Gulf Shore Media, 941CEO's parent company, announced today that Pam Daniel will retire from her longtime roles as editorial director and editor-in-chief of Sarasota Magazine, effective February 2018, to become editor of special projects for the company. Susan Burns, who has served as the editor of 941CEO for more than a decade, will succeed Daniel as editor-in-chief of Sarasota Magazine. Both 941CEO and Sarasota Magazine were acquired by SagaCity Media in 2015.

“I can’t say how grateful I am to have had the privilege of covering this dynamic city for more than three decades,” says Daniel. “And I am equally grateful to have worked with such talented and passionate colleagues and freelance contributors. Susan and I have worked closely together almost since the beginning of my time here. She is a gifted editor and writer, and her integrity, deep community connections and commitment to excellence will take the magazine to new levels.”

Under Burns' leadership, Sarasota Magazine will expand its coverage to include the best of 941CEO magazine, which is ceasing publication with the November/December 2017 issue. Two of the most popular 941CEO annual features—the Unity Awards and Southwest Florida Women of Distinction—will become lead features in Sarasota Magazine and will involve related
special events, as they have in the past.

“From the days of John Ringling, Sarasota has attracted entrepreneurs and innovators, drawn here by the creative vitality and exceptional quality of life,” says Burns. “Their successes and stories belong in the city’s magazine.”

“New research indicated we were reaching many of the same readers with Sarasota and 941CEO,” adds group publisher Kelley Lavin. “And so many of our Sarasota Magazine readers are active boomers still involved in businesses or serving on corporate boards—they’re interested in enterprising reporting about the region’s vibrant business scene.”

Gulf Shore Media and SagaCity Media will continue to publish 941CEO Daily, a free digital subscription newsletter with deep penetration in the region and exceptionally high open rates. 941CEO subscribers who don’t currently receive Sarasota Magazine will now receive it, and the newsletter will also get a subscription boost by reaching Sarasota Magazine’s digital subscribers. Sarasota’s website also will host more business news, including special digital opportunities for advertisers.

Longtime Gulf Shore Media creative director Gigi Ortwein and Sarasota Magazine executive editor Kay Kipling will work alongside Burns in shaping the magazine’s evolution, building on its recent achievements. This year, Sarasota Magazine was named the country’s best city magazine in its circulation category by the City and Regional Magazine Association; it also won the gold as Best Overall Florida Magazine in its division from the Florida Magazine Association.