Multi-million dollar Alabama publishing company threatens Louisiana Kitchen magazine over use of name: it’s a classic David & Goliath story.
August XX, 2012
For more information contact Susan Ford
xxx-xx-xxxx
Jyl Benson and I announced the launch of Louisiana Kitchen magazine in November of 2011 and published our first issue in April of 2012, with a second issue following in July. Our stated editorial mission is to "provide an intelligent, informed guide into Louisiana’s unique culinary culture and heritage, and the many nationalities, ethnicities, and traditions that came together over centuries to shape what it is today". Overwhelmingly positive response from charter subscribers, advertisers, industry peers, and other readers indicate that the magazine has hit a sweet spot. “This is like nothing I’ve ever seen before” is a typical quote, as is “this makes me want to get in the car and drive to Louisiana to explore and eat.”
Louisiana travel, tourism, and hospitality industry professionals say that Louisiana Kitchen is an invaluable tool for driving our travel and tourism industry—this is an industry that employs nearly one in ten Louisianians, and is crucially important to the state's economy.
Not long after the first issue of Louisiana Kitchen came off press, an Alabama-based publishing company acquired Louisiana Cookin’ magazine, a cooking magazine featuring Louisiana-centric recipes. That company is now, several months later, demanding that Louisiana Kitchen change its name, citing "brand confusion".
The editorial scope and design of Louisiana Kitchen is radically different than the older magazine. A recent issue of that magazine carries just five editorial photographs that contain people; Louisiana Kitchen’s premiere issue carries more than one hundred editorial photographs that contain people. Louisiana Kitchen is much more a culture and cuisine magazine, not simply a cooking magazine.
Jyl and I have invested our life savings into this project. We have immersed ourselves in communities and made friends all around the state; we are passionate about our culinary heritage and history, and the people and stories behind the scenes. Readers and advertisers alike tell us that passion shines through. We are committed to success—we just need a hand standing up to bullying, and putting these legal matters behind us.
What can you do to help us stand up for ourselves?
- First, subscribe to the magazine if you’ve not done so already, and purchase subscriptions for friends and family and/or strongly recommend it to them. This is critical; click to subscribe.
- Promote our David & Goliath struggle on your own Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other social media, and ask your contacts to send the story on to their friends. Link back to this page; select one of our covers as the thumbnail. Ask them to subscribe, or simply purchase a single copy of a back issue from us—click to order single copy or back issue.
- Advertise with us if appropriate; email me for information.
Your subscription or advertising dollars will fund growth for our fledgling business, and for legal defense should that be necessary.
Upside for you:
You’ll get an inspiring, interesting, top-quality magazine in your mailbox every other month, and you’ll know you helped a small entrepreneurial company that will create jobs get off the ground. You’ll help arm us against the Goliaths of the world.
Thank you for your time,
Susan Ford
President, Our Kitchen & Culture, LLC
Publisher, Louisiana Kitchen
PS: Subscribe and help us reach our goal of another 3,000 paid subscribers over the coming weeks. Help us get there, and stay tuned. We’ll keep you advised on our progress.
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