How to Pitch: South

Hold the stereotypes when pitching this Georgia pub

By Shawndra Russell - March 23, 2012

The information in this article is current and accurate.

Circulation: 20,000 with a readership of 80,000
Frequency: Six issues per year
Special issues: Arts and Music (February/March); Outdoors and Adventure (April/May); The Professional Issue (June/July); The Hot Issue, focusing on Southern comfort and style (August/September); and Food and Film featuring "Dine South" (October/November)

Background: South magazine started in 2006 as a cutting-edge publication highlighting the Creative Coast. With an emphasis on its hometown of Savannah, Georgia, it's also distributed in Alabama, South Carolina and Florida with plans to expand its reach to more of the region. The magazine aims to provide a more visually dynamic, edgier publication than its local competitors, leading South to be recognized as an artistic periodical time and again. "Michael [Brooks] started South as a means to exploring the uniqueness of the region. The characters, events, culture and stories are second to none and provide for some of the best reading in the world," former managing editor Lauren Hunsberger said. She joined the team in 2009 with hopes to broaden the magazine's reach and "dig even deeper into the fascinating culture."

As South looks to expand its readership, Brooks and company aim to cover more goings-on in the Coastal Empire, form a lasting connection with the community, and continue to push boundaries with stylistic photography accompanying content that showcases the best of what life below the Mason-Dixon Line has to offer. They want to highlight Savannah and the surrounding areas as ideal places to live, work and play. Its readers are cosmopolitan, educated professionals with the desire to expand their horizons, not relive glory days.

With an eye towards the future, South's content focuses on breaking news presented in a hip, fun voice, and editors are always looking to differentiate the pub by challenging long-standing stereotypes. Translation? You won't find recipes for fried chicken or features on kitschy décor in this publication....