Culture+Travel

Culture+Travel was launched in 2006, a joint project between James Truman, former head of Conde Nast, and Louise Blouin, a Canadian businesswoman who had created a publishing house of multiple art magazines and books.[2] Truman, originally from Nottingham, England, had wanted to launch an art magazine at Conde Nast, but failed to gain the support of the chief Samuel Irving "Si" Newhouse.[3] Truman subsequently left Conde Nast in January 2005 after 11 years at the publishing house.[2] After meeting Blouin in London, Truman was officially appointed chief executive officer and managing editor of Blouin's investment holding company LTB Holding in October 2005. He aimed at first to launch a new art and travel magazine in the UK,[4] but relocated to Manhattan where the new title, Culture & Travel, launched in October 2006.[2]

Truman's editorial vision was to create a "very, very particular take on travel, for people who travel because they're interested in art, history and culture."[2] The concept was for artists to write articles and for curators to select destinations, rather than hire travel journalists and food critics.[2] The publication began with six full-time staff, with most content provided by well-known freelancers, authors and artists,[5] including award-winning author and screenwriter Peter Feibleman, writer and literary critic William Zinsser, critically acclaimed Irish author Jamie O'Neill, and American architecture critic Herbert Muschamp.[6]

Within the Louise Blouin Media group, the magazine had a higher-priced page to encourage advertisers who were interested in the arts, but were outside the art world, to come on board. Truman stated that "We don't go in and say we want to make money. You say you try to do it right", the high-end travel magazine had an initial controlled circulation of 60,000 with no newsstand sales, as copies of it were delivered directly to a small, dedicated readership.[5]

A magazine launch party was held on September 26, 2006, attended by journalists from the New York Post, The Times, Adweek, The New York Observer and Elle at one of architect Richard Meier's West Street towers, inside the house of Louise Blouin.[7] Former Travel + Leisure creative director Emily Crawford art-directed the first edition of the magazine, which was described as "handsomely designed".[8] Following the launch of Culture & Travel's first edition, Truman stepped down after one year as CEO in October 2006.[9][10]

• Louise Blouin Media

• The Official Culture+Travel website