TOB Magazine

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22017 marks a new year, a new era of exciting times for
Kretek International’s Tobacco Media Group (TMG)
and more specifically, for Tobacco Business magazine. For
many years TMG has successfully led the market in
helping specialty tobacco manufacturers and retailers
increase their sales and market share, with groundbreak-
ing publications and trade shows. In the new year, this
will not change. However, you will see a renewed com-
mitment from TMG to become an industry leader and
partner to all in the tobacco industry.
When I was first approached about the opportunity to
join the company, I was naturally drawn to the possibil-
ities and potential for growth that I saw in these brands.
I’ve spent 15 years working in the publishing and me-
dia industry, including the magazines Tobacconist, Pipes
& Tobacco, Vapor Voice and Cigars & Leisure. My vision
for this publication is simple: we will provide you—the
manufacturer, the retailer, the CEO, the employee, the
entrepreneur—with the tools and information you need
to break new ground. How will we do this? With a rein-
vigorated print publication, a renewed focus on our dig-
ital initiatives, including a revamped website and active
social media presence, and a trade show that will be a
must-attend event.
This change has already begun, and you can see what
an amazing job the TMG team has done with the debut
of a refocused and refreshed Tobacco Business magazine.
The magazine’s editorial team will continue to be led by
Jennifer Gelfand and Renee Covino; Dana Collins will
[ 2 ] TOBACCO BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL [ 01 / 02 | 17 ]
PUBLISHER'S LETTER [ 01 / 02 | 17 ]
oversee the magazine’s design and Lea Edmondson will
keep us all in line as the general manager, as well as assist
with sales. Also new to the magazine is Antoine Reid,
who will be responsible for expanding our presence on
the web and through social media.
An important goal for us here at TMG and Kretek
International is to provide you with real-time, relevant
news coupled with compelling industry stories and out-
standing visuals. It’s also a major goal of ours to provide
a focused, targeted distribution, larger than any other
trade publication in the industry. Reaching 100 percent
of your target market through our publication and trade
shows will provide you with new business leads and in-
crease your reach.
Most importantly: we are here for you. Consider us
your best business tool, your ultimate business partner,
your own platform and soundboard that will help you to
reach other industry professionals and retailers.
I welcome you to join us on this new, fantastic journey
and grow with us as we move forward in a very exciting
direction. I look forward to meeting many of you at this
year’s Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) show in Las Vegas on
January 25-26. If you have any questions or comments,
please email or call me on the number below.
Happy New Year!
Ben Stimpson
919-412-7380
My vision for
this publication
is simple: we
will provide
you—the
manufacturer,
the retailer,
the CEO, the
employee, the
entrepreneur—
with the tools
and information
you need to
break new
ground.
Ushering
in a NewEra