Since 1879, Musical Merchandise Review has been a stalwart of the musical instrument industry. It has published through good times and bad: wars, depressions, recessions, and events that changed the business forever, like the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. MMR has created awareness of new products, best practices, and has kept an ever-evolving industry up-to-date and current with the latest developments in products and retail business trends.
Now it is time to begin a new chapter. It is with great pride and a keen sense of responsibility that I announce that my Timeless Communications has acquired MMR and its sister publications SBO, JAZZed, and Choral Director.
As Butch Cassidy said to the Sundance Kid, you are likely thinking, “Who are these guys?”
Timeless Communications is a 14-year-old business-to-business trade publishing company which, up until this point, has been working in the entertainment technology sector, publishing Projection, Lights & Staging News, FRONT of HOUSE, and Stage Directions. Like your businesses, we are a hard working, entrepreneurial company which has weathered the many storms of the past decade and a half. We’ve been successful in bringing innovation and value to our subscribers and advertisers.
We won’t let any grass grow under our feet in implementing these innovations. Our first one is to announce that longtime MMR writer Kevin Mitchell will be taking over as the editorial director of MMR. Many of you know Kevin already. He is a published author of 11 books and a working jazz musician, and since 1999 has penned scores of articles for MMR, including many of its cover stories. Kevin is dedicated to the musical instrument industry and will be a great asset for you. Indispensable to the success of this venture is that the current editorial team, headed by Christian Wissmuller, and the stellar sales team headed by Rick Kessel, is remaining in place. As previously reported, Sid Davis is off to a much deserved retirement, but will stay on as a consultant and handle the scholarship and Award programs, including the Dealers’ Choice and Don Johnson Awards.
We will also be utilizing George Petersen, the editor of FRONT of HOUSE, to keep his finger on the pulse of the MI audio market along with Justin Lang, editor of Projection, Lights & Staging News, to make sure you are well aware of the latest in DJ and club lighting, as well.
Other action items in the next 90 days will include a new digital edition interface. The new digital edition is much easier to navigate and will have many more features and apps for all mobile devices. We also have a new look for the magazine that I hope you enjoy. There will be many more changes to come…
I hope you will be as excited as we are, as together we venture into a new era of MMR. Feel free to call or email me at tlowe@TimelessCom.com. I look forward to getting to know you and hearing input on how to make a great institution even more viable for you.
