic. She will write the magazine’s “First Bite” section, reviewing a different, recently opened dining establishment each month. Kurtz, who attended the Institute of Culinary Education, has previously written for The New York Times, 5280 and the Denver Post.
Denver Magazine Names Associate Editor
Denver Magazine has named Nicole Frehsée associate editor. Frehsée formerly was an assistant editor at Rolling Stone, where she interviewed musicians ranging from Yoko Ono and 50 Cent to Kings of Leon and The Jonas Brothers. She also was a frequent television correspondent for Rolling Stone, appearing on CNN, Entertainment Tonight, E! and Fox Business.
Denver Magazine Names Brugeman Food Editor
Denver Magazine has named former contributing editor Stacey Brugeman food editor. In her new role, Brugeman will manage the magazine’s “Savor” section, as well as other food and drink content.
Are There Any Male News Anchors in Denver?
After seeing the public relations bonanza that Denver Magazine garnered with its Fox31 news “skankors” cover photo, Colorado View magazine called in a couple of Photoshop experts for its inaugural cover. Michael Roberts at Westword has the background. In the meantime, don’t hold your breath waiting for that Ron-Zappolo-and-Mike-Landess-in-Speedos covershot.
Cover Shot Coverage Continues for Denver Magazine
On the heels of Denver Magazine’s controversial cover shot of Fox31 anchors Libby Weaver and Natalie Tysdal, the Denver Post profiles the magazine’s CEO, publisher and editor Michael Ledwitz.
Denver Magazine’s PR Win of the Week
Denver Magazine has scored this week’s PR Win of the Week. Magazine covers are all about capturing attention, and Denver Magazine’s cover shot of Fox31 anchors Libby Weaver and Natalie Tysdal has been the talk of the town this week. Westword offers Photoshopped versions of the cover featuring various Denver duos, and Joanne Ostrow at the Denver Post even weighed in on it this morning.
Westword: Fox31 Stars ‘Go from Anchors to Skank-ers’
When 303 Magazine announced its recent “Gentleman’s Issue” featuring nude local marketing directors, I wrote it off as the desperate last gasp of a magazine being squeezed to death by 5280 and Denver Magazine. But now Denver Magazine has followed suit with its own “Men’s Issue,” and Michael Roberts at Westword has called out Fox31 GM Dennis Leonard for allowing anchors Libby Weaver and Natalie Tysdal to transform themselves from “anchors to skank-ers” for the cover photo shoot.
Denver Magazine Appoints Associate Editor
Former Rocky reporter Jeff Kass has been named associate editor of Denver Magazine.
Denver Magazine Publisher Retains Aiello
The civil suit between Denver Magazine and its former editor, Dahlia Weinstein, is moving forward, and the magazine’s publisher has retained Wendy Aiello as his spokesperson. Penny Parker at the Denver Post has the details.
CBS4, Denver Magazine Team Up
Denver Magazine announced that it has formalized a relationship with CBS4 to jointly cover local entertainment stories and charitable events. As part of the agreement, CBS4 critic at large Greg Moody will contribute a regular column to the magazine, and CBS4 will carry a segment the last Friday of each month “that gives viewers a sneak peek of one of the stories in the new issue of Denver Magazine.”
5280 Layoffs May Open a Door for Denver Magazine
And the media layoffs continue. 5280 publisher Dan Brogan confirmed in a blog post what we had been hearing for a couple of weeks – that two staffers were let go due to softening ad sales. But the layoff of the magazine’s director of digital media because “we no longer have the luxury of living in the future” belies an interesting – and potentially dangerous – strategy for weathering the economic downturn. With Denver Magazine representing a more sustained threat than 5280 staffers originally anticipated (compare their recent page counts), will the retreat give Denver Magazine a greater opportunity to establish a relationship with younger audiences that expect a compelling online presence?
Denver Magazine Proves Us Wrong
We put the over/under on Denver Magazine at six issues, and Jay Daignault reminds us that it is now at seven issues and counting. After the collapse of Shine, we were skeptical about Denver Magazine’s chances, and while there have been some turbulent times (replacing Dahlia Jean Weinstein as editor), there have been some good times as well (snagging the exclusive Barack and Michelle Obama interview leading up to the DNC). Here’s hoping that Denver Magazine rides out the economic downturn and becomes the yang to 5280‘s yin. Click here if you want to subscribe.
Denver Magazine Names New Soon-to-Be-Former Managing Editor
Denver Magazine has named former Aspen Magazine editor Dana Butler as managing editor, replacing Dahlia Jean Weinstein (who technically was editor) after just three issues.
Turmoil at Denver Magazine?
There’s intrigue at Denver Magazine after it replaced its editor today after just its third issue (halfway to our over/under of six issues before folding). It is not clear whether editor Dahlia Jean Weinstein jumped or was pushed, but it is clear that the magazine’s founder and publisher, Michael Ledwitz, will assume editor duties and plans to hire a managing editor.
Update: Bill Husted has some additional details. Weinstein says she was fired, and that she will be talking with an attorney.
5280 Says ‘Screw You’ to Publishing Upstarts
Amid all the talk of upstarts Denver Magazine and Denver Life, and the now-defunct Shine, 5280 is trying to remind Denverites who the 800-pound gorilla is by announcing its biggest press run ever. The mag will print 100,000 copies of its March issue (“Best Restaurants”) in anticipation of heavy newsstand sales.
5280 vs. Denver Magazine vs. Colorado Expression
Aldo Svaldi at the Denver Post covers the high-end Denver-area magazine battlefield.
It Turns Out the Gelatto Business Is Not Like Publishing …
If you are waiting to hear back from that freelancer for Shine magazine, don’t bother. It has folded after a single issue. Better start pitching 5280 again, or, if you’re feeling lucky, the trendy new Denver Magazine. And for those bettors out there, Denver PR Blog has set the over/under on Denver Magazine at six issues.
Denver Public Relations Blog 