The Latest AMPA Gossip: Your January 2012 Water-Cooler Update

The cold-snap may be behind us, but there's no denying that it's still winter out there. So why not warm up with a cuppa joe and catch up on the latest chatter in the Alberta magazine world? And as always, if you have any news to share, drop me a line!

Change is the Name of the Game at Avenue

Life-changing events abound in the Avenue world. Calgary editor Käthe Lemon is expecting her first baby this June with her husband, Tyler. No word on whether it’s a boy or girl—they’re waiting to be surprised when baby arrives! Excited for a new playmate for my Annabel!

Similarly, Edmonton editor Steven and his wife, Noelle, are pregnant with their second child due in June. Edmonton associate editor Omar Mouallem will also tie the knot to his fiancée, Janae, on June 23 with a honeymoon in Beirut to follow. There, he will introduce his new bride to his grandmother and see Lebanon through fresh eyes. Congrats to all on their upcoming celebrations!

As for changes on the Calgary Avenue staffing front, longtime web editor Tony Charron has moved on to a position at  Critical Mass, while former senior editor Jesse Semko has joined the Chamber of Commerce.

Other changes at RedPoint Media include former managing editor of corporate publications and special projects, Abby Miller, moving to accounting firm Meyers Norris Penney to work on an in-house magazine. Former up! managing editor Adam Trinh has gone freelance while his replacement, former Calgary Herald Neighbours editor Pam Fieber will soon join the team.

Where Calgary Editor Bids Cowtown Farewell

Where Calgary’s Laura Pellerine wrapped up her last day on the job December 30, after working her way up from AMPA intern to top editor. She and husband, Ryan, made a cross-country move to Montreal where Ryan will be working with one of the top 10 marketing firms in Canada. Laura will work out her freelance chops while sussing out a new permanent position, and is contemplating starting up her own blog. All the best to Laura in la belle province! 

And welcome to Ian Doig, former FFWD news editor, who has taken over for Laura at Where.

airdrielife Publisher Proven Influencer
It’s little surprise to anyone who knows Sherry Shaw-Froggatt that she ranked first in the Airdrie Echo newspaper’s list of Most Influential People of 2011. Not only does she publish airdrielife, she’s also a keystone in the community founding the Creative Airdrie Society, and is the brains behind the ARTember festival and Amazing Airdrie Women Awards. I’ve always enjoyed working with Sherry—she’s a giver and a doer; two attributes that I greatly respect. She’s contributed ideas, elbow grease and talent to many AMPA events including the Alberta Magazines Conference. Kudos to Sherry for this well-deserved recognition. 

Potential New UK Adventures for Zalewski

An uncorroborated Facebook post indicates that the former publisher at JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group and former AMPA Prez, Agnes Zalewski may be heading across the pond to the UK for a new job in publishing. Zalewski  has not officially confirmed or denied the statement, only that she’s “looking at going over for six months initially on contract to see how all the pieces fit.” In the meantime, she can be found yoga-ing like crazy.

--- Colleen Seto

AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

Fall Water-Cooler AMPA Update

Fall is officially upon us now so I thought it was time for another update on what's happening with some Alberta mags folks. As I'm not always privy to everybody's news, I invite you to please share with me what's happening in your world. And it doesn't have to be magazine news; let's face it, we're into the personal stuff too!

• As we all know, big changes at AMPA. A fond farewell is in order for Andrew Mah (or Mahster, as I like to call him) as he embarks on new adventures to teach in China. Thank you Andrew for the amazing work you pulled off in this last year. I know all too well that the first year comes with a wicked steep learning curve and you handled it like a pro.

• A big welcome to Suzanne Trudel as the new AMPA ED. As a fellow board member for the Amber Webb-Bowerman Memorial Foundation, I know Suz to be dedicated and hardworking, not to mention a lovely person. I'm sure she will do a great job carrying on AMPA's good works. If you haven't already, please take a moment to say hello and make her feel at home.

• Former AMPA Communications Specialist Anh Chu has just moved across the pond, making London, England, her new home, just to shake things up! Watch for news about Anh's next career as...an actress? A gourmet chef? A Spice Girl?

• Congrats to Melanie Jones, Alberta mags contributor and former Where Calgary editor, on her success with her show ENDURE, which she created, produced and performs. She recently came home to Calgary and completed a sold-out run and now she's back in New York performing this immersive, theatre-meets-athletics show twice a day every weekend this month. You go, girl!

