Back Stage Plans Relaunch, Announces New Publisher

Back Stage, the performing-arts resource, will launch a new, updated version of its current website and weekly print publication this summer. The venture will solidify Back Stage’s place as the leading media destination for actors and performers of all stripes.

“Stage and screen artists have relied on Back Stage for more than 50 years,” said John Amato, chairman and CEO of Back Stage LLC. “Nothing is more important to me than serving our audience, and we have engaged some of the finest firms in the world to help us do so. With this relaunch, we plan to do nothing less than change the way that performers from New York to Los Angeles—and everywhere in between—build their careers and connect with their communities.”

The publication has partnered with the design firm Charming Robot and the branding agency Red Antler as it pursues a new creative vision. In addition, a number of new hires have been made across multiple departments—among them Vice President and Publisher Charlie Weiss, formerly of Intellisphere (healthcare media) LLC; Sr. Vice President of Finance and Administration Michael Rieck, formerly of Draftcb; Creative Director Kelly Lewis, formerly of OC Weekly; and New York Bureau Chief Mark Peikert, formerly of the New York Press. Additionally, the company has added key personnel in casting-director and community outreach. The company recently parted ways with Publisher and General Manager Jeff Black.

Back Stage has also embarked on a plan to grow its trade-show business, expanding its Actorfest convention programming to Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Detroit, and engaging with sponsors such as Coca-Cola and Raleigh Studios.

“Back Stage is entering an exciting period of unprecedented growth,” said executive editor Daniel Holloway. “We look forward to building upon our legacy as the go-to resource for the performing artist, and becoming even more indispensable to the working performer.”

In the 1st quarter of this year Back Stage has experienced more than 400-percent growth in new subscribers from the same period one year ago, and 20-percent growth in Web traffic. “Our talented and expanding staff is embracing our strategic changes, and we are seeing great success thus far in reestablishing our dominance in performing-arts media and employment facilitation,” added Amato.