In August 2004, the first issue of Woodbury Magazine arrived in local homes. That issue featured our first prep elite students, Woodbury High School’s Erica Schiffler, Krystle Kallman and Nick Gunderson on the cover, as well as articles on Chickadee Cottage and KSTP-TV’s Mike Binkley (now with WCCO-TV).
The Woodbury community embraced the publication right from the start. And while we’ve redesigned the magazine, added departments and expanded our annual Best of Woodbury to include a special issue and a well-attended event honoring the finalists, the mission of the magazine remains the same: to reflect the people, places and activities of Woodbury.
“Woodbury Magazine is also an excellent vehicle for local and area businesses to target Woodbury customers,” says Tamara Prato, group publisher. “The magazine’s readers are engaged readers who look forward to seeing the magazine in their mailbox each month.”
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, here’s a look back at the history of the magazine and how it comes together each month.
Meet our Publisher
The original publisher of Woodbury Magazine was Metropolitan Media Group, a Bloomington company that at one time published up to 22 magazines, followed by a brief ownership stint by Petters Group Worldwide. In the fall of 2008, Woodbury Magazine was purchased by Tiger Oak Media, a multi-dimensional media firm that delivers content to targeted audiences through glossy magazines as well as through branded websites, apps, social media and high-profile events.
In addition to Woodbury Magazine, Tiger Oak publishes eight other community lifestyle magazines: Edina Magazine, Lake Minnetonka Magazine, Maple Grove Magazine, Plymouth Magazine, Southwest Metro Magazine, St. Louis Park Magazine, White Bear Lake Magazine and Seattle Magazine. With offices in downtown Minneapolis near the site of the future Minnesota Vikings stadium, Tiger Oak publishes more than 27 publications in a dozen markets, including two business magazines (Minnesota Business and Seattle Business), six bridal magazines (including Minnesota Bride), and 10 meetings and events magazines (including Minnesota Meetings and Events).
Community Involvement
Woodbury Magazine is the proud sponsor of the Focus on Woodbury photo contest, which drew a record 524 entries in 2013. Selected images from the contest are featured on the Last Glance page in the magazine each month. (Read more about this year’s contest on page 12.) We also are a sponsor of Woodbury Days and various Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce events including the Expo, Gala and golf tournament.
Story Ideas
Planning for each issue of Woodbury Magazine starts four months prior to publication. Our editorial advisory board (listed in the masthead on page 9) is a strong source of ideas and contacts; board members serve a two-year term. We also receive countless emails and phone calls from people throughout the community with suggestions for story ideas.
Magazine Team
Laura Haraldson was the original editor of Woodbury Magazine, followed by a couple of short-term interim editors, Liz Kohman and Kate Seitz. Since November 2008, Debbie Musser has served as editor, with responsibility for all editorial content. Articles are written by Musser, staff writers, contributing writers and editorial interns. A hallmark of the magazine is our superior design and photography, headed by art director Jacqueline Hagyard and lead staff photographer Tate Carlson, along with staff photographers Emily J. Davis and Amanda Gahler. The team is supported by Tiger Oak’s production, circulation, marketing and promotions, web, sales and administration staff.
Readership
Woodbury Magazine is mailed each month to 10,000 local households in the 55125 and 55129 zip codes. The subscription is free for anyone living in Woodbury; if you do not live in Woodbury, the subscription is $24/year. Woodbury Magazine also publishes a monthly e-newsletter and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
