Jodi Vevoda appointed New Mexico Magazine publisher
Jodi Vevoda, a publishing executive with long experience and proven success in sales and management at top national media companies, has been appointed publisher of New Mexico Magazine.
In the last decade, Vevoda has held senior positions at Condé Nast (Executive Director, corporate sales), Time Inc. (Vice President, corporate sales), and USA Today (Vice President, advertising sales). She brings to New Mexico Magazine a proven track record of creating productive relationships with industry partners, developing brands, and generating revenues.
"Becoming the publisher of New Mexico Magazine represents a rare opportunity to live in a community I love while helping to develop a brand I believe in," Vevoda said. "I look forward to working with state and industry partners to put the magazine on a path to growth, and helping increase awareness of New Mexico's myriad assets."
Vevoda's appointment - following the naming of Dave Herndon as editor in chief in May - puts in place the leadership team that will make the magazine "a more robust publication I believe the state needs and deserves," said Monique Jacobson, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department.
"Jodi's experience and success at the top levels of publishing is a huge asset not only to New Mexico Magazine, but to the Tourism Department and the state," said Jacobson, whose department oversees the magazine brand. "All of the publishing executives we spoke to about Jodi said the same thing: 'You’d be lucky to have her.' And we are. Jodi is just the kind of savvy professional we need to help guide the magazine through uncertain economic times in a rapidly changing media environment."
Vevoda has owned a home in Santa Fe for several years and recently relocated here from Chicago. She started at the magazine August 29, 2011.
International Regional Magazine Association honors New Mexico Magazine
New Mexico Magazine took home four awards from the 2011 International Regional Magazine Association’s Awards on September 11, in Reno, Nevada. The magazine's honors included two silver awards and two awards of merit.
The International Regional Magazine Association represents more than 40 state, provincial and regional publications across the United States and Canada.
The article "Trade Names," written by Santa Fe resident Sally Denton and published in December 2010, earned the silver award for the best historical feature. The article explored the influence of Jewish founding families in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The award judges described the story as compelling and well-researched. An illustration of conservationist and writer Edward Abbey created by Paul McCreery also took home a silver award. A judge described it as a "splendid portrait that captures the unconventional nature of the subject."
The magazine earned awards of merit for "Best Eats 2010," in the food feature category, and for its website, www.nmmagazine.com.
Official New Mexico Centennial Calendar Unveiled
Ronald Kil, featured artist, and historian Marc Simmons, who wrote the introduction, signed copies of New Mexico Magazine's 2012 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar, Celebrating 100 Years of Statehood, and addressed New Mexico history and the statehood era on Saturday (September 17, 2011), at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe.
The event was free to the public.
The calendar celebrates New Mexico's history through the eyes of Kil, a Western artist and cowboy. Action-packed, colorful and historically accurate scenes along the Santa Fe Trail capture the spirit of the Old West and highlight the state's history from the time of the Paleo-Indians to statehood in 1912.
Conquistadors, cowboys, Indians, soldiers, buffalo, wagon trains, longhorns, and the arrival of the railroad come vividly to life in image and text. The 12 featured paintings appear in Kil's Santa Fe Trail mural series at the NRA Whittington Center's Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest in Raton.
Still in his teens, Kil pursued his dreams of becoming both a cowboy and an artist. He rode for big outfits across the West for many years, carrying a sketchbook with him. A decade ago he left the cowboy world and became a full-time artist and illustrator. His artwork has appeared in New Mexico Magazine and many other periodicals. He has also illustrated numerous books, including five juvenile titles in the University of New Mexico Press' Children of the West series.
Simmons is a professional historian and award-winning Southwestern author. His writings, lectures and research focus on New Mexico's diverse cultural heritage. He is also recognized as an authority on the Santa Fe Trail and is past president of the Santa Fe Trail Association.
