Media Rumblings
It's another shakeup for Houstonia Magazine: New publisher brought in to give fledgling mag more drive
Having gone nearly a year without a publisher, Houstonia magazine has a new — and surprising name — at the top of the masthead. Diane Caplan, eCommerce & marketing director for Momentum Jaguar Volvo Land Rover Porsche, is joining the city magazine as publisher.
Caplan, who is also part-owner of Edward Sanchez Vanity Lounge, is a fixture on the Houston social scene but has no publishing experience. Her background is in automotive sales, management and e-commerce. She joined Momentum in 2008 after serving as Internet sales manager at Perillo BMW in Chicago for five years. At Momentum, she oversaw all aspects of marketing and e-commerce for four luxury automotive brands. Yet, at at time when car brands with big advertising budgets are looking for outlets, Caplan's connections could come in handy at the fledgling magazine.
"I love my family at Momentum, and believe me there were tears shed when I told my boss I was leaving, but they know that I love new challenges."
"I love my family at Momentum, and believe me there were tears shed when I told my boss I was leaving, but they know that I love new challenges and he would never hold me back from an opportunity like this," Caplan explained in an email. "I know (Houstonia co-owner) Nicole (Vogel) has been looking long and hard for a publisher who could take Houstonia to the next level, and I feel honored that she chose me for the role."
Caplan replaces Lou Delone, who abruptly left the magazine last April just weeks after its inaugural issue was launched. Delone's sudden departure was just the start of the shakeups at the young magazine. John Wilburn — the magazine's heavily-promoted editor-in-chief — found himself out after just three issues. Now, several months before Houstonia will reach its one-year anniversary, there's a new publisher.
Houstonia was created by siblings Scott and Nicole Vogel — Houston natives and co-owners of the magazine's parent company SagaCity Media, which they founded in 2003, and publishes magazines in Seattle, Portland, Ore., Park City, Utah, and several Colorado cities.
After leaving Houstonia, Delone joined Niche Media Holdings, a company that specializes in regional lifestyle magazines. He is publisher of Austin Way, a new magazine that will launch in the Texas capital city in September.
In a press release, SagaCity announced that P’nina Topham, will join Houstonia as associate publisher. Topham most recently served as director of marketing and strategic events at the Houston Chronicle.