The Best Magazine Publishing Companies to Work For

November 2009

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The “Best Magazine Publishing Companies to Work For” list is Publishing Executive’s annual ranking of companies that embody the philosophy that a company’s employees are the key to its success, and that employee happiness translates to a more motivated, productive workplace. Many companies on the list show that being a great company isn’t just about offering an attractive benefits package (though that certainly helps).

The companies that made this year’s list create environments where employees are valued and respected professionally, and they also work to help enhance employees’ personal lives. Whether it’s through profit sharing, ample paid time off, flexible work schedules, telecommuting options, child-care services, fitness facilities or adoption assistance, these companies go the extra mile to keep their employees happy—and it shows.

What Makes the 'Best Companies' So Great?

1. Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.
ntmediagroup.com
U.S. Headquarters: Williams Bay, Wis.
Owners/Publishers: Gary Nei, Bill Turner

Nei-Turner specializes in publishing for local demographic areas, chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, and resorts.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 6
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 1%
• Bonus program for all employees: No
• Employee stock option (ESO)/profit-sharing: No/Yes

401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program:

• Employer match: Yes; SIMPLE IRA.
• Maximum match: Up to 3%.

Paid Time Off (PTO):

• Paid holidays/year: 10
• PTO includes: Vacation, sick
• Vacation days available after 1 year: 10
• Maximum no. of vacation days: 15 (after five years of employment)
• Sick days: 5

Telecommuting/flex time:

• Highlights: Some telecommuting options available for salespeople and some management.
• Option to work compressed work weeks: Yes
• Employee assistance program: No
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: No
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: No

Other benefits:

• Some tuition reimbursement.
• Paid time off for community service.
• Quarterly company outings.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Flexible hours.
• Children are occasionally permitted in the office.

Why Nei-Turner thinks it’s a great place to work:

“Our company’s employees are genuine, easy-going people with a passion to create high-quality publications. The company’s flexibility encourages creativity and motivates us to go beyond our comfort level for the utmost success in our fields.”

2. Trade Press Media Group Inc.
tradepress.com
U.S. Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wis.
CEO: Bob Wisniewski

Trade Press produces six b-to-b magazines, trade shows and industry Web sites, including two vertical search engines, as well as offers direct-response products.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 8
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 2.8%
• Bonus program for all employees: No
• ESO/profit-sharing: No/Yes

401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program:

• Employer contribution: A one-time $300 contribution.
• Employer match: 50% of first 4% of salary contribution, and 25% of next 2%, vested on sliding scale.

PTO:

• Paid holidays/year: 11
• PTO includes: Vacation, sick
• Vacation days available after 1 year: 7
• Maximum no. of vacation days: 20
• Sick days: 7

Telecommuting/flex time:

• Highlights: Twelve employees work from home full-time.
• Option to work compressed work weeks: No
• Employee assistance program: Yes
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: No
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: No

Other benefits:

• Social gatherings: summer picnics, potluck luncheons and seasonal parties.
• Maternity-leave benefits for adopting parents.
• Paid volunteer time.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Free baseball tickets.
• Employee library in the company lunch room.
• Flexible work hours to accommodate family needs or commitments.

Why Trade Press thinks it’s a great place to work:

“The core values and unique company culture, along with world-class talent, make Trade Press a great place to work. It is a fun … place to come each day.”

3. Onboard Media Inc.
onboard.com
U.S. Headquarters: Miami Beach, Fla.
President: Robert Eichner

Onboard Media is an integrated media company for the global travel industry. Its services include: publishing, port-shopping programs and custom TV programming. It is the exclusive publisher of in-room publications for many top cruise lines and hotels, including Celebrity, Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean, Caesars and Bally’s.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 7
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 5%
• Bonus program for all employees: Yes
• ESO/profit-sharing: No/No

401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program:

• Employer contribution: Discretionary annual contribution based on percentage of employee’s salary.
• Employer match: Up to 50% of employee contributions.
• Maximum match: 3%.

PTO:

• Paid holidays/year: 8
• PTO includes: One bank of time for vacation, sick and personal.
• PTO available after 1 year: 15

Telecommuting/flex time:

Highlights: Flex-time and some telecommuting options.
• Option to work compressed work weeks: Yes
• Employee assistance program: Yes
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: Yes
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: Yes. Free Zumba exercise classes offered daily. Fitness facilities on-site and nearby.

Other benefits:

• Within walking distance of the beach.
• Offers on-site wellness seminars.
• Employee discounts at local restaurants.
• Domestic partner benefits.
• Paid volunteer time.
• Monthly employee-recognition program awards an American Express gift card.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Employees can bring children to work in the event of child-care issues.
• Employees can modify work hours for family events and activities.

Why Onboard thinks it’s a great place to work:

“Onboard Media is unique because of the incredible people that work here. Our culture and unique work environment is not only what … drives us to succeed, it’s also what makes this a fun … place to come in to work each day!”

4. S&A Cherokee
sacherokee.com
U.S. Headquarters: Cary, N.C.
President: Ron Smith

S&A Cherokee is a full-service communications firm offering media, publishing, public relations, print and digital marketing, and event management. It produces 13 local and national publications, and custom publications.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 9
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 10%
• Bonus program for all employees: Yes
• ESO/profit-sharing: No/No

401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program:

• Employer match: 100% up to 3% of compensation, 50 percent up to 5%.

PTO:

• Paid holidays/year: 9
• PTO includes: One bank of time for vacation, sick and personal.
• PTO available after 1 year: 15

Telecommuting/flex time: No

• Option to work compressed work weeks: No
• Employee assistance program: No
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: No
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: No

Other benefits:

• Adoption assistance.
• Birthday and Christmas bonuses.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Staff events are open to employees and their significant others.

