Magazine to debut in April

DSM, a quarterly magazine that targets Des Moines residents with discerning tastes, hits the stands April 14. The social magazine, designed to explore “the good life” of the metropolitan area, is the first of its kind in the Capital City.  

“This is a magazine with attitude,” said DSM’s publisher, Connie Wimer, who also serves as president of Business Publications Corp., publisher of The Des Moines Business Record, Cityview and several magazines. “The articles are opinionated, gossipy and sharp and gleefully fixed on one subject: the people in the upper tiers of Des Moines’ art, business, entertainment and architecture world, as well as coverage of parties and charitable events.”

Each four-color issue of DSM will include a variety of standing features, such as highlights of the best parties and charitable events; a column in which readers share ideas about how to plan a dinner party for the season, complete with menu, recipes and wine selections; an exploration of Des Moines’ best night spots; showcases of great architecture; a look at fashion statements; and a society column.

“Des Moines has seen an increase in higher-end types of experiences and to be able to come up with something that caters to that crowd is a wonderful statement about what Des Moines believes in,” said Chris Greenfield, president of the Downtown Community Alliance.

Wimer said the magazine will appeal to a niche market.

“It follows the whole structure of our company in that we are going after a market that is very defined,” said Wimer. “We will be writing specifically for that market as opposed to being all things to all people.”

A total of 10,000 copies of each issue will be distributed to a specific group of readers. Targeted for individuals with the area’s highest incomes, 5,000 copies will be direct mailed to those whose home value is more than $250,000 and whose household income is a minimum of $135,000. The remaining 5,000 copies of each issue will be distributed by advertisers and select businesses that cater to DSM’s demographic.