about Us:
Our Mission
“Our mission is to be a leading lifestyle publication in the local communications industry, while giving back to those who consider the heart of Florida home. By providing relevant information to enhance our community’s well being, we value the opportunity to entertain, educate and inspire you-- our neighbors.”
Readers
HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida is the leading community/lifestyle magazine for North Central Florida. Our readers range in age from their early 20’s to their 90’s. Our primary focus is on the working families, but articles are geared to reach all segments of the population in the Alachua County area and surrounding markets.
The History of HOME
HOME was first published in October 2007. The name had a dual meaning, intending to feature stories on interior home renovation and design of your structural home and stories of successful people and companies that call our area home. Our company was founded on the premise that each publication takes on a life of their own and readers feedback plays a strong role in the direction of future issues. Overwhelmingly, feedback came in to offer something unique to our area. To meet demand, HOME has evolved into a leading lifestyle publication that covers multiple facets of life, including health and fitness, sports and recreation, fashion, travel, dining, business and community activities. In 2008 we launched our electronic newsletter as a companion to the magazine and it is now distributed monthly to almost 10,000 readers. Due to reader feedback, we expanded the publication from a quarterly to a bimonthly. In 2009 we launched our digital magazine. Current tracking shows an average of over 70,000 hits per month to our website, clearly the highest of any periodical publication in our area.
Distribution
HOME has more than 800 distribution sites. From upscale restaurants to healthcare centers, this free publication is accessible to everyone. HOME believes that everyone should have the ability to read about North Central Florida and its community. By distributing at a variety of locations and offering a digital version on its Web site, HOME reaches a large percentage of our population both through direct mail subscriptions and pick up locations. As part of our efforts to reach current and potential future residents of our community, our publication is available at over 100 doctor’s offices, 75 restaurants, 50 banks/financial institutions and hundreds of retail markets, including but not limited to downtown Gainesville, Thornbrook Village, Haile Village Center, Tioga Town Center, downtown Alachua and more. We are available for pickup at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Gainesville Regional Airport, North Florida Regional Medical Center, Shands at UF and more.
Advertising Opportunities
HOME’s advertisers are local businesses that see the value of partnering with a reputable publication. By taking advantage of advertising with HOME, advertisers have the opportunity to experience a variety of exposures: in the magazine, on the Web site and in the electronic news briefs. Its publisher offers full-service capabilities that allow in-house logo and advertisement design, along with coordination of print, radio, tv, internet and direct mail. Advertisers have the opportunity to be placed in specific sections of the publications, along with opportunities on our website and electronic briefs.
Giving Back
HOME magazine is an active member of the community, acting as a media sponsor and advocate for many of North Central Florida’s charitable organizations, including Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Home Society, Haven Hospice, Boys & Girls Club, Peaceful Paths, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House and more. Through media exposure and volunteer work, HOME currently sponsors over forty non-profit organization events per year. Our team currently is a member of numerous organizations and serves on the Board of Directors for the Child Advocacy Center, the Builder’s Association of North Central Florida and Leadership Gainesville Alumni Association. As described in our Business of the Year application to the Chamber of Commerce, API is a “for-profit company with a not-for-profit heart”.
Advantage Publishing Inc.
HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida is published by Advantage Publishing Inc., a full-service publishing agency located in Gainesville, Fla. Advantage Publishing also produces a building trade publication called Building Trends and several electronic news letters and news briefs. Advantage Publishing also includes disciplines in Web design and advertising—Advantage Web Design and Advantage Advertising Agency.
OUR EDITORIAL DEPARTMENTS INCLUDE:
On the Cover
This section features inspiring leaders that reside right in your neighborhood. Read about what they’re doing to impact your local community and its people.
A Taste of Home
This section includes all you need to know on the hottest restaurants in Gainesville. Whatever you’re craving, we will help you find a restaurant that will satisfy your taste buds.
Community Impact
The story from each issue that is deemed by our editorial staff to have the greatest impact or relevance on our community.
Business
Features and spotlights on local businesses and company leaders will help you decide where to go and who to call to meet your local business needs.
Around the Home
This section highlights current home innovations and the latest trends. This section features home and garden ideas, remodeling and renovation tips, and in-depth coverage of the latest home movements.
Lifestyle
This section is dedicated to all your lifestyle needs. The do’s and don’ts of fashion, travel features, spotlights on local chefs, and articles geared towards older adults will keep you informed and entertained.
Health & Fitness
The Health and Fitness section contains all you need to know to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, diet tips and features on local health and fitness opportunities will help you reach your health and well-being goals.
Community
Our Community section includes spotlights on various events and people in the Heart of Florida. With HOME’s community calendar, all of the exciting local events will be at your fingertips. The calendar focuses on community, culture, sports and recreation. This section also includes our ever popular Around Town-Places We Have Been. This covers cultural events, ribbon cuttings, fashion shows and more.
Sports &Recreation
This section focuses on local sporting events and recreational activities for you and your family to enjoy in your spare time. Whether it’s a local ball game or a glimpse into the area’s beautiful biking trails, HOME will showcase some of the most exciting things to do around town.
Charity
HOME is focused on charity involvement and dedication to the most deserving non-profit organizations in the area. By teaming up with more than 25 organizations and dedicating about 20 percent of each issue to their causes, events and stories, we welcome you to read about and support one that means something to you.