About ASME

The American Society of Magazine Editors is the principal organization for magazine journalists in the United States. The 700 members of ASME include the editorial leaders of most major consumer and business magazines published in print and online. Founded in 1963, ASME works to defend the First Amendment, protect editorial independence and support the development of journalism. ASME sponsors the National Magazine Awards in association with the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

ASME serves its members through varied programs including:

The National Magazine Awards

The National Magazine Awards have been presented each year since 1966. In the first four years single awards were given to Look (1966), Life (1967), Newsweek (1968) and American Machinist (1969). Subsequently, in response to the variety of editorial content and visual presentation in magazines the categories were expanded. The awards are sponsored by ASME in association with the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

The Magazine Internship Program

The internship program integrates the interests of editors, journalism schools, and college students working toward careers in magazine journalism. Started in 1967, the program has served more than 1,700 students and more than 200 different magazines have hosted interns.

Forums 

Forums are programmed to deal with problems directly concerning editors and the editing of magazines. Past forums have focused on current legal issues facing editors, effective print and online integration, the perfect cover and challenges at the newsstand.

Member Lunches/Roundtables

Member lunches provide a forum for members (and their guests) to hear from a variety of prominent speakers. At ASME's more informal roundtable lunches, editors talk about new things they are doing with their magazines or address more global topics. 

Career Development Workshops

Career development workshops provide junior editors (with up to four years' experience) the opportunity to learn from their more senior colleagues.  In addition for evening seminars, ASME sponsors an annual two-day intensive magazine workshop.


American Magazine Conference

AMC is sponsored jointly by ASME and MPA, and provides an interchange for editors and publishers on the dynamics of the magazine market and the economics of magazine publishing.