Shanken receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Magazine Media

Marvin R. Shanken, President and Founder of M. Shanken Communications Inc. received the Lifetime Achievement Award in downtown Manhattan last night. Shanken is publisher and editor of Cigar Aficionado, Wine Spectator, Whiskey Advocate and Market Watch magazines, as well as numerous print and digital newsletters. After a video presentation by renowned sportsman Jim Nantz, Jonathan Newhouse, President of Condé Nast International, introduced Shanken and presented him with the award. "Marvin is among the elite of magazine manufacturers, the geniuses of our company," said Newhouse. He praised Shanken's long history in publishing, particularly its refusal to compromise editorial integrity for advertising revenue. "In today's media landscape, where the walls separating ads and edits don't exist, Marvin maintains an iron curtain." Shanken's publishing success began with the modest acquisition of a wine and spirits industry newsletter called Impact in 1973. Annual revenues from this book amounted to $10,000. He then acquired the struggling Wine Spectator newspaper, which was later redefined to become the successful, glossy magazine it is today, broadening its scope from California to world wines and adding lifestyle coverage. In 1992, he founded Cigar Aficionado despite his company's objections, which paid off right from the start. Shanken's company grew considerably, from a small struggling publishing house to one with millions of readers. Philanthropy was born of all these achievements. Shanken's Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation has raised over $25 million. His Cigar Aficionado Night to Remember dinners have raised more than $20 million for prostate cancer research, and the Els for Autism Pro-Am, created with professional golfer Ernie Els, has raised more than $10 million for autism in just 10 years. Its centerpiece is a school in Jupiter, Florida, called the Els Center of Excellence, which currently has 260 students. Shanken's acceptance speech was brief and visibly emotional on his part. He particularly thanked his wife Hazel and daughters Samantha, Allison and Jessica, who attended the hearing with their husbands. He also thanked the employees of his company. There were eight people in the audience who had worked for him for over 30 years, and another eight who had been with him for over 20 years. "I wouldn't be here without all the people in this room who have given their lives to Mr. Shanken Communications," he said. "Right now, I'm just overwhelmed and I thank you all for coming." At the end of the event, a glass of Nikka From the Barrel Japanese Whiskey (Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year nominee) was offered to all present for a celebratory toast. Article source: David Savona Photo/Jonathan Lockwood Smith