NEW YORK – Oct. 14, 2004 – James A. Frank, the former editor of Golf Magazine, and an All-Star team of publishing talents have joined together to launch a new magazine: Golf Connoisseur.
Created expressly for those with the passion, means, and motivation to live out their dreams, Golf Connoisseur will be the essential companion for those special people who understand that golf is not just a game but an integral part of who they are, how they think, and how they live.
Mr. Frank, who is Editor-in-Chief, explains, "A connoisseur is, by definition, a person with informed and discriminating taste. To this we add playing golf, because golf is clearly a matter of taste - good taste."
Golf Connoisseur's mission is to be the world's most prestigious golf, luxury, and lifestyle magazine, covering the worlds of golf like no other publication by celebrating what the game is really all about - the good life both on and off the course.
Within the game, Golf Connoisseur will profile the Tour pros, business leaders, and celebrities who love it and shape it, as well as the spectacular private clubs, top resorts, and courses where it is played. Also showcased will be the latest in equipment, fashion, and accessories that make every golf experience special.
Golf Connoisseur is just as dedicated to exploring the best of life away from the course. Lifestyle coverage will be commensurate with the refined sensibilities and high quality expectations of its readers for food and wine (whether eating in or dining out); high-tech gadgets and electronics; automobiles and other means of transportation; business and politics; and the many worlds of entertainment from art and music to gambling and hobbies. Plus much more.
With its over-sized 9-by-12-inch format, crisp graphics, and evocative photography, the look of Golf Connoisseur will match the high quality and tone of its editorial.
The inspiration and start-up organization behind Golf Connoisseur is Riggs-Heinrich Media, led by entrepreneurs R. Chris Riggs and Rocky D. Heinrich who are Co-Chairmen. Riggs-Heinrich was formed to become an emerging media company developing high quality properties that are synonymous with the luxury lifestyle.
Mr. Riggs and Mr. Heinrich have extensive top management backgrounds at leading multi-billion dollar companies, as well as start-ups, including Becton-Dickinson and Rockland International. Notable Riggs-Heinrich Media board members and advisors include: Edward Vick (former Chairman of Young & Rubicam), Jim Kopper (former EVP Times Mirror Magazines), John O'Steen (former EVP of Cornerstone Brands and co-founder/former CEO of Frontgate), Pat Auletta (President, Key Bank, N.A.), as well as other CEOs from inside and outside the publishing industry.
The magazine's All-Star management team includes circulation expert Dan Capell, who has created a circulation approach for Golf Connoisseur that's unique in the industry. First issue recipients will be hand-picked and will include the membership of the top 350 clubs in America.
Among those requesting Golf Connoisseur are: Pine Valley, Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills, and Cypress Point. The magazine also will be in the VIP lounges of Delta, United, Continental, Northwest, US Airways, British Airways, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and others, plus the private aircraft fleets of NetJets and Jet Concierge. Additionally, the magazine will be given to the guests of some of the top social clubs, hotels, casinos, and resorts in America, including the Bellagio, Venetian, Plaza, New York Downtown Athletic Club, and others. Recipients will be asked to submit written requests and be surveyed to be eligible to receive future issues. This unique process of establishing standards to select those who qualify to receive Golf Connoisseur assures a focused, highly affluent readership. At launch the magazine's circulation will be 235,000.
Sales and marketing is being managed by the Wallace/Kelly Group LP with co-publishers Joe Kelly (former CEO, Publicitas North America and former VP/Managing Director Corporate Sales and Marketing, Hearst Corporation) and Ken Wallace (former VP Group Publisher, Rodale, past Chairman of MPA Marketing Committee, SVP/Corporate Sales and Marketing, G+J USA).
Both magazine veterans with high-level publishing experience, they state Golf Connoisseur will have a unique position in the marketplace that offers advertisers meaningful opportunities and a decided difference from other titles. They point out, "Golf Connoisseur goes beyond special interest or just the demography of affluence and talks to the special lifestyles enjoyed by affluent golfers." Golf Connoisseur is expected to reach an audience that is 75% male, median age of 50 years old, owns multiple residences, belongs to one or more clubs, plays a high frequency of rounds of golf per year, and has a median total asset value well into seven figures.
Golf Connoisseur's Premiere Issue will appear the first week of December 2004 and will be issued quarterly throughout 2005, with an increase in frequency to follow. Open page rates for 4-color are $29,375 per full page. Advertising offices have been established in Michigan, California, Illinois, Texas, Florida, and New Jersey, and will report to sales and marketing headquarters in New York.
Golf Connoisseur is a subsidiary of Riggs Heinrich Media, Inc. Additional company information is available at: http://www.golfconnoisseur.com.
Contacts
DJGPR
John Baroody, 212-370-9700 x118
