Pace Communications : About Us

GREENSBORO, NC, December, 2005—While the magazine industry as a whole grew at a snail’s pace in 2005, the in-flight category had record gains in advertising revenue according to the latest PIB numbers. Pace Communications, the world’s largest privately-owned custom publisher, and producer of Delta Sky, United Hemispheres and US Airways Attaché, is leading the charge.

In-flights including Sky, Hemispheres and Attaché, were among the top 35 publications—growing 21 percent over last year. The magazine industry as a whole only grew 0.4 percent in reported ad pages.

Hemispheres pages grew 25 percent January through November 2005 compared to January through November 2004. Sky grew 17% and Attaché [which as of January along with America West Magazine will be replaced by US Airways Magazine] grew 21%. The in-flight’s mainstream competitors fell behind in 2005: Forbes fell -4.5%; Fortune -10.3%; Conde Nast Traveler -2.4%; Travel+Leisure -4.4%; Golf Magazine -11.7% and Men's Health -2.3%.

Pace produces Sky,Hemispheres and Attaché—three of the most award-winning in-flight magazines in the nation—under its Pace Airline Media coalition. The publications reach 42% of all scheduled passengers in the U.S. which is 6.18 million readers a month with a median household income of $95,221.

“Advertisers are discovering the power of the affluent and highly influential in-flight audience,” said Craig Waller, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer for Pace Communications. “Each of the magazines has its own strengths and an established readership, but by grouping the titles into a network buy, we are able to show the sheer firepower of the sector in reaching high-powered consumers.”

Pace Communications broke new advertising ground for the in-flight category in 2005. The redesign of Sky in October attracted the attention of a host of advertisers including American Express, Avis, Bose, Bellagio, InterContinental Hotel Group, Mirage, Marriott, Panasonic, Sanyo, 3M, Yamaha and Verizon. A special editorial supplement in the June issues of Attaché and Hemispheres commemorating the historic pairing of Pinehurst and St. Andrews as hosts of the U.S. and British Opens brought in new advertisers Johnnie Walker, Land Rover and Club Glove.

In addition to magazines, the Pace Airline Media grouping consists of other multimedia channels: In-flight TV programming, VIP Clubs, Meal Tray Cards and other integrated marketing products.

Though airlines are experiencing financial challenges, travel was at record levels in 2005. In the US, domestic travel increased 5.4 percent over 2004 and International traffic is up by more than 8 percent. This, along with a magazine redesign and special editorial features is helping fuel record ad page numbers.

About Pace Communications

For more than thirty years, Pace Communications has been producing results-driven, award-winning custom magazines for some of the most recognizable names in the corporate and non-for-profit sectors. Founded and owned by Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, the current Chair of the American Red Cross, Pace is based in Greensboro, N.C. Pace Communications can be found on the Web at www.pacecommunications.com.

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