10/29/2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin and US Airways Magazine publisher Andrea Alexander today unveiled the magazine’s business feature on West Virginia, appearing in the in-flight magazine’s November 2008 issue.
“We have a great story to tell. And each day in November, we’ll have West Virginia in front of thousands of potential investors on 3,800 flights,” the governor said.
“In the last few years, we’ve made incredible progress through belt-tightening, responsible government and a business-like approach to the way we operate our state. While most other states are struggling, West Virginia is leading the nation in economic growth. It’s gratifying that the national media is beginning to take note.”
US Airways flies to more than 230 destinations, nationally and internationally. It is the leading airline in West Virginia, with 37.4 percent market share of all industry traffic. US Airways Magazine’s monthly readership is more than 2.8 million people, who have a median household income of $99,103. Furthermore, November typically is a high-volume travel month.
“At 31 pages in length, this is perhaps the most extensive business coverage the state has received from a national or global magazine,” explained Carsten Morgan, northeast regional sales director for Pace Airline Media, which publishes the magazine.
The issue includes a look at the state’s higher education system, health care, quality of life, commercial and economic development initiatives – as well as the key industries that call West Virginia home.
“We selected West Virginia as a result of common misconceptions associated with the state. The reality of economic development initiatives and the diversity of the industrial/commercial sector are far more interesting than the perception. This is an untold story that truly is enlightening to our affluent and influential audience,” Morgan said.
The printed magazine is available exclusively on the aircraft. However, a digital version of the West Virginia feature (in pdf format) will be posted online on www.wvopenforbusiness.com after the issue’s official publication on Saturday, Nov. 1. The West Virginia Department of Commerce plans to reprint the feature for use in marketing the state.
Contact Information
Jama Jarrett or Melvin Smith
304-558-2000