Yesterday began speculation about the new magazine that is launching somewhere in Texas. Someone who knows a thing or two about a thing or two told me that he suspects the culprit is SagaCity Media, operators of Portland Monthly, Seattle Met, and other fine publications. I called up there to see if I could learn anything. Here’s how the conversation went down, once I’d reached a SagaCity executive whose name I will keep to myself:
Me: “Hi, this is Tim Rogers. I’m the editor of D Magazine down here. I’m calling to find out whether you’re the guys behind these job ads I’m seeing for a new magazine in a major Texas city.”
SagaCity exec: [pause] “Maybe.”
Me: “Maybe?”
SagaCity exec: “Are you interested in the job?”
Me: “No, no, no. Don’t get the wrong impression. I’m just working on a blog post about these ads we’re seeing down here.”
SagaCity exec: “Oh. Then I need to say, ‘No comment.'”
The executive then gave me contact information for someone who can comment. But I think we already have our answer. I’m hearing the major Texas city is Houston.
UPDATE (9/27/12): Scott Vogel, who co-founded Portland Monthly, sends word: “Thanks for taking the time to get comment from us. We really appreciate the courtesy. I can confirm that SagaCity is indeed actively investigating the possibility of starting a magazine in Houston. Unfortunately, that’s really all I can say at this point, although I expect we’ll have more to share with you soon. I will tell you that it has long been the dream of my sister, Nicole Vogel (SagaCity’s president) and I to launch a great Houston publication. Ironically, although SagaCity publishes several magazines throughout the West, Houston is where the two of us were born and raised. We have a special love for the place and — because we do — feel a strong obligation to get this right, and bring our hometown the kind of magazine it deserves.”
