Departures (magazine)

Departures is an American digital lifestyle magazine with a focus on luxury and travel for holders of American Express Platinum and Centurion charge cards. It was formerly a print magazine published by Meredith Corporation under an arrangement with American Express. On March 25, 2021, it was announced that Departures would cease print publication, and, according to an American Express statement, transition "to a new digital-first editorial platform."[2] American Express announced that it was ending its publishing deal with Meredith.[3]

Departures
EditorSkye Parrott
Former editors
  • Richard David Story (2000–2017)
  • Jeffries Blackerby (2017–2021)
CategoriesAdvertising mail
Frequency7 times per year
Circulation1,157,040[1]
Founded1984 (1984)[1]
Final issuePrint: May/June 2021
Digital: still publishing
CompanyAmerican Express
CountryUnited States
Based inNew York City
Websitewww.departures.com

The longtime editor-in-chief was Richard David Story, who had previously worked at Vogue and Esquire. He spent 17 years at Departures before leaving in 2017. "Richard had the essential ingredient required of a great editor – massive curiosity", said Graydon Carter, the longtime editor of Vanity Fair. "It carried him through an enviable run at Departures." In May 2017, Jeffries Blackerby was named editor-in-chief. From 2002 to 2006, he had been senior editor at Departures before going on to positions at the New York Times and Vogue.[4] In March 2021, with the suspension of the print edition, Blackerby exited the company.[3]

Departures had been purchased from American Express Publishing by Time Inc. on October 1, 2013, along with sister publication Travel + Leisure.[5] In 2017, Meredith purchased Time Inc.'s magazines, including Departures, in a $2.8 billion deal.[6]

At its peak, Departures was said to generate an estimated $50 million a year in revenue.[2] It is known for its colorful layouts and photography, travel essays, and city guides.[7]

International edition
The logo of the international edition, also used by the U.S. edition until 2021

Outside of the United States, a separate version of Departures is published by a different editorial team. Like the American edition, Departures International is owned by American Express; however, it is published by JI Experience GmbH. The editor-in-chief is Christian Schwalbach.[8]

References
  1. "Departures" (PDF). BPA Worldwide. December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  2. Kelly, Keith J. (March 25, 2021). "Meredith/Amex slashes staff, ends print of Departures and Centurion mags". New York Post.
  3. Hopkins, Kathryn (March 25, 2021). "Departures Magazine is Going Digital First and Will No Longer be Published by Meredith". Women's Wear Daily.
  4. Bloomgarden-Smoke, Kara (May 17, 2017). "Time Inc. Names New Editor in Chief of Departures". Women's Wear Daily.
  5. "It's Official: Time Inc. Buys AmEx's Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure Magazines". Ad Age. Crain Communications. September 10, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  6. Johnson, Patt (November 27, 2017). "Meredith purchase of Time will add People, Fortune and Sports Illustrated to its impressive magazine list". Des Moines Register.
  7. "Departures | Life from Unexpected Perspectives".
  8. "Magazine Team". Departures International. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
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