The Front Porch

Name of Magazine: The Front Porch

Editor in Chief: Savannah Reams

Published Since: July 2019

Circulation: 2,500

Target Audience: Residents and visitors in the North Florida-South Georgia area

Frequency: Quarterly

Website: www.greenepublishing.com

What do you want readers to take away from The Front Porch?

We hope that our readers learn about the fascinating people and places that make up the rural North Florida-South Georgia region. There are so many “hidden gems” that we are excited to uncover and so many trailblazers whose stories are yet to be told.

What is your vision for The Front Porch over the next five years?

We hope to grow our audience; thus, sharing thought-provoking and inspiring content to readers near and far.

What was The Front Porch’s best article of 2019?

While we published many fantastic articles in 2019, our best is possibly “Live like Lucile,” written by staff writer Mickey Starling. The article is featured in our introductory issue. It was our first occasion to tell the story of an individual who, otherwise, may not have received attention. We were pleased with the opportunity to share the story of Lucile Day, who remains a community advocate and continues to volunteer at age 85. After hearing much positive feedback, we feel we inspired readers who needed an extra push to overcome their own struggles and become the best version of themselves.

Best cover of 2019?

Our best cover would have to be our fall issue that was released in October. The cover features Dr. Jerry Padrta, Madison County Memorial Hospital’s new surgeon. His arrival meant a new era for the struggling county that, for the first time, would have its own surgeon and a new surgical suite, easing the fear and anxiety that comes from lack of access to health care. When we held the photoshoot for this feature, the surgical suite had yet to be completed, so we had to make some creative decisions. Our graphic design team placed Dr. Padrta in front of an abstract background that depicts motion. We wanted to convey the movement and “fast-paced” environment of an emergency room while Dr. Padrta remained the focus of the cover — calm, cool, and ready for anything.

Savannah Reams

What is the biggest publishing challenge you currently face?

The biggest challenge we face is growing in size and circulation. While we have seen growth every issue — in advertisements, readers, and even the size of our magazine — we still consider this our biggest challenge and continuously look for ways to improve and expand.

Why did you decide to join the Florida Magazine Association?

We want to meet others in the industry who know their stuff — people with whom we can share ideas and learn as we work to build our newest publication and better serve the residents in our area. Greene Publishing, Inc. is a newspaper publishing company at heart. Magazines are new territory for us, and we have so much to learn. We can’t wait to begin our journey with the Florida Magazine Association!

The sixth annual Business Information & Media Summit (BIMS), Nov. 11- 13, 2019, in Hollywood Beach, FL, is hosted by Connectiv—the Business Information Association and SIPA (Specialized Information Publishers Association). Featuring 78 industry leaders and three days of 45 interactive sessions, BIMS is the premier event addressing the full scope of media industry issues and opportunities. Top-level executives from brands such as Inc. Media, Financial Times, Harvard Business Review and many more will share leading edge strategies and best practices on taking control of audience and product data, the new advertising and marketing services blueprint, reinventing customer experiences in and more.

The conference includes five dedicated tracks including:

• Advertising & Marketing Services
• C-Level Strategy
• Data Strategy & Monetization
• New Models for Sales and Marketing
• Onboarding, Engagement and Retention

See the full program here. As a member of the Florida Magazine Association, we’re offering you a special register rate of $795. Register today using this link and use code FLA.

Is your sales staff in a slump? Do you find it difficult to find ways to light a fire within your sales staff members to achieve the best revenue for your magazine?

Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 1:00 pm, the Florida Magazine Association (FMA) is presenting the first in a series of informational and educational webinars that will take place throughout the coming year. The speaker is international media consultant Peter Lamb, who was one of the most popular speakers at this year’s Florida Media Conference in St. Petersburg. Lamb is a former print media salesman whose success led him to create a media consulting firm. Based in Wellington, Fla., he consults with and coaches newspaper and magazine staffs globally.