Why S&A Cherokee thinks it’s a great place to work:

“[It is] one of the most entrepreneurial, dynamic and innovative work environments, where we continually pursue new ideas, help clients reach greater heights, foster synergies and creatively achieve success.”

5. SOBeFiT Magazine
sobefitmagazine.com
U.S. Headquarters: Miami, Fla.
Founder/Publisher/Editor-In-Chief: Marta Montenegro

SOBeFiT Magazine is dedicated to providing actionable, expert advice on fitness, nutrition, health and sports for men and women.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 5
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 1%
• Bonus program for all employees: Yes
• ESO/profit-sharing: No/No
• 401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program: No

PTO:

• Paid holidays/year: 6
• PTO includes: Vacation, sick, personal
• Vacation days available after 1 year: 10
• Maximum no. of vacation days: 15
• Sick days: 3
• Personal days: 2

Telecommuting/flex time: No

• Option to work compressed work weeks: No
• Employee assistance program: No
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: No
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: No

Other benefits:

• Tuition reimbursement.
• Monthly team competitions to win gift cards and days off.
• Annual team- and employee-of-the-year awards.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Charitable contributions and involvement.

Why SOBeFiT thinks it’s a great place to work:

“Employees support each other and work hard to accomplish goals as a team with an end result of motivating people to live healthier and fitter lives.”

6. Imagination Publishing
imaginepub.com
U.S. Headquarters: Chicago, Ill.
President: James Meyers

Imagination Publishing is a custom publisher and content marketing agency, producing custom content for print, digital, broadcast, social media and events.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 5
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 8%
• Bonus program for all employees: Yes
• ESO/profit-sharing: No/No

401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program:

• Employer match: 15%
• Maximum match: 7%

PTO:

• Paid holidays/year: 11
• PTO includes: Vacation, sick/personal
• Vacation days available after 1 year: 10
• Maximum no. of vacation days: 25
• Sick/personal days: 5

Telecommuting/flex time:

Highlights: Employees may apply to work from home for a period of time (90-day maximum in 12 months), and for 1 or 2 days/week at a reduced salary.

• Option to work compressed work weeks: No
• Employee assistance program: Yes
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: Yes. Free, 24-hour on-site fitness center.
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: No

Other benefits:

• Elder-care assistance.
• Adoption assistance.
• Tuition reimbursement for approved courses.
• Certified sustainable office space.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Flexible working hours.
• Company-sponsored athletic teams and activities.

Why Imagination thinks it’s a great place to work:

“We run on passion: passion for our clients, our projects, our ideas and for one another. Without passion, it would just be work.”

7. Jameson Publishing
jamesonpublishing.com
U.S. Headquarters: Erie, Pa.
President & General Manager: Jim Roddy

Jameson Publishing produces national IT trade magazines, such as Business Solutions and Integrated Solutions, and generates more than $13 million in annual revenue.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 7
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 5%
• Bonus program for all employees: Yes
• ESO/profit-sharing: No/No

401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program:

• Employer match: No.

PTO:

• Paid holidays/year: 13
• PTO includes: Vacation, sick/personal
• Vacation days available after 1 year: 15
• Maximum no. of vacation days: 15
• Sick/personal days: 6

Telecommuting/flex time: No

• Option to work compressed work weeks: No
• Employee assistance program: Yes
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: Yes; access to fitness facilities at a neighboring university.
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: No

Other benefits:

• Paid time off for child birth or adoption.
• Paid bereavement time.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Additional PTO for employees who travel extensively.
• Weekly overtime limits for employees.

Why Jameson thinks it’s a great place to work:

“Our employees are high-caliber, our work environment is friendly and positive, we offer a generous benefits package, and we offer extensive professional growth.”

8. Vicon Publishing Inc.
viconpublishing.com
U.S. Headquarters: Amherst, N.H.
CEO: Patrick Murphy

Vicon Publishing Inc. publishes ALN Europe, ALN Magazine, Controlled Environments Magazine, Forensic Magazine and DFI News. It also offers educational Web conferences and an annual trade show.

Overview:

• Number of new hires*: 2
• Rate of voluntary turnover*: 5%
• Bonus program for all employees: Yes
• ESO/profit-sharing: No/Yes

401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings program:

• Employer match: 100% of first 3% of employee’s salary contribution; 50% on next 2%.

PTO:

• Paid holidays/year: 10
• PTO includes: Vacation, sick/personal
• Vacation days available after 1 year: 10
• Maximum no. of vacation days: 15
• Sick/personal days: 5

Telecommuting/flex time:

Highlights: Based on position, employees are given a laptop computer with wireless connection to access their documents and e-mail remotely.

• Option to work compressed work weeks: No
• Employee assistance program: No
• On-site exercise and fitness facilities: No
• On-site fitness/wellness programs: No

Other benefits:

• Domestic partner benefits.
• Reimbursement for job-related seminars.
• $600 company contribution to flexible spending account.

Other programs or practices that promote a healthy work/life balance:

• Flexible work schedules to accommodate family needs or commitments.

Why Vicon thinks it’s a great place to work:

“Vicon is a very small, open, friendly, laid-back, casual and comfortable workplace. The management is approachable and receptive to any comments or suggestions, making Vicon a unique place to work.”

*In last fiscal year

If your company didn’t make the “Best Magazine Publishing Companies to Work For” list, take our (unscientific) test to see how your workplace fares on an employee-friendly scale. Benefits are great, but a nurturing corporate culture is what often makes or breaks a company’s employee satisfaction and morale.