James November-December 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 30
So how did we get the name
James? I’ll give everyone a big
clue. Years before we started
James, I was invited to spend
time with a really nice and very
bright guy who was starting a
magazine. He was charismatic and
engaging and was naming his new
publication after the first name of
our first president George Washington— a bold move back then. His
magazine made a big splash, but
tragically he died in an untimely
plane crash several years later. I’ve
never forgotten him or his inspiration for our unique name.
We aren’t “What’s James?”
anymore. If you live in Georgia and
are part of our business, political
and cultural community, you know
James. And James knows and so
appreciates you, our loyal readers.
I’ll let Phil take it from here to tell
you just how far we have come.
Rest in Peace John… and John.
• • •
Thanks Matt, I’ll take it from here.
by Phil Kent
CEO & Publisher
InsiderAdvantage/James Magazine
event sponsors and co-sponsors
over the years and our family of
friends and advertisers.
After becoming CEO and
publisher in January 2015, a new
and hard-working core team
gradually formed that now
comprise Associate
Publisher and Marketing Director
Melanie Dobbins,
Advertising Sales
Supervisor Craig
Malcolm, Advertising
Account Manager Tim
Kelley and Content Coordinator Rosser Southerland,
who also works on special projects.
They have a great work ethic and
joined loyal stalwarts from our
first decade: the aforementioned
Office Manager/Circulation Director Patrick Hickey (who also is
a very good writer!) and Burtch
Hunter. Burtch, who presides over
his own Atlanta-based company,
Burtch Hunter Design, is responsible for our magazine covers and overall
layout and design.
Diverse content of interest
to all Georgians that
range from business
and political topics to
public policy and culture
news is essential to be a profitable publication. That’s why James
and James Magazine Online retain
two excellent staff reporters and
YEAR-END REFLECTION is something probably all of us are doing
as 2024 ends. We’re no exception
at James. For me, Matt and the
entire team, this year stood out for
our expanding statewide circulation, growing advertising support
and the overall success we have
experienced over the past decade.
It is indeed gratifying that, by the
time this magazine is hitting the
mail, James celebrates its 20th anniversary as we pause to salute our
long-time and new readers, our
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JAMES
JAMES PUBLISHER PHIL KENT AND ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MELANIE DOBBINS ADDRESS
THE 2024 JAMES INFLUENTIAL GEORGIANS RECEPTION ATTENDEES.
NOVEM B E R/D EC E M B E R 2 0 2 4
