Utne Magazine Names New Editor in Chief, Executive Editor & Other Key Staff Positions
Utne Magazine names CEO Nina Utne Editor in Chief and Senior Editor David Schimke to Executive Editor Post. The publication also announces Laine Bergeson as Associate Editor, Julie Hanus as Editorial Assistant and Leif Utne as Staff Writer.
MINNEAPOLIS (PRWEB) October 20, 2005
Nina Utne, Chair, CEO and proprietor of the 21-year-old alternative lifestyle magazine Utne – founded by her husband, Eric – has become Editor in Chief, while Senior Editor David Schimke assumes the Executive Editor post, according to Utne Publisher Judy Rudrud. Laine Bergeson also was named Associate Editor, while Julie Hanus was appointed Editorial Assistant and Leif Utne Staff Writer.
“We know our new Editor in Chief will continue to create one of the most influential magazines available in the American media, featuring stories that often scoop the larger, more mainstream publications based on the East and West coasts,” Rudrud says.
“David Schimke has always demonstrated superior editorial judgment and skilled management abilities as both a Senior Editor at Utne and as our acting interim Executive Editor. We’re looking forward to their dynamic teamwork and to utilizing the experience and enthusiasm of our new Associate Editor, Laine Bergeson, Editorial Assistant Julie Hanus and Staff Writer Leif Utne.”
"For more than 20 years, Utne has given readers the best news, features and insights from the alternative and independent media, along with provocative original writing,” says Nina Utne. “While the information landscape has changed enormously over that time, our mission remains the same: to discern and distill what is essential and to communicate it compellingly.”
“Now, more than ever, people need a trusted filter for info overload. We serve as that filter, with our unique combination of original writing along with edited reprints. I'm excited to be working with our newly appointed staff during this period, and with Dave as the Executive Editor. He¹s one of the strongest writers, editors and thinkers this magazine has ever employed. Together with our other editors, writers and contributors, we will continue to present a singular brand of journalism for both readers and advertisers.”
“Loyal and first-time Utne readers will be pleased to know that the magazine will feature the finest independent journalism and alternative cultural coverage available. And, as always, will keep readers abreast of trends and ideas yet to be discovered by the mainstream,” notes Schimke. “While print publications struggle to keep pace with the changing media landscape, we’re confident that by staying in touch with our unique source base and passion for the untold story, we will continue to be a must have for those who want an engaging and entertaining read.”
About David Schimke
Prior to entering the magazine world, David Schimke spent 10 years working for alternative newsweeklies as both writer and editor. His political reporting, media analysis, arts criticism and feature writing were honored on three occasions by the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and garnered a half-dozen Page One Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
"Rack ‘Em Up,” a profile he penned about a young pool hustler, was recognized in Houghton-Mifflin’s 1999 edition of The Best American Sports Writing. After a short stint as managing editor for Experience Life – a newsstand title produced by the publicly held health club chain, Lifetime Fitness – Schimke joined Utne as Senior Editor in September 2004. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Stacey, and is collaborating with photographer Michael Dvorak on a book about a little-known, now-defunct jazz club in St. Paul, Minnesota.
About Utne
Utne is a national, progressive-lifestyle magazine with an audience of nearly 600,000, now celebrating more than 20 years of publication. Since 1984, it has been a leading voice for the alternative and independent press, bringing readers the “other side of the story" on issues ranging from the environment to the economy and from politics to pop culture. Utne provokes thought and inspires action by offering the best of the independent press as well as compelling original writing. Read more at www. utne. com.
Contact:
Lisa Proctor, Utne Marketing Director
612-338-5040, ext. 338; lproctor@utne. com
Or Martin Keller/Media Savant Communications Co.
612-729-8585 / mkeller@mediasavantcom. com
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