2011 Sales Executive Hall of Fame: Francis X. Farrell

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Francis X. Farrell

President/CEO, Turnstile Media Group

Fate can take fortunate twists. Last summer, Francis (“Fran”) Farrell called Crain Communications president Rance Crain for advice on buying a special-interest magazine. Turns out that Crain (best known for Advertising Age) owns a group of special-interest magazines in Turnstile Publishing Group, and there was an opening for president/CEO.

Rance Crain had his guy and hired Farrell on Nov. 1, 2010. He is the past publisher of Men’s Journal (2008-2009), National Geographic Adventure (2003-2008), and Sporting News (1993-2002), and his success was best put by his NGA associate publisher Peter Fisher: “Fran was always able to engage with the most senior-level clients and move the dialog forward to often mutually beneficial results.”

A colleague in a different sense was Ogilvy & Mather vice chairman Steve Hayden, who was a fellow board member at environmental specialist Green Team Advertising. “Fran is like a great chess player,” says Hayden. “He isn’t limited to straight-ahead solutions, but can come at them obliquely--thereby achieving the best outcome in the most efficient way imaginable.”

All are skills that Farrell has brought to Orlando-based Turnstile, with three magazines, two Florida community newspapers, and several Web sites. Best known is Golfweek, which resumes a challenge for Farrell that he faced at Sporting News, where he successfully went head-to-head against bigger-financed competitors in Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

Now, he competes with the bigger-financed Golf Digest and SI Golf. Watch out, because Fran will erase the “handicap” very quickly.

Back to min's 2011 Sales Executive of the Year Awards

Take min's fun quiz and find out how magazine-savvy you are!

And raise your digital IQ at the annual Min Digital Summit.

A day specially designed to help you master the changing world of digital media. June 5, 2012 at the Marriott Marquis, NY. Please join us at min's Digital Media Summit June 5, 2012.

This all day event is specially designed to help you master the changing world of digital media.
Read more.

COMMENTS

Fran was one of the best people to work with in the Outdoor Industry! He brought a quiet calm to trade shows and enthusiasm to demos. All this from the publisher of a major magazine who could have locked himself in an office someplace.
Go Francis!

Posted by Lindy on Monday, June 6, 2011 @ 02:11 PM

Post a Comment

Best Sellers Archives

min's Digital Media Summit

Countdown to the Summit:

Luncheon Keynote: Josh Quittner

How is Flipboard changing the way content is being consumed?: Flipboard editorial director Josh Quittner will tell all during his luncheon keynote.


Keynoter: Erin Matts Glam Media	Keynoter: Josh Quittner Flipboard

Join us at the Summit June 5, 2012

Just Posted

Click here to get The Skinny App for iPhone

Not on your mobile
device now?
Email this to my iPhone

Please enter the following information to have a link to The Skinny emailed to your iPhone:

White Papers

Get even smarter -- download a white paper today.

... view Whitepapers

min Contests

min contests
Want to sponsor a min contest?

Click here...

min Press

min's Mobile App Report

View Details

Intriguing & Top-Selling Magazine Covers

View Details

Events Calendar

min's Integrated Marketing Awards
Entry Deadline June 7
Enter Today!

min's Digital Media Summit
June 5, 2012 at the Marriott Marquis, NY
Register Now

Sales Executive of the Year
June 27, 2012 at the Marriott Marquis
Purchase your tickets!

All Events

Copyright © 2012 Access Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Access Intelligence, LLC is prohibited. For more details please see Terms and Conditions.