#MediaMonday – Kimberly Gunning
So, this Media Monday is a special one to me.
That is because it is about a member of the media who didn’t listen to me – no matter how many times I tried to tell her something.
And thank goodness.
I met Kimberly Gunning, who is today the associate editor of WHERE Magazine(s). When she worked at Arizona Vines & Wines Magazine, which eventually became AZ Wine Lifestyle Magazine, I wrote for the magazine in my spare time, and she was my editor.
Eventually, we met in person at what I thought would be a 20-minute media meeting at the Starbucks at Kierland. It, however, turned into a two-hour conversation that grew into an honest-to-goodness friendship.
At one point, as she was leaving AZ Wine Lifestyle (during the time it folded – today it is about to re-launch), I sat her down and told her that if she really wanted to keep writing and editing in this market, that she should look to public relations. I even went so far as to share job openings to entice her.
But, she stuck to her guns. She wanted to be in journalism. She wanted to be in publishing. And, I am so proud of her for making it happen.
Of course, she (unlike moi) is too modest to share all of the hard work she’s put into staying in this field. Hence why I just had to do it for her!
Now that that is out of the way – Kimberly, time to share!
What do you want to tell the blogosphere about yourself today?
After a several-year stint in Colorado, where I finished up my journalism degree and worked in the running industry, I returned to the Valley in fall of 2012—unhappy to be back in the desert (or so I thought), but eager to dive into the media industry.
Things didn’t start out easy — I worked briefly for a local lifestyle magazine, followed by several freelance gigs and then a fun nine months with AZ Wine Lifestyle up until its closing. Finally, this summer I began working as the associate editor with WHERE magazine. It’s been a bumpy ride full of the unexpected, but the amazing and supportive media community out here has made me thankful that I returned to the Valley of the Sun!
Now, I get to cover travel-related stories, advising visitors how to best spend their days, in both Tucson and — wouldn’t you know — Colorado! Combining my passions for travel, food, adventure and writing had always been one of my “dream careers,” and now I get to do it every day. I am the primary editor for the bi-annual WHERE Tucson Magazine, and the annual Tucson GuestBook and Colorado GuestBook, as well as both online Wheretraveler.com markets. I also assist with the production of the monthly WHERE Phoenix+Scottsdale, the quarterly Arizona QuickGuide and annual GuestBook publications.
Living and working in Phoenix and Scottsdale, I have fallen in love with the many locally owned, restored and tastefully decorated restaurants around town, as well as the sustainable and mission-oriented start-ups.
In my out-of-work-clothes time, I have found the running community in the Valley to be made up of a friendly and inviting group of people, which I have enjoyed being a part of — whether leading group runs from Glendale’s Sole Sports location, running around the Biltmore area, AZ Road Runners’ track workouts in Phoenix or running in one of the many local races.
I am a Buffalo Bills fan (originally from upstate New York), a Diamondbacks fan (my dad took us to the very first game played at Bank One Ball Park), went to Fountain Hills High School and Scottsdale Community College, and earned my BA in Journalism from Metropolitan State University in Denver.
Though I miss the beautiful tree-lined streets and mountain air in Denver…
I’ll say it (and I mean it) — It’s good to be back!
