<i>Boston</i> Magazine Gets New Editor, Publisher, Layoffs And Furloughs

Boston magazine has fired its editor and imposed additional staff cuts and furloughs today. The magazine's editor, James Burnett, is out, replaced by Minnesota Monthly editor Andrew Putz, the magazine's owner, Metrocorp, announced today. Putz will come on board on July 22 -- Metrocorp editorial director Larry Platt will serve as editor until then. Once Putz is in place, he will appoint a new creative director -- presumably replacing current creative director Patrick Mitchell. Additionally, Paul Reulbach, who served as publisher of Boston magazine from 2003 until 2007, will be returning to the post after two years away from the company. What's more, Metrocorp said the appointments of Putz, Reulbach and a new creative director were "part of an organizational restructuring at the magazine," which includes the elimination of six other positions across the board. (Jeff Bercovici says three editorial and design staffers and two from the business side were let go.) Employees will also be required to take one-week furloughs. "We want to be well-positioned when the economy rebounds," said Metrocorp's chairman Herb Lipson. "The best way to do that is to strengthen the quality of the magazine. At the same time, we have to face economic realities and it is always painful to eliminate positions." If you have any info about who is out as Boston magazine, or just want to complain about it, tell us all about it in the comments. Full release after the jump Andrew Putz Named New Editor of Boston Magazine Former Publisher Paul Reulbach to return to same post (Boston, MA -- June 22) -- Boston magazine announced today that award-winning journalist Andrew Putz has been appointed as Editor of the magazine, effective July 22nd. The magazine also announced that Paul Reulbach, who served as publisher of Boston magazine from 2003 to 2007, is returning to assume his former position, reporting directly to President Randy Hano. In addition, the magazine will hire a new Creative Director, who will be selected by Putz when he comes on board. Larry Platt, Editorial Director for Metrocorp, the owner of Boston magazine, will serve as acting editor until Putz arrives. "This change in our creative leadership is about making a good magazine great," says Platt, the editor of Metrocorp's sister publication, Philadelphia magazine. "Andy Putz is one of the best young editors in America and he can make Boston magazine a must-read that gets the town talking and gets certain movers and shakers shaking." Since March 2007, Putz has been editor of Minnesota Monthly, overseeing all editorial operations of the magazine. During his tenure, Minnesota Monthly garnered attention and awards for writing and design, and published buzzworthy stories on everything from would-be-Senator Al Franken to the I-35W bridge collapse. Under Putz, the magazine wasn't merely a critical success: Amid less-than-ideal economic conditions, Minnesota Monthly saw newsstand sales increase in 2008 and is on track to do so again in 2009; the magazine's January 2008 issue was the best-selling in its 42-year history. Prior to joining Minnesota Monthly, Putz, 35, was a senior editor under Platt at Philadelphia magazine, and previously held the same title at Indianapolis Monthly. Putz's background as a writer has earned him a widespread reputation for editing narratives; he covered politics and business for Philadelphia, and has won two national Clarion Awards for feature writing. Paul Reulbach returns to Boston magazine as Publisher, a post he held for almost 5 years until leaving two years ago. Under Reulbach, Boston enjoyed some of its best revenue-generating years in its nearly 40-year history. He created the first "Design Home" and forged strong partnerships with many of Boston's iconic events. Most recently, he was General Manager and Vice President of the Media Sales & Consulting Group of the Pohly Company. He said: "It's not often one has an opportunity to have a second act with the same company, but for me this is an ideal opportunity. I get to come back to a familiar, comfortable place, but with a whole new set of challenges and opportunities." "Paul's knowledge of Boston, not to mention the Boston magazine brand, makes for a winning combination. Paul understands the special relationship we have with our reader and how to connect our business partners into that. His past history with Boston, strong local relationships and love for the book give him a unique perspective which will help us to strengthen and grow revenues. He is an ideas guy, always looking to create partnerships and strong business relationships that will reach in many directions," said Hano. While the hirings of Putz and Reulbach underscore Metrocorp's ongoing commitment to producing quality magazines, the company is not immune from the cyclical economic factors facing all media companies. As a result, the hiring of Putz and Reulbach are part of an organizational restructuring at the magazine, which will eliminate six positions in its editorial, marketing and online departments. In response to the national economic downturn, each employee will also take an unpaid one-week furlough before the end of the year. "We want to be well-positioned when the economy rebounds," says Metrocorp Chairman Herb Lipson. "The best way to do that is to strengthen the quality of the magazine. At the same time, we have to face economic realities and it is always painful to eliminate positions." Lipson said that Boston magazine, despite the economic downturn remains on firm footing. "We have guaranteed a circulation of 100,000 to advertisers, and we have been exceeding that figure. Through our branded publications such as New England Travel, Boston Home and Boston Wedding, not to mention Bostonmagazine.com and its one million page views per month, we are able to give our readers a great variety of content and our advertisers more options and specific demographics. I am very bullish on the short-term and long-term future of Boston magazine, which has been a fixture in the region for almost forty years." For more than a half million monthly readers Boston magazine is the voice that captures the best of contemporary life in the city and beyond. With informed editorial and in depth coverage on topics ranging from fashion to finance, Boston magazine is the premier authority on the region.

Fishbowl

Boston Magazine Gets New Editor, Publisher, Layoffs And Furloughs

Amanda Ernst

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Amanda Ernst