Owners Ron and Julie Milton are celebrating 10 years as Scene’s publishers. The publication also has launched a new website and a redesign of monthly features.
SARASOTA, Fla., (release date) – Scene Magazine has released a special commemorative issue in celebration of its 60-year history. The magazine’s February issue covers its seven decades of print and pays homage to many extraordinary and influential people who have helped shape the character of Sarasota/Bradenton.
In conjunction with its 60th anniversary, Scene has launched a new website designed to enhance the digital reader’s experience of its print magazine content, and has also added new and relevant content to its website. A redesign of the magazine’s monthly features and additional monthly features are also new, said Julie Milton, Scene’s Executive Editor and Co-Publisher.
“It’s a privilege to serve our community as publishers of its longest running magazine,” Milton said. “With 720 issues spanning these 60 years, unfortunately we could not possibly show all of the people who deserve to be recognized. Delving into the magazine’s archives was educational and inspirational, and we were so impressed by the panoply of culture, society and achievement in every issue.”
Scene Magazine was founded in 1957 by the late Ward “Bud” Patton as Sun Spot, a source of information about things to do in the area, and evolved through a series of names over the years, including Society Journal, Sarasota Society Journal, Sarasota Scene and finally, Scene. A seminal moment occurred in 1960 when Patton, dining with journalist Art Buchwald and author Joe Hayes, who were Sarasota residents at the time, decided to
change editorial direction with more of an emphasis on people and events rather than local attraction content, Milton said.
After Patton suffered a stroke, long-time associate Chris Seger became publisher and in 2007, he sold the publication to Ron and Julie Milton, who also own another historic Sarasota business, the 43-year-old Café L’Europe, whose location on St. Armands Circle once housed John Ringling’s real estate office.
“Scene Magazine’s 60th anniversary is a very special achievement given the traditional economic ups and downs throughout the decades as well as changes in the publishing industry. We believe Scene has stood the test of time because the magazine has stayed true to the vision of its founder, which was to take lots of photos of good people doing good things and to cover the people who are truly making a difference in our community,” Ron Milton said. “While Julie and I celebrate our 10th anniversary as Scene’s publishers, we look forward to continuing to deliver relevant and inspirational stories of local people, providing a platform for local business owners to tell their stories, and supporting the mission of local nonprofits for many years to come.”
About Scene Magazine:
Scene Magazine, founded in 1957, is Sarasota/Bradenton’s longest running and most widely distributed city publication. Its publishers, Ron and Julie Milton, strive to provide engaging and inspiring editorial that is both inviting and highly relevant. Scene covers the diverse interests of an ever-changing community including arts and culture, philanthropy, lifestyle, health and wellness, education, events and real estate through print, digital and social media platforms. Ron and Julie Milton have donated more than $250,000 annually in advertising space in support of local nonprofits every year since becoming Scene Magazine’s publishers. More information is available by calling 941.365.1119 or online at www.scenesarasota.com.
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