Friday, April 11, 2008

Gospel Today - History & Mission

Gospel Today - Publisher is Teresa Hairston, my mentor and friend

It is the mission of GOSPEL TODAY MAGAZINE to provide a quality publication for the Urban Christian Community that informs, inspires, educates, and empowers. The content of GOSPEL TODAY MAGAZINE includes profiles of inspirational subjects, news coverage of events, information and helpful counsel.

Gospel Today Magazine began in 1989. It was originally called THE GOSPEL SCORE, and was a newsletter designed to provide information about Gospel music to a national audience. Teresa Hairston, the founder of the company, had a vision to impact the world with positive information about the Gospel community.The mission of Gospel Today is: “to inspire, inform, empower and educate people toward godly standards of excellence in their daily lives.”

1989, Hairston, a divorced mother of three small children, raised a meager investment of $300. to start the four-page newsletter that she distributed to about 500 Gospel industry “insiders.” That newsletter has now grown and evolved into Gospel Today, an internationally distributed magazine reaching 250,000 people. She has also expanded the company to include several ancillary products. Hairston is recognized as a leader in her field and has built a positive rapport with many other ministries and industry leaders.

History of Gospel TodayBetween 1991 and 1993, SCORE grew from a newsletter into a glossy magazine and increased its advertising and distribution base (newsstand and subscription) significantly.In 1992, SCORE began focusing more on consumer issues in Gospel music; SCOREBOARD, an industry-specific trade publication, was launched.In 1994, SCORE Magazine was retitled Gospel Today and SCOREBOARD was retitled Gospel Industry Today. Gospel Industry Today was absorbed into Gospel Today in 2005.

Between 1995 and 2005 Gospel Today underwent the following changes:

Refocused editorial content from Gospel music to Christian lifestyle

Redesigned the magazine to be newsstand competitive.

Increased marketing efforts; formed strategic alliances with progressive international ministries

Expanded distribution in mainstream outlets (Wal-Mart, Barnes & Nobles, B Dalton, Blockbuster, etc)

Launched Gospel Today TV as a marketing tool for Gospel Today Magazine.

Relocated offices from Nashville, TN to Atlanta, GA (2002)

Increased brand recognition by assisting in the launch/sponsorship of Gospel Heritage Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of the Gospel Heritage. In 2003, Gospel Today was selected as the OFFICIAL MAGAZINE for T.D. Jakes’ MEGAFEST. The largest Christian Festival in the world. During the next three years, Gospel Today was re-selected. Over 100,000 attendees of MEGAFEST receive a free copy of Gospel Today, as a part of the partnership.

In 2004, Gospel Today restructured it’s advisory board to include key Christian leaders around the country. The new leaders consist of major pastors and organization leaders.

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