AZ Big Media’s history is one of evolution and expansion. The company originally started out with just one magazine, when President and CEO Mike Atkinson purchased the publishing enterprise in 1985. The sole magazine, originally called Arizona Office Guide to Phoenix, was a quarterly controlled circulation magazine of 7,000 that focused on the Phoenix office market. The magazine changed names several times until 1988, when it changed to its current title, Arizona Business Magazine, and began covering the entire Arizona business market with a bi-monthly circulation of 25,000.
AZ Big Media has grown exponentially since then to cover a multitude of niche topics and industries within its various publications, and become a host for a series of publication-related events and statewide expos.
MAGAZINES
AZ Big Media publishes more than seven different magazines — ranging from bi-monthly to annual publications — including:
The state’s leading bi-monthly business publication for high-level corporate executives and business owners.
AZRE | Arizona Commercial Real Estate Magazine
A bi-monthly publication that debuted in January 2005, and covers trends throughout various market sectors and commercial real estate related industries with a 25,000 circulation. AZRE began publishing its own annual publication, People to Know, in 2008.
An annual resource guide and a useful informative tool that further supports the local industry’s mission to build great communities throughout the state of Arizona. AZRE created this publication to open new lines of communication, better inform those who enter our state, as well as connect natives who have seen the state prosper and grow over the years.
Covering the high-end residential marketplace, this quarterly publication was launched in 1993 as Arizona Lifestyle Magazine. The name changed to Scottsdale Home & Design in 2006 and finally to Scottsdale Living in 2011. Scottsale Living is a lifestyle magazine that includes two parts: Home, Garden & Design; and Health, Beauty & Lifestyle.
Created in 1997, this annual publication is the outcome of the largest business opinion poll in Arizona. The general public votes on business and leisure activities of the state’s business professionals to select the best of the best.
This bi-annual magazine is the perfect travel guide for visitors and locals to some of the best places and secrets in the Grand Canyon State. The magazine also publishes Play Ball, an annual guide to Cactus League spring training in Arizona.
Part of Experience AZ, Play Ball is an annual guide to the upcoming seasons of Cactus League spring training baseball in Arizona. This publication includes the complete 2012 Cactus League spring training schedule, as well as everything you need to know about the stadiums and 15 teams that call Arizona home in February and March of each year — and more.
An annual publication showcasing the individuals that are performing at the top of their game.
EVENTS
AZ Big Media presents special events and award receptions throughout the year for several of its publications.
Arizona Business Magazine
Arizona Corporate Counsel Awards
Recognizes in-house counsel and attorneys for extraordinary legal skill and achievement across a full range of in-house responsibility, exemplary leadership, and for contributions to the Arizona community at large.Arizona Real Estate Achievement Awards
The AREA Awards, are Arizona’s most prestigious residential real estate awards. Arizona’s best and brightest real estate companies, real estate agents and residential communities are honored by the AREA Awards.Best of the Best Awards
Recognizes the year’s No. 1 companies as showcased in Ranking Arizona, and pays special tribute to 10 companies for being the “Best of the Best.”CFO of the Year Awards
These awards are given to professionals for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards.Health Care Leadership Awards
Recognizes the accomplishments of individuals and organizations that have made strides in helping Arizonans receive better health care.Industry Leaders of Arizona
Celebrates top leaders in key industries in Arizona and recognizes the contributions and impacts these top leaders in key industries have within Arizona.Most Admired Companies Awards
Recognizes the contributions and impact local companies bring to the state. They’re acknowledged as one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies.
AZRE | Arizona Commercial Real Estate Magazine
RED Awards
Recognizes the biggest, best and most notable commercial real estate projects of the year, with special recognition to those development teams involved in the winning projects.
Ranking Arizona
Best of the Best Awards
Recognizes the year’s No. 1 companies as showcased in Ranking Arizona, and pays special tribute to 10 companies for being the “Best of the Best.”
EXPOS
Over the years, AZ Big Media has expanded its reach beyond publishing to produce a series of highly successful expos. We now have three super expos, comprised of three smaller expos, occurring throughout the year.
Scottsdale Super Expo – Spring & Fall
Home & Garden Show
Offering hundreds of home products and services for homeowners and builders alike, the Home & Garden Show is the longest-running expo of its kind in Arizona. Hand selecting only the top of the line exhibitors to participate, the expo features countless home-related items, such as kitchen amenities, outdoor products, pools, flooring, solar and more.
BIG Green Expo
The BIG Green Expo is the largest green conference in Arizona. The expo showcases sustainable products and services impacting every area of life, and targets both the commercial and residential industries.
Baby Boomer Health Fair
Calling all Baby Boomers — this expo’s specifically for you! Check out the latest in finance, travel, fashion and beauty, business, health and fitness, food and everything in between for the largest demographic in the country, the Baby Boomers.
Women’s Expo
Grab your girlfriends and get ready to shop till you drop at the Women’s Expo. Find everything from the latest fashions and handbags, to face creams and styling products. Indulge yourself with some retail therapy, spa treatments and makeovers in this fun and unique section within the Scottsdale Super Expo.
Shape Up US
We aim to empower children and families to lead healthier, happier and more meaningful lives with tools to help arrest childhood cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. By creating a circle of wellness education that flows from teacher to student, parents, grandparents, and the entire community, we hope to energize and encourage individuals and groups to inspire others to seek similar goals.
WEBSITES
Although magazines have always been the core of AZ Big Media, the company is embracing the digital age with seven websites.
AZBigMedia.com, the company’s corporate website, features news about the events, awards, expos and magazines AZ Big Media produces.
AZNow.Biz debuted in Sept. 2010 as the Web companion to Arizona Business Magazine. However, it is much more than a companion; it is a forum for the Arizona business community and all Arizonans to interact and share information. AZNow.Biz’s goal is to educate, inform and entertain — the conversation starts NOW.
Arizona Commercial Real Estate | AZRE magazine’s website, AZREmagazine.com, launched October 2011. Here, you’ll find archived articles from past issues of the magazine, as well as a discussion board, articles from industry experts, newest deals and closed sales and the latest news in the commercial real estate world.
ExperienceAZOnline.com offers everything found within the Experience AZ magazine, including statewide activities as well as options for lodging, dining, shopping, and much more. But on Experience AZ’s website, you’ll always find timely deals, travel offers, articles and blogs. In fact, you — the visitor and reader — have the ability to register to the website, which means you’ll have the ability to submit blogs, photos and more.
Scottsdale Living magazine has not only tripled in size, it has launched a website, too — ScottsdaleLivingMagazine.com. Keep up with the latest beauty, health and lifestyle trends, as well as home, design and garden trends in the Scottsdale area. Also, keep up to date with current events in both Scottsdale and the Valley with our photo galleries, recaps and Date Night suggestions.
RankingAZ.com is the forum to cast your vote for the business you want to appear in Ranking AZ, the largest business opinion poll in Arizona.
AZBusinessLeaders.com is the forum to cast your nomination for the individuals that are performing at the top of their game.
