Pace Communications : About Us

NEW YORK, NY September 27, 2005—Pace Communications, the world’s largest private custom-publishing company, in collaboration with renowned magazine-designer Robert Priest, today unveiled the newly redesigned Sky, the award-winning inflight publication for Delta Air Lines.

The redesign has 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.

“Readers will immediately be struck by Sky’s new look and content,” said Duncan Christy, Editorial Director at Sky, who led the redesign. “Sky has always been a great read, as well as a welcome diversion and valuable resource for Delta’s travelers. Now it’s even more so.”

The content of the magazine is reconstituted to reflect the way we live and travel now. The typography, under the master hand of New York designer Robert Priest, is striking and compelling. Popular features from the previous design are retained and reformatted. New features and departments join the magazine, from the frivolous delights of “Le Shopping” to the intellectual challenges of “Thought Leader.” Great travel deals will be featured every month, told through the arch eye of travel correspondent “Wanda Lust.”

“Sky has chosen a half-decade’s interval to pause, listen to what our readers are saying and analyze where Delta is going,” said Craig Waller, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Pace Communications. “We have always believed that a great magazine is a great companion, and intend this next Sky to be nothing less than that for Delta’s affluent and influential business and leisure travelers.”

Pace Communications produces three of the most award-winning inflight magazines in the nation under its newly-created Pace Airline Media coalition. Delta Sky, United Hemispheres and US Airways Attaché represent 42% of all scheduled passengers in the U.S., accounting for 6.18 million readers a month with a median annual household income of more than $95,000.

In addition to its publications, the Pace Airline Media grouping consists of other integrated marketing products and multimedia channels including inflight TV programming, VIP clubs, and meal tray cards.

Other features in the October inaugural issue of the redesigned Sky include:

Learning Curves—Can Sky correspondent Bob Spitz learn to become a French chef in just one day? Could he be taken under the wing of “the unfussiest chef this side of Jupiter” and produce something worth eating? Find out.

Postcards— Savannah’s squares may be public, but they feel private. Their massive gnarled oaks, dripping with Spanish moss, create an insular mood, not to mention a deep shade. Sky takes readers on a narrative and photographic tour of the elegant geometry of the classic Southern town.

Spa Hound—She may very well have the best job in the world. Sky’s spa columnist, Mary Alice Kellogg, takes readers inside the new Spa Bellagio in Las Vegas—55,000 square feet of Zen cool, with waterfalls travertine marble, bleached walnut, candles and cushy chairs galore. Hear how this pinnacle of gambling and entertainment is revolutionizing relaxation and has become a dream come true for the “pampering-challenged.”

Style and Value—Can it be true? According to Sky, yes, indeed, you can be fashionable and frugal too. From gallivanting through the Galapagos to vodka sampling in Chicago, Sky has the best advice for all travelers.

The minds behind Sky:

Duncan Christy, Editorial Director, Sky: Christy is a prolific editor and feature writer with experience in all facets of magazine publishing. He was one of the co-founders of Forbes FYI, the lifestyle magazine from Forbes that was called “one of the most successful startups of the ’90s.” Christy has worked with Pace Communications for nearly 10 years where he has helped create magazines and other media for a variety of clients. Christy will be responsible for all editorial planning and execution.

Robert Priest, Creative Director, Priest Media: Priest employs a sophisticated approach to photography, typography and design, creating a distinct look for Sky. Priest’s previous designs have been seen in the pages of GQ, O at Home, and More.

Craig Waller, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Pace Communications: Waller is an acknowledged expert on in-flight media and the author of several reports and articles in this field. As President of the IMB (the European In-Flight Media Bureau) before he joined Pace Communications, Waller led the crusade for airline magazines to be measured on Pan-European Readership surveys against paid for media. He was publisher of British Airways’ High Life for a dozen years until 2001. High Life was recognized in 2000 by the UK’s Campaign magazine as one of the ‘Top 10 magazines of the Millennium.’