Alberta Magazines Conference
Tom Gierasimczuk named Editor of the Year
at the Alberta Magazines Conference
Tom Gierasimczuk was named Editor of the Year 2010 for his work at the helm of up!, WestJet’s inflight magazine, at the Alberta Magazines Conference (AMC) on March 11, hosted by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA).
Gierasimczuk, the founding editor of up!, now in its fifth year, accepted the award and thanked his team at RedPoint Media. “RedPoint Media is a company that will always give you enough rope to either hang yourself, or spin great stories. This award is testament to RedPoint Media's focus on great storytelling, by using some of the best writers and photographers in the country. It's also testament to WestJet, for sharing these engaging tales with their guests as they travel to their next adventure.”
The Editor of the Year Award, presented by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts—Mountain Region, is given to honour excellence by an editor of an Alberta magazine. The award recognizes an individual who has excelled as a magazine editor, as reflected by the editorial quality of that person’s published works. It also takes into account the demonstration of qualities important to the profession, such as resourcefulness, community involvement, creativity, vision and leadership.
The judging panel, made up of editors from across the country including 2009 winner Dan Rubinstein, had this to say:
With engaging features written by A-list magazine writers and a lively front-of-book, up! magazine—and editor Tom Gierasimczuk—stood out in this year's field. up! uses smart packaging and storytelling to keep readers entertained, and Tom, who also writes regularly for the magazine, maintains the helm while serving as the editorial director for other title's in his company's stable of magazines—an impressive feat.
As the 2010 winner, Gierasimczuk will enjoy the title of Editor of the Year, and receive a weekend getaway to an Alberta Fairmont mountain resort. He’ll also take a seat on the judges’ panel for the 2011 Editor of the Year Award.
Alberta Magazines Showcase
Alberta Magazine Talent Recognized with Transcontinental Showcase Award Winners at the 2010 Alberta Magazines Conference
Calgary, AB –The Alberta Magazines Showcase Award winners were announced at the 14th annual Alberta Magazines Conference (AMC), held March 11 & 12, 2010, hosted by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA).
The Alberta Magazines Showcase Awards, sponsored by Transcontinental, feature the best of what Alberta magazines have to offer, and have done so since 2003. A judging panel of magazine professionals including keynote speaker Ina Saltz, former art director for Time, Worth and Golf magazines, selected winners in three categories from nearly 100 submissions from AMPA member magazines.
Here are the winners of the 2010 Showcase:
Best Feature Layout:
Best Feature Layout – techlife magazine for “A Promise to a Tree” V 2.2 2009; designer: Andrea Yury; photographer: Amy Bizovie; writer: Lisa Ricciotti. techlife is NAIT’s technology lifestyle magazine with a focus on people, technology and innovation.
Honourable Mention: Canadian Scrapbooker for “Colour Corner – Violet.” Spring 2010; designer: Jennifer Steinhauer. Canadian Scrapbooker is Canada's first and only quarterly scrapbooking magazine dedicated to Canadians.
Best Editorial Short:
Best Editorial Short – Western Living magazine for “The Peaks of Despair” December 2009; writer: Neal McLennan. As Canada's largest regional magazine, Western Living invites readers to stretch their imaginations about living in the West.
Honourable Mention: Westworld Alberta magazine for “Brack Country”; writer: Jack Gailus. Westworld Alberta is the award-winning travel magazine of the Alberta Motor Association.
Best Cover:
Best Cover – Where Calgary, May/June 2009 for “Refresh!” May/June 2009; art director: Veronica Cowan. Where Calgary is essential reading about Calgary’s events, shopping, dining, attractions and more for visitors and residents alike.
Honourable Mention: Okotoks Living, Winter 2009 issue; designer: Jean Faye Rodriguez; photographer: Don Molyneaux.