 

• Margaret Chandler, former AMPA conference coordinator, is now at Bow Valley College as Special Advisor to the President. She's actually been at the job for a year now, but I forgot to blog about it when she started. (I blame baby brain.) She continues her green initiatives chairing the ECOBVC, the college's sustainability committee. 

• In June, Alberta Venture welcomed two new columnists, Preston Manning and Brett Wilson. Talk about bringing on the big guns!

• AvenueCalgary.com got a facelift this summer with a new design as well as a version for mobile apps.

• And finally, some cheesy personal gushing. It's my baby's first birthday today! Happy birthday Annabel!                                                      

                                                                                                   ---Colleen Seto

AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

AMPA AGM 2011: Fond Farewells, New Beginnings

I’ve been to more than a few AMPA AGM's over the years—back when I was an intern, later as magazine editor, and then as AMPA’s incoming executive director last year. They’ve always had a great atmosphere, due in part to our watering-hole of choice, the woodsy and warm Rose & Crown tavern.

My Favourite People

The spirits did flow, but I also attribute the atmosphere to some of my favourite people: magazine people. I’m clearly biased, but those who work for magazines are, with remarkable consistency, friendly, creative, savvy and good hearted. It may have something to do with the need to blend entrepreneurial rigor with creative vision. There’s probably also a weaning-out process: who but the passionate yet pragmatic would persist in an industry fraught with low margins, long hours and tight deadlines?

Whatever the reasons, I’ve always felt at home with this group: the publishers, editors, art directors, writers, sales staff, interns, etc, of the Alberta magazine publishing industry. Which is why it is with sadness that I announced my departure from AMPA at the AGM.

Exit Stage Left

I won’t bore you with personal ephemera. I’ll simply point out that I was torn to stay, would have enjoyed it, but some big life goals will be taking me overseas.

It’s been a time for farewells. A few months ago, stalwart AMPA ED-on-leave Colleen Seto decided not to return from maternity leave, choosing the joys of motherhood and freelancing instead. Not enough can be said about how much Colleen has done for AMPA during her five years. Immense credit goes to her for building a stable, secure organization and helping to create this great community.

The next farewell was a bit of an AGM shocker, with Agnes Zalewski revealing her departure from June Warrren-Nickle's Energy Group, and hence as AMPA President. I can say that it was a pleasure working with such an enthusiastic board, and with Agnes's drive and clarity in particular.

Continual Rebirth

Of course, departure creates opportunity. Jenn Schmidt-Rempel of Lethbridge living stepped up to the presidency of AMPA. She definitely has the energy and entrepreneurial vision to take the association forward. My own successor was also introduced: Suzanne Trudel. Trudel comes well recommended as the former Publications Manager at SAIT, and I’m confident you’ll be in good hands with her.

We also introduced a keen, new member of the AMPA staff: admin and special projects assistant Rowena Cua. You’ll be seeing her at more meetings moving forward.

There were old and new faces elected to the Board of AMPA. Indeed, rampant enthusiasm to join—there were 7 people on the election slate and only 6 open positions—almost led to what would have been a first in my memory, a bona fide gun-slinging election with ballots. However, Agnes’ high-noon departure opened up a 7^th position and we were able to continue the AMPA tradition of saving time for beer and noshing by acclaiming the entire slate with a show of hands.

The Board

So this year’s board will include:

[incumbents]

Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, Lethbridge living

Lynn Fraser, Freefall

Brian French, Where Calgary

[re-elected]

Tracy Hyatt, Westworld

Merla Thomson, Canine Review

[newly elected]

Joyce Byrne, Alberta Venture

Käthe Lemon, Avenue Calgary

Chaz Osburn, Alberta Construction Magazine

Steven Sandor, Avenue Edmonton

Rob Tanner, Canadian Cowboy Country

What Else?

Suffice it to say, membership is up, AMPA is in good financial shape and we’re working hard to provide the programs and services our members seek.

Beyond that, I’ll simply say thanks and farewell. AMPA is in good hands with Suzanne and a robust board of directors. Plus, Rebecca Lesser, who you all know, will keep the home fires burning—I’d like to thank her especially—for her dedication, insights and willingness to shoulder thankless burdens. Take care, everyone.

