Some of you already know me—as the publisher of Westchester Magazine, Westchester Home, Westchester Weddings, and Hudson Valley Magazine. For those of you who don’t, a small introduction:
I am a Yonkers native who has worked in the publishing industry since the age of 23. Launching Westchester Magazine was always a dream of mine. Launching a Westchester business magazine has been an idea for at least a half-dozen years.
Considering the positive feedback we’ve received and the success of our magazines, I think it’s obvious that our team of editors, art directors, production staff, etc., produces the kind of high-quality publication that strikes a chord with Westchester residents. And now we’re going to expand our brand with the premiere issue of 914INC., the county’s first glossy business lifestyle magazine, to be published four times a year.
Introducing a new magazine, now, when the print media seems to be dying? Yes, I know—newspapers and magazines are supposedly history; our future is in little electronic pads and technologies we’ve yet to imagine. And, a business magazine, yet, in a recession…in the Great Recession? Businesses are hurting. They’re risk-averse. So, you might ask, why did we decide to launch 914INC? The one thing we were not representing in Westchester Magazine was local business—an important segment of our community—and we wanted to broaden our brand. So the obvious thing to do was to launch a new business magazine. We are not cutting back in these tough eonomic times—we’re expanding our reach and investing in our brand.
Call me crazy. And maybe my team and I are nuts. But I think—no, I’m convinced—we’re not nuts. As a lifelong resident, I have profound confidence in Westchester, its leaders, and its business community. I strongly believe there’s a need for a magazine such as 914INC., a magazine that speaks to the business community—in a smart, savvy, and masterful way. I strongly believe that Westchester deserves a business magazine that is not only informative and enlightening, but a magazine that is beautiful, too—one that is a pleasure to thumb through. I think that Westchester deserves to learn about its business leaders, its business success stories, its business start-ups, and its business entrepreneurs in a format that is graphically appealing and mentally stimulating.
914INC. is distributed to senior business executives (CEOs, presidents, owners, vice presidents, and managers) across a wide range of industries and to members of the Business Council of Westchester. You can also find the magazine on newsstands and in bookstores, at the Westchester County Airport, and at select hotels and conference centers.
I want to personally thank the staff of Westchester Magazine for all the hard work and dedication they put forth to launch this magazine. It was not easy, but we think—after reading our premiere issue—that it was all worthwhile. Also, please check out our website at westchestermagazine.com and click the “Business” tab for more business coverage. And, we have a digital edition and app available for all of you who would rather read 914INC. electronically.
So a toast to our new launch and to expanding business in Westchester County.
Ralph A. Martinelli
Publisher
