Athens Magazine is called the "Lifestyle Magazine of Northeast Georgia" with good reason. For over 14 years, the bimonthly publication has offered a balance of informative and entertaining articles of interest to people in this area.

Graphically exciting, Athens Magazine reflects the diversity of an area that is home to a major university and varied industry, as well as being a regional retail, medical and tourist center. In addition, the publication features a number of accent sections: "Brides" (February), featuring useful local information; "New You" (April), including ideas on feeling and looking one's best; "Golf Courses" (June), highlighting area facilities; "Profiles of Success/Women in Business" (August), spotlighting area professionals; "Dining" (April, September); and "Fashion" (June, October).

When Athens Magazine was founded in 1989, it was unusual. At that time it was a new idea for daily newspapers to get into the magazine business, but it was an idea that made a lot of sense as media companies diversified in order to broaden their scope in their markets.

The Athens Banner-Herald, which is owned by Morris Communications based in Augusta, picked up the concept and brought out its first issue of Athens Magazine in spring 1989, publishing quarterly until the magazine became bimonthly in 1990. In 2002, a special holiday magazine was added as a seventh issue.

Like all publications, Athens Magazine has changed and grown since its premier issue. A guiding principle of Athens Magazine is an effort to meet the needs and expectations of readers in Athens and Northeast Georgia.

The staff of Athens Magazine also publishes the quarterly tourist guide Events!, which includes what to do, where to go and how to get there in Northeast Georgia. It is distributed free at over 400 locations, including local convention and visitors centers, chambers of commerce, accommodations, restaurants, racks and Georgia Welcome Centers.