Past Press Releases

• September 1, 2006
• August 28, 2006
• August 11, 2006
• January 20, 2006
• March 26, 2001

WINDOW MEDIA, LLC, COMPANY STATEMENT

January 20, 2006

William Waybourn has announced his retirement as president of Window Media, which publishes a group of gay and lesbian publications that includes the Washington Blade, Southern Voice and David Magazine in Atlanta, the Express Gay News and 411 in South Florida, and the Houston Voice.  As co-founder of Window Media, Waybourn says while he intends to pursue other interests, he will remain as an investor in the company he helped create with Chris Crain.

"I am grateful to the people who played such important roles building Window Media into what it is today," Waybourn said.  "It's unfair that I will get much of the credit for their hard work to make our publications the best in the gay press, and the alternative press as well."

Waybourn and Crain co-founded Window Media in 1996, and Waybourn served as the company's president since 2001.  

"There would be no Window Media without William Waybourn," said Crain, the company's Executive V.P. for Editorial & Production.  "He has guided these publications and the people behind them through good times and bad.  We are grateful for his leadership and wish him all success."

The Window Media senior management team includes Crain, Steven Guerrini, Executive V.P. for Sales, Mike Kitchens, Chief Operating Officer, and Steve Myers, Chief Financial Officer. 

Joining them will be Peter Polimino, Window Media's new president, who is no stranger to the company. Polimino comes from Avalon Equity Partners, the New York-based fund that first invested in Window Media five years ago. Polimino was Avalon's Chief Financial Officer and brings more than 20 years experience in media — cable, network television, radio and print — at Avalon Cable, Fox/Liberty Networks and Westinghouse Broadcasting.

"I look forward to building on the growth of Window Media under William Waybourn's tutelage," said Polimino.  "These publications are well-positioned to enter the new media age in a way that serves their unique readership while delivering excellent return to their investors."

Waybourn also credited Avalon Equity Partners and specifically its principals David Unger, Ben Brandes and Polimino for their role these past few years.  “While Chris had the original vision, David, Ben, Peter and Avalon paved the way for the dream to come true,” he said.  “After 9/11, we shared a lot of tough times together and I will miss the camaraderie that grew from that crisis that affected every industry, but especially newspapers.”

Waybourn brought to Window Media a long record of gay activism and journalism. After working for 10 years as an editor of Texas dailies, he led the Dallas Gay Alliance and co-owned the highly popular Crossroads Market. He co-founded the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation's largest gay political action committee, and was managing director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), directing its transition into a national organization. Until 2001, Waybourn served as president of Window Communications, a public relations and strategic marketing firm, and played a behind-the-scenes role with the StopDrLaura.com campaign against Dr. Laura Schlesinger and Paramount.

back to top