Each full-color 2012 Enchanting New Mexico Calendar is 12' x 10" and notes major holidays, Pueblo feast days, seasonal and time changes and phases of the moon.
Herndon takes over helm as magazine's editor
Dave Herndon, a seasoned journalist who has held senior titles at several leading magazines and newspapers, has been named editor in chief of New Mexico Magazine. His start date was May 15, 2011.
While editor in chief at Caribbean Travel & Life headquartered in Florida, Herndon managed all editorial planning and procedures for this national travel magazine (155,000 circulation and 400,000 readership). He refined the title's brand and mission, supervised its redesign and guided audience and revenue growth for the magazine's website.
"I'm eager to bring the same level of passion and commitment to New Mexico that I've brought to my coverage of other favorite places, like Africa and the Caribbean," Herndon said. "The common thread is soul, with a touch of the exotic. New Mexico still has the enchanting allure of what Georgia O'Keeffe referred to as 'The Faraway, Nearby.' "
Herndon has also served as senior editor at Travel & Leisure, contributing editor at Martha Stewart Living, features editor of Sports Afield, and staff writer and features editor at New York Newsday. His freelance articles have appeared in Rolling Stone, Men's Journal and National Geographic Adventure.
Herndon holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor's in communications from Fordham University.
"Dave will bring a wealth of new ideas, enthusiasm and energy. His addition to the New Mexico Magazine staff can help to make the magazine a world-class publication that best represents the state's breath-taking beauty, culture and amazing activities," said Monique Jacobson, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. "We have every confidence that he will craft an exciting publication, keeping our loyal readership satisfied while also exploring ways to reach a wider audience."
The search begins for the best mysteries
We can't put your name up in bright lights, but if you've got a hankering to be published, we can lend you a helping hand. In conjunction with the 2011 Tony Hillerman Writers Conference, New Mexico Magazine is co-sponsoring a contest to select the best new mystery short story. We're seeking compelling, original, well-written stories that have not been previously published. We're not requiring that your stories be set in New Mexico, but those that take place in the Land of Enchantment will receive extra consideration, befitting a competition bearing the name of the late Tony Hillerman, our most renowned mystery author.
What’s the prize? First off, the winning story will be published in the February 2012 issue of New Mexico Magazine — an issue we have traditionally devoted to books and reading. Secondly, the author will receive a stipend of $1,000 and two tickets to the awards ceremony at the 2011 Tony Hillerman Writers Conference, where the winner will be announced and saluted by the aspiring writers attending the conference.
When do we need your story? You’ve got a little bit of time to polish up your masterpiece. But to be eligible, all entries must be postmarked no later than Aug. 15, 2011. Entries should be addressed to WordHarvest Writers Workshops, 304 Calle Oso, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Each entry must be accompanied by a check or money order for $20 payable to WordHarvest. The fee goes to pay for the contest judges, and if you want a full, written critique of your story from the judges, send $100. Multiple entries by the same writer are allowed.
We're not going to be able to return your submissions, so do keep personal copies of any stories you send. Also, be sure to send your email address so we can easily reach you, and also a stamped, self-addressed post card if you want an acknowledgement that your story has been received.
We're excited to unveil this contest for our readers, knowing just how smart and savvy so many of you are, and how much you care about New Mexico. A few other guidelines to bear in mind:
• Keep you story length at 2,500 words or less.
• Entries should be typed, double-spaced and printed single-sided.
• Please use page numbers and your title ONLY on each page.
• Include a separate cover sheet with title, word count, writer's name, address, phone number and email address.
That's it. Take care, but take the prize! And hopefully, you'll have some fun and gain a little bit of celebrity status along the way.
New Mexico Magazine, operated under the auspices of the New Mexico Tourism Department, is the oldest state magazine in this country, founded in 1923. The magazine reaches readers in more than 150 nations via its print, digital and online editions. Besides monthly editions, the magazine publishes books, posters and the Tourism Department's annual Land of Enchantment Travel Planner.
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