Mar
21

A compelling mix: Smithsonian magazine ranked ‘most interesting’

With subscribers in every U.S. state and several foreign countries, nearly 7 million people read each month’s issue of Smithsonian magazine, a testament to how interesting the magazine can be. And now there’s additional proof of the matter: Affinity, a leading media research company, conducted extensive reader surveys and found Smithsonian the ‘most interesting’ of the 225 magazines it measures. Among the other magazines in the survey were such storied names as Popular Science, National Geographic, The Economist, and The New Yorker.

In a congratulatory note sent to the magazine’s editor and editorial team, Secretary Wayne Clough praised the magazine’s distinction and noted that Smithsonian is not only an important outreach vehicle for the Institution, but can, in fact, be the primary connection to the Smithsonian for many. “What an accomplishment!” he said.

Not finished with naming Smithsonian as the most interesting read, readers also voted the magazine as among the most believable and most trusted, placing it at number two and five in those categories, respectively. “A little recognition never hurts,” said Carey Winfrey, the magazine’s editor since 2001, “but of course what makes the magazine work is that we reflect the Institution’s interests—in history, natural history, science, and the arts.  That’s a pretty compelling mix.”


Posted: 21 March 2011
About the Author:

Scott Stark served as the communications manager for Smithsonian Enterprises from 2005 to 2013 and is a longtime contributor to the Torch. An avid photographer, he created the first “Somewhere in the Smithsonian” mystery game, one of the Torch's most popular features. The Colorado native enjoys combining writing and riding as he explores trails across the country and serves as the Torch's occasional "western correspondent."

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