Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine Named Best Magazine of the Year by International Regional Magazine Association

Prism Publications, Inc., announced today that Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine has been named Best Magazine of the Year by the International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) for publications with circulation up to 40,000. Additionally, the publication won accolades for editorial and design, competing against 45 eligible publications. All six articles entered by Traverse staff won IRMA awards; plus the overall magazine design merited recognition. In May of this year, Traverse was granted the silver award for general excellence in publications with circulations up to 30,000 by the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA).

Traverse City, MI (PRWEB) November 5, 2007 -- Prism Publications, Inc., announced today that Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine (www.traversemagazine.com) has been named Best Magazine of the Year by the International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) for publications with circulation up to 40,000. Additionally, the publication won accolades for editorial and design, competing against 45 eligible publications, many with larger circulations like Arizona Highways (1,000,000 circ.) and Cottage Life, a Canadian publication (70,000 circ.). All six articles entered by Traverse staff won IRMA awards; plus the overall magazine design merited recognition:

•    "Four Wings and a Prayer," (June) written by assistant editor Lynda Twardowski, won a gold award for nature feature

•    "And Then There Were None," (August) written by editor Jeff Smith, won a silver award for environmental feature

•    "Archipelago of the Gods," (August) written by managing editor Elizabeth Edwards, won a silver award for travel feature

•    "Ultimate Guide to Winter," (December) written by associate editor Emily Betz Tyra, won a Bronze award for reader service article

•    "The Fire Not Forgotten," (November) written by Twardowski, won an award of merit for historical feature

•    September, October and December issues, designed by art director Diane Kolak, won an award of merit for overall art direction, up to 40,000 circulation.

"Winning an award like Magazine of the Year is a tremendous honor, but it is also a reflection of the passion, integrity and expertise every staff member brings to the magazine every day," says Traverse president and editor in chief, Deborah Wyatt Fellows. "This award commends the commitment to life Up North that we share with our readers throughout the region, the state and the country. And it reminds us all that Traverse couldn't be published without the ongoing support of those readers and the creative and committed businesses who advertise."

Evidence of the Traverse staff's enormous talent appears in the comments issued by IRMA judges. "Traverse's sharp writing, dramatic design and eclectic subjects make it an irresistible read," says one IRMA judge. Another judge comments, "Traverse delivers a lot of information in a clean, clear readable design. Consistent, classy and cultivated looking."

"On our pages, you'll find remarkable talent covering a spectacular area," says Traverse editor Jeff Smith. "To capture the true essence of our area and appeal to the critical eye of our reader, our writers, photographers, designers and freelancers live and breathe the Up North lifestyle, everyday, all year long. We have to live up to what's outside our windows."

In May of this year, Traverse was granted the silver award for general excellence in publications with circulations up to 30,000 by the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA). Since 2002, Traverse has won one gold award and two silvers for general excellence, making it the most celebrated publication in its circulation category during that time by CRMA.

Since early spring, the company has been working on plans for new publications and special sections in print and online.

"You'll find the energy level at Traverse to be at an all-time high right now," explains Fellows. "While these awards do fuel excitement--it's always wonderful to be recognized by one's peers--they tell us what we did last year was great. This team is focused on what's next. It is that kind of talent, drive and focus that makes this team nationally and internationally excellent."

Fellows, who started Traverse in 1981, leads a staff of 27 full-time employees who produce several publications in print and online. Northern Home & Cottage has captured the essence of the Up North lifestyle for Traverse subscribers for more than a decade, launching an online version last fall. Other special sections, like the Real Estate Guide, Home Marketplace, Log & Timber Ideas and Meetings North, serve niche audiences. Plus, after 15 years of success producing Destination Northern Michigan in print, that publication's website is seeing growing traffic, providing direct links to retailers and tourist resources. Additionally, the staff has launched two new e-newsletters this fall:

Food & Wine Up North keeps readers up to date on what's in season, great food finds Up North, dining news and terrific recipes.

Traverse Filmgoer gives film aficionados in Northern Michigan access to film events, news and other information occurring across the region.

About International Regional Magazine Association

The International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) has remained committed to free and open communication among publishers of regional publications for more than 40 years. By trading ideas, members hope to improve and grow their magazines. Since 1981, the organization has celebrated the best examples in regional magazine publishing with its Annual IRMA awards. This year, 45 member publications were eligible to participate in more than 20 categories. In all, judges reviewed 390 entries this year, more entries than any previous year. Judges are experienced and lauded journalists, authors, photographers and designers. They are nominated by the membership and then invited to participate by popular vote of the board of directors. Visit regionalmagazines.org (www.regionalmagazines.org) for more information about IRMA.

About Prism Publications, Inc.

Prism Publications Inc., founded in 1981 by Deborah Wyatt Fellows, publishes Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine, Northern Home & Cottage, and Destination Northern Michigan, a Northern Michigan travel guide, in addition to several other print and online publications. Traverse and its staff have won more than a dozen national and international awards for excellence, including most recently "Best Magazine of the Year" from the International Regional Magazine Association and a 2007 silver award for general excellence from the City and Regional Magazine Association. Prism has also published Reflections of a Life Up North, a coffee-table book of stunning photography from Traverse paired with a collection of Fellows's columns, which has been reprinted in an expanded edition. Prism Publications is also a proud sponsor of many events including the Cottage & Lakefront Living Show, the Michigan Log & Timber Expo, The Epicurean Classic and the National Cherry Festival's Cherries D'Vine event. The privately held company is headquartered in Traverse City, Mich. For more information, visit traversemagazine.com (www.traversemagazine.com) or call (231) 941-8174.

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