Contact: Jon Anne Willow
Phone: 414.372.5351
Milwaukee (WI)—Jon Anne Willow and Mehrdad J. Dalamie, co-Publishers and co-owners of Vital Source Magazine, announced today that philanthropist Christopher Abele has joined Vital Publications, LLC, the magazine’s parent company, as an equity partner and minority owner.
“I’ve watched Vital Source for the last few years, and I’ve been impressed with the magazine’s development” said Abele. “I believe the business has now matured to the point where financial investment makes sense in terms of being able to fuel real growth.”
Abele will not be involved in day-to-day operations or editorial oversight. Instead, his role with the organization will be to facilitate, through investment, the implementation of several specific initiatives, including a circulation increase to 20,000, effective immediately. The circulation development program will also include the addition of infrastructure that will allow Vital Source to better serve its current distribution customers, which include Queer Life News, Natural Awakenings Magazine and several local arts groups for whom Vital Source distributes literature and postcards, and to expand that line of the business. A website redesign will also begin immediately.
Vital Source is a local monthly arts, culture and social commentary magazine, available for free at over 600 locations in the four-county area. The magazine was launched in January of 2002 as a tabloid with an initial circulation of 6,000 and a volunteer staff.
Jon Anne Willow is Editor in Chief and co-Publisher of Vital Source, and President-elect of the Milwaukee Press Club. Mehrdad J. Dalamie is co-Publisher of Vital Source. The two also co-own Bremen Café in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood.
