I’ve written a column for Malt Advocate magazine for more years than I can remember, and consider myself close friends with publisher John Hansell and his wife and business partner Amy Westlake, and this hit me like a bolt out of the blue! Late yesterday afternoon, into the evening, really, I and the other MA writers received a missive announcing that Malt Advocate Inc., which incorporates the magazine and three WhiskyFest events, has joined M. Shanken Communications Inc., best known as publisher of Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines.
The complete release, also sent out last night, is below. One thing is for sure: this spells big things for Malt Advocate! Congratulations to John, Amy and the whole MA crew.
Malt Advocate, Inc. joins M. Shanken Communications, Inc.
John Hansell stays on as Publisher & Editor; Amy Westlake remains WhiskyFest Director
New York, June 15, 2010: Malt Advocate, Inc. today announced that it is now a part of M. Shanken Communications, Inc. Malt Advocate, Inc. includes Malt Advocate magazine, WhiskyFest New York, WhiskyFest Chicago, and WhiskyFest San Francisco.
M. Shanken Communications, Inc. publishes a variety of consumer and trade publications. They include Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado, Food Arts, Market Watch, and Impact. In addition, the company hosts a number of events across the United States including the New York and New World Wine Experiences, Wine Spectator’s Grand Tours and Cigar Aficionado’s Big Smokes.
John Hansell will remain Malt Advocate magazine’s Publisher & Editor, and Amy Westlake will continue as Director of WhiskyFest events. Malt Advocate, Inc. operations will remain at their current office in Emmaus, PA.
“Amy and I are very proud of our efforts promoting the whisky industry, both with Malt Advocate, which will be celebrating its 20thAnniversary in 2011, and the 25 WhiskyFest events we have hosted over the past 12 years,” notes John Hansell.
“Our activities dovetail perfectly with those of M. Shanken Communications, Inc. from a publication and events standpoint. There are definite synergies that will be achieved between the two companies. The M. Shanken Group will take Malt Advocate magazine and our WhiskyFest events to levels that we could not have achieved on our own. We are very excited about our future together.”
“John and Amy are pioneers in this industry and highly regarded,” commented Marvin R. Shanken, CEO of M. Shanken Communications, Inc. “We are proud to have them on board with us. Their creations—Malt Advocate and WhiskyFest—are benchmarks.”
For additional information, contact Amy Westlake (610. 967.1083 or Amy@maltadvocate.com).
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