Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Anna Traverse, CEO of Contemporary Media, Inc. and Editor-in-Chief for Memphis Magazine, who highlights Memphis Magazine’s 50th anniversary celebration and its role in documenting Memphis’s history over five decades. Anna discusses the company’s approach to covering the city’s diverse topics including music, business, politics, arts, and culture. The April 2026 issue will serve as the official 50th anniversary commemorative publication, featuring wall-to-wall anniversary content that examines different aspects of Memphis over the past 50 years through historical cover archives and expert contributions. Anna expresses hope that readers will gain a deeper appreciation for Memphis’s rich stories and creative innovation, noting the distinctive creative spirit that sets the city apart.
Summary
Contemporary Media, Inc. Overview – Anna provides an overview of Contemporary Media, explaining that it operates Memphis Magazine, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent, and produces custom publishing. She describes their team structure, including editorial, sales, and back office staff members. Jeremy acknowledges Contemporary Media’s long-standing partnership with cityCURRENT, specifically mentioning their recent collaboration with Memphis Magazine and SIM Memphis on the MEMTECH Awards event.
Memphis Magazine Overview and Planning – Anna explains that Memphis Magazine focuses on covering the breadth of what makes Memphis unique, including business, technology, arts, culture, architecture, local history, and food. She describes how each issue develops its own personality and direction, much like exploring different areas of the city. The discussion then shifts to planning for the magazine’s 50th anniversary.
Magazine’s 50th Anniversary Planning – Anna discusses the magazine’s approach to covering its 50th anniversary, revealing they had been planning the commemoration for several months. The official 50th anniversary issue will be the April 2026 edition, which will cover the magazine’s history and reflect on various themes including music, business, politics, and arts. Anna also shares her reflection on the diverse range of covers published over the 50 years, highlighting notable figures who have appeared on the cover and the evolution of cover art styles.
Memphis Magazine 50th Anniversary – Anna discusses the upcoming 50th anniversary special edition of Memphis Magazine, expressing hope that readers will appreciate the rich history and stories of Memphis over the past 50 years. She emphasizes the magazine’s role in reflecting the city’s diverse narratives, characters, and images back to its residents. Anna highlights the goal of inspiring readers to engage more deeply with their surroundings and recognize the city’s fascinating history.
Memphis Creative Community Insights – Anna discusses her inspiration from Memphis’s creative and innovative communities across various sectors, including technology, business, and medicine. She emphasizes the city’s unique ability to create something from almost nothing, attributing this to the people of Memphis and their collaborative spirit.
Memphis Magazine Contact Information Sharing – Anna provides contact information for Memphis Magazine, including their website memphismagazine.com and social media platforms. She mentioned the magazine’s subscription offer of $18 per year for 12 issues and expressed gratitude to the readers and business community involved in the publication.
Visit https://memphismagazine.com/ to learn more.
