In 1979 Fort Howard Paper Company heir and WFMR-FM radio station owner Doug Cofrin began publishing Milwaukee Magazine, which Cofrin expanded from a monthly pamphlet reporting on local news stories and classical music.[1] Following an unsuccessful 1980 U.S. Senate bid, Cofrin sold the magazine to Cleveland-based City Magazines for $25,000.[2] Struggling to turn a profit, City sold the publication to Quad/Graphics owner Harry Quadracci in 1983 for $50,000.[3] Under the leadership of Harry’s wife—longtime Milwaukee Magazine president and publisher Betty Quadracci—the magazine evolved into a financially stable, award-winning monthly.[4] Employing seasoned editors like Charlie Sykes (1983-1987), Judith Woodburn (1987-1990), John Fennell (1992-2005), and Bruce Murphy (2005-2012), Milwaukee Magazine reported circulation of close to 32,000 in 2015, and an overall readership between 100,000 and 150,000. It continues to provide its readers with a combination of investigative journalism, probing human-interest pieces, and in-depth arts and culture coverage.[5]
Footnotes [+]
- ^ Editors, “Saving Grace,” Milwaukee Magazine, March 6, 2008, last accessed July 31, 2017.
- ^ Bruce Murphy, “The Great Cofrin,” Urban Milwaukee, April 21, 2002, accessed September 25, 2013; Donald Pfarrer, “Cofrin Race Depleting His Assets,” The Milwaukee Journal, August 5, 1980, 1.
- ^ Helen Pauly, “The End Came Quickly,” The Milwaukee Journal, January 11, 1983, 13; Joanne Weintraub, “Reflections on Gloss,” The Milwaukee Journal, February 29, 1988, B1.
- ^ Among its numerous awards, the City and Regional Magazine Association named Milwaukee the top city magazine in its circulation category in 2002 and 2004: Editors, “Saving Grace.”
- ^ Rick Romell, “Magazine Editor to Step Down,” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 27, 2005, 2; Editors, “Saving Grace”; City and Regional Magazine Association Membership Directory, accessed November 29, 2015; Key Facts & Media Kit, Milwaukee Magazine website, accessed November 29, 2015.
For Further Reading
Fennell, John. Ready, Fire, Aim: With a Belief That Ordinary People Can Accomplish Extraordinary Things, Harry V. Quadracci Built a Legendary Printing Company and Changed an Industry. [Wisconsin]: Quadgraphics, 2006.
0 Comments
Please keep your community civil. All comments must follow the Encyclopedia of Milwaukee Community rules and terms of use, and will be moderated prior to posting. Encyclopedia of Milwaukee reserves the right to use the comments we receive, in whole or in part, and to use the commenter's name and location, in any medium. See also the Copyright, Privacy, and Terms & Conditions.
Have a suggestion for a new topic? Please use the Site Contact Form.