Publisher's Notes

by Kate Metts
Publisher

I believe that one of the best things about Augusta is that it has a great city magazine. I thought that when I moved to the Garden City 25 years ago and, of course, I still think it’s true.

I’d like to take credit for it, but with the 35-year history of the publication, there are many talented and creative people as well as wonderful business partners who have helped to make it what it is today.

As we look back on 35 years of Augusta Magazine, it’s fun to see familiar faces in their younger days, read advertisements for businesses that are still thriving or ones we fondly remember, and compare 1970s home prices with what they are currently.

I recently asked Jerry Rogers, who served as publisher for about 10 years beginning in the mid-1980s, what he enjoyed most about owning and running the magazine. “When I started working with the magazine, it was really the right time for Augusta. There were a lot of exciting things happening in the city,” he said.

The magazine grew and developed tremendously during those years. “We benefited from the previous publisher, Marion Vann’s, track record of quality as well as the trust the business community had in my father Joe Rogers,” said Jerry. The growth in the Augusta area was coupled with advancing print and design technology, and the magazine took on a more sophisticated appearance and moved to publishing six times a year. “I remember when we started selling spot color on ads and businesses were excited about it,” Rogers said. “The support from the Augusta community for the magazine was always amazing,” he said. “People really loved it.”

I also talked with Jerry about some of the challenges he faced, many of which are the same today: competition from other media and the publication deadlines. “Your life revolved around the deadline and it had to be met. But with the magazine, you were always way ahead, working on the holiday issue in September.”

The fact that Augusta has supported a magazine for many years is really a testament to the community. Local businesses and subscribers were supportive of the publication in its early days, just as they are today. So if you’re reading this anniversary issue, please know that we couldn’t do it without you, our advertisers and readers. On behalf of the staff, we appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you a fabulous magazine with every issue.