SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton (News Analysis) May 20, 2014 — Diversified is taking another step back from the Seafood Industry, by closing its flagship publication Seafood Business.
Seafood Business began in 1981 when it took over a quarterly publication called Pacific Packers Report.
During the 1980's and 1990's, the bi-monthly publication became the standard for seafood magazines. In 1999 the magazine became monthly.
However, during this time Diversified Communications went from being a seafood industry based company with some media interests, to a global tradeshow producer, where its seafood shows are now just a small part of its overall business. Diversified now has 800 employees, and Seafood Business just no longer fit into its strategy.
This growth was led by Nancy Hasselback, herself a former commercial fisherman, who had a deep personal commitment to the Seafood Industry. In 1993 Nancy led a company that had four trade shows and three magazines, concentrated in Seafood.
When she retired as CEO in 2013, the company had grown to have over 90 shows and product divisions, including such things as the primary care and medical specialty industry, with the acquisition of Pri-Med and Amazing Charts, a leading electronic health record company.
Seafood Business magazine has gotten noticeably smaller and thinner over the years, as more content has moved online.
Mary Larkin, Group Vice President for Diversified, who also currently has responsibility for Seafood Business, told the Portland press that she wants to provide more timely news to its readers and reach a global audience.
“We just need to reach our customers daily instead of monthly,” Larkin said.
One person is being laid off, Fiona Robinson, who has been the editor of Seafood Business for many years.
There are also other staffing changes, said Larkin.
Not all print magazines are dying. Urner Barry has found a successful publishing formula with its Reporter. Started in 2006 at the request of major companies who wanted a print advertising vehicle, the magazine is now in its 9th year, and focuses on the center of the plate proteins – meat, poultry and seafood.
Running 60 to 70 pages a month, the magazine is an all around general interest magazine for retail protein buyers. To see a sample, or subscribe to the free magazine, click here.
Diversified will continue to offer its electronic news service – Seafood Source – which is part of a crowded competitive field in news reporting, helps them build the lists for their trade show attendees and exhibitors.
This story originally appeared on Seafood.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.