Lamb’s presentation will focus on tools advertising managers can use to motivate their staff. Lamb will discuss ways coaching, oversight, contests, goals, bonuses and individual personal rewards can motivate your sales team.

The webinar series is just one of many FMA member benefits. The webinar is free to members and $50 for nonmembers.

Instructions to join the webinar will be sent after you have registered.

Register now

What: The Florida Magazine Association honors the life and career of Doug Damerst by awarding a $1,000 cash prize to an exceptional student majoring in journalism or communications at a four-year, Florida-based college.

Submission guidelines: Student must submit a portfolio of three (3) articles that showcases his/her journalism work, an official transcript from the university in attendance, a resume, letter of recommendation and an introduction letter that states why he/she is passionate about the field of journalism.

To submit your application: coming soon!

Submission deadline: May 10, 2019

About Doug Damerst: During his 10 years as editor-in-chief, Doug Damerst set an award-winning standard for the Orlando-based publication of the Florida Association of Realtors—no surprise given the excellence that distinguished each adventure in a communications career that spanned four decades. Whether working as a freelance travel columnist, public relations manager or managing director of communications (the latter, during a 12-year stint with AAA National), Doug brought an enthusiasm and curiosity matched only by an uncanny ability to see the big picture while grasping the smallest details. As a trailblazer in new media methods and technologies, he never lost sight of the importance of editorial integrity and getting the facts straight. Doug Damerst was an inspiration to those who knew and worked with him, and a model for all journalists to celebrate.

For additional information—or to learn how to become more involved in FMA (it’s no cost for college students to officially join the organization and tap into its many benefits)—call FMA offices at 321-283-5257 or email info@floridamagazine.org.

Orlando, Florida – The Florida Magazine Association (FMA) presented 234 Charlie Awards for writing, design, website, advertising and overall excellence to Florida-based magazines at a ceremony on Friday, August 10, 2018 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. FMA judges selected Gulfshore Life magazine, based in Naples, Florida, for the top honor of Magazine of the Year. Held in front of nearly 150 guests, the awards ceremony took place at the Florida Media Conference.

FMA magazine awards began in 1957. Winners earn bronze, silver and Charlie awards, with the first-place Charlie award named in honor of the late Charles G. Wellborn (1925-2002), a professor of journalism and communications at the University of Florida and longtime FMA volunteer leader.

Sarasota Magazine, based in Tampa, Florida, garnered the most awards this year with 17, followed by Lifestyle Magazine-Las Olas and Orlando Magazine, each with 11.

“This year’s Charlie Award winners clearly show the continuing evolution of publishing,” says FMA President Anne Millage, editor in chief of Internal Auditor magazine. “Today’s strongest publishers know the best way to deliver content tailored to their audiences—be it print, digital only or both. FMA publications are embracing change and adapting to evolving reader demands.”

More than 500 entries were submitted for the 2018 judging by more than 90 Florida magazines. Magazine industry experts from across the country, many of them journalism professors, judged the entries. The 13 judges were all chosen from outside the state to avoid conflict of interest.

Visit the FloridaMediaContests.com website for complete contest winner’s information including the final list of winners, award presentation, and more!

Make sure you don’t miss out on any information about next year’s contest! Sign up for our Charlie Awards email list!

In order to provide FMA members with expanded benefits and a more robust convention, on January 1, 2017, the Florida Magazine Association (FMA) began a new partnership with the Florida Press Service. (more…)

The Charlie Award winners will be announced at a banquet on Friday night during the 2017 Florida Media Conference being held Aug. 10-11 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. The entry period is Mar. 1-Apr. 17, 2017. (more…)

FMA will be offering webinars again this year, with the first webinar scheduled from noon until 1:00 pm on Wednesday, April 26 focusing on the latest in social media (more…)

Keep an eye out for information that will be sent out about upcoming member receptions. The following locations and dates are currently being planned: (more…)