After 30 years in the community and 20 years in print, duPont Registry Tampa Bay (stylized “duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay) is shifting to a digital-only model.
Publisher/CEO Thomas L. duPont made the announcement in a letter to readers, adding that the shift from a bi-monthly print magazine to an online-only format will be effective on July 1. That means that the magazine’s June health and happiness issue is last print edition of the publication for now.
“Make no mistake, I love magazines, and they have a long tenure here and elsewhere, but what we do is very niche,” duPont told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay on Friday morning. “There’s a natural delay in publishing magazines, and our readers want to see our iconic brand on their phones and on their computers every day.”
Citing market research, duPont told readers that publishing bi-monthly “is simply not the best way to reach the affluent residents of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.”
He also pointed at Motorsports Network’s recent acquisition of duPont Registry auto and home magazines—separate entities from duPont Registry Tampa Bay and published by a different company—played a role in the pivot.
duPont would not go into details, but told CL that duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay’s masthead—which features Editor-In-Chief David Warner (formerly of CL), Creative Director Bruce Bicknell and 11 other names—will need to be rearranged as the magazine moves towards its digital future.
Warner told CL that he'll continue to act as editor-in-chief through June. In a letter to duPont Registry Tampa Bay contributors, Warner detailed the news and how it affects them.
"First, a big thank you: Your skilled contributions have helped make dRTB a better magazine, and I couldn't be more grateful to you for accompanying me on this fascinating and enjoyable editorial journey," Warner wrote to his editorial contributors, telling them he would keep working on the website and Facebook page for now. "Since we will not be producing a July/August print edition, however, I won’t be able to accept any pitches for print content."
"For myself, while still working out these final details, I’m actively seeking other opportunities, with Tom’s blessing," Warner added. "I sincerely hope I get to work with you again, and please accept my apologies for the mass email. Whatever the future holds for dRTB, I am proud of what we accomplished and will always value the work we did together."
UPDATED: 06/11/21 11:15 a.m. Updated with comment from dRTB's David Warner.
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