What recession? What print media troubles? Seasoned editor and sales director finally get the chutzpah to go off on their own
OLATHE, Kan., June 9, 2009 — Warren Thayer and Paul Chapa have left BNP Media’s “Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Retailer” to launch “Frozen & Dairy Buyer” magazine, which will debut late this summer.
“I’ve wanted to do this since I was about 11,” said Thayer. “Although I’ve written about this industry for many years, I just never dared go off on my own. Somehow, despite the naysayers, this just seemed like the right time. We will bring a unique and useful offering to the market.”
Chapa added that “Besides the magazine, we plan a strong web presence and will offer innovative partnering opportunities to bring buyer and seller together. I’ve always enjoyed helping businesses grow and am excited about our plans to shake things up.”
The co-publishers worked together on the repositioning of “Private Label Buyer” magazine before teaming up for the launch of “Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Retailer” seven years ago. For both magazines, Thayer was associate publisher and editorial director, while Chapa was associate publisher and sales manager.
“Frozen & Dairy Buyer” will focus on growing profitable sales of frozen and dairy foods in all retail channels. It will publish monthly, with the exception of a January-February issue. Chapa will work from Olathe, Kan., and Thayer will be based in Norwich, Vt.
Thayer has written about retail for most of his career and became editor of “Frozen Food Age” in New York City about 20 years ago. After 13 years there, he joined Stagnito Communications in 2000, working first on “PLBuyer” and then as editor and associate publisher of “Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Retailer,” which was launched in 2003. A frequent speaker at industry events, Warren has written for “Business Week” and a variety of other publications, and has appeared twice on CNN. He consults for packaged goods companies and research firms in the supermarket industry. An avid hiker and kayaker, he is a volunteer firefighter and the town meeting moderator in Norwich.
Early in his career, Chapa was in the Yellow Page publishing industry before joining Sosland Publishing in Kansas City, where he quickly led “Meat & Poultry” magazine from the No. 3 position to the dominant leader. In 2000, he joined Stagnito Communications, where he worked with Thayer on “PL Buyer.” Three years later, Paul and Warren teamed up on the launch of “Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Retailer.” They went up against “Frozen Food Age,” which had dominated the industry for more than 50 years before it ceased publishing last October. Paul’s unique selling style combines strong personal relationships with customers and a consultative approach where he helps advertisers increase their sales and profitability. You can often find Paul catching the wind on his Harley or playing the occasional gig with his band, SmokeRing.
Chapa can be reached at 913-481-5060 or at . Thayer can be reached at 603-252-0507, or at .
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