--- Andrew Mah
AMPA Executive Director

Alberta Magazine Publishers Association is Moving Offices

Time for a Move from 17th Avenue

The boxes are piled up along the wall and atop the dollies, and the bright, multi-pastel-hued I Heart AB Mags posters have been taken down with care from the windows. We’ve managed to Kijiji obsolete office equipment (alas, good-bye 300 lb. printer), recycle magazines older than those in doctor’s offices, and box up binder upon binder of Canadian Heritage grant reports. 

You see, it’s time for a move. Our lease is up, space is scarce and we’ve found some new digs just north of the Bow River in Calgary.

The New Office in Kensington

Starting on August 9, AMPA will have moved into a shiny new space in the Kensington district—just a block  from the famously jaundiced, iconic Calgary grease refectory that is Chicken on the Way (I say this all affectionately; I’ve had more than a few chicken dinner snack packs). 

Our new office is modestly larger, which will be a good thing for the staff—at our former location we'd rubbed elbows in our open-concept, shared workspaces. It’s a good thing we all got along so well. 

A New Space for AMPA Members

The extra space will also be good for AMPA members. It will enable us to create a new community resource area: a place where members and the public can access our archive of past magazine issues, a library of reference materials, and view a wall-spanning display of AMPA member publications. There will also be space for members to book and hold small meetings and get-togethers, and for AMPA to host small workshops and webinars.

A Move for a New Era

It’s been five years here for AMPA, a year for me, and I’ve come to enjoy the bustle of 17th Avenue. Still, it seems appropriate for AMPA, which has been growing and changing with its membership, to make its move now: a symbolic start to a new era.

If you’re in the neighbourhood, please feel free to stop by. The chicken fritters are on us.

--- Andrew Mah
AMPA Acting Executive Director

Almost Summer Water Cooler Update

Time to confab about peeps in publishing! Thanks for sharing your people news. As the weather heats up, so too will the gossip, or so I hope! 

If you know of any other such news, please do let me know. Or, if you’re wondering what someone is up to these days and would like me to get the scoop, drop me a line as well!

• In case you haven’t been watching already, check out My Rona Home on Citytv where Avenue Calgary’s Käthe Lemon is one of the show’s judges. There are only two episodes left to air on upcoming Sunday nights, but you can view all past episodes online.  
• Welcome to Venture Publishing’s new editors! Mike Ganley is now at the helm of the editorial team at Alberta Venture. He was formerly editor of Up Here Business magazine in Yellowknife. Darren Campbell took over as editor of Alberta Oil magazine from Gord Jaremko back in January. See full details here.
• Congrats to Redpoint Media editors Abby Miller and Tony Charron who tied the knot last month. Best wishes to the happy couple.
• AMPA’s former RAMM coordinator and all-around events specialist Angy McIntyre has recently joined the Calgary WordFest team on contract to manage volunteers. So, if you’re interested in volunteering, let us know and we’ll connect you.
• Bon voyage to Kelie Jensen, former associate publisher for Alberta Views, who wrapped things up at the magazine earlier this month to prepare to move to New Zealand in July with husband Stephen and two-year-old son, Finn. Kelie worked at Views since 2004 in a few different positions including controller. Kelie, who is perhaps best known for her role as "orc no. 8" in Lord of the Rings, will be missed by her Views coworkers as well as others in Calgary’s magazine and arts community. All the best, Kelie!

--- Colleen Seto AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

A goodbye email to end all goodbye emails

With just two more weeks left at AMPA, I must honestly say that I look fondly back on my three years here. And how could I not, with the exceptional staff and working environment, amazing opportunities to hear from industry-wide experts and the hardworking, independent magazine publishers I communicated with? I say these things honestly, and find it disconcerting to know that there are countless numbers of people out there--like former television writer/producer/director Sam Toperoff who wrote this epic goodbye letter--who hate aspects of their employment, of which we all spend the majority of our waking hours...

Kudos to Mr. Topperoff for the courage to air his grievances, providing me with an entertaining read and perhaps some others with inspiration for their own future goodbye letters.

Cheers,
Anh

-AMPA Communications Specialist

Taking AMPA to the next level

The AMPA board of directors returned this week from a 2-day board retreat in Canmore to discuss the future of AMPA; how we can elevate the Alberta magazines industry; and how to spend the money we do have (thanks to our budget-savvy executive director Colleen Seto).

AMPA President Gary Davies (Executive VP at RedPoint Media, publisher of Avenue magazine) , is confident that AMPA's forthcoming initiatives will make "Alberta the magazine and digital publishing hub of Western Canada." Read on for more of Davies' predictions...