Hispanic Magazine

A Guide to the Hispanic Magazine Archives
1992- ongoing, bulk: 1994-1997
Collection 056

Descriptive Summary

Creator:    Hispanic Magazine
Title:    Hispanic Magazine Archives
Dates:    1992- ongoing
Abstract:        The Hispanic Magazine Archives contains documents relating to the production of each issue of the magazine. Within this collection are annotated drafts, page proofs, research material, correspondence, press releases, press kits, newspaper clippings, photographs and machine-readable diskettes.
Identification:    Collection 056
Extent:    30 boxes (15 linear feet)
Language:    Materials are written in English
Repository:    Southwestern Writers Collection, Special Collections, Alkek Library, Texas State University-San Marcos

Organizational History

Hispanic Magazine was founded in 1987 in Washington D.C. by publisher, and former New Mexico governor, Jerry Apodaca, and editor, José Armas.  The first issue appeared on newsstands in April 1988.  The magazine's founding was aimed at portraying Hispanics in a positive manner.   There had been other attempts to target the Hispanic community by other magazines but most of them folded.  Hispanic started out on a format modeled after People magazine.  Hispanic celebrities such as Julio Iglesias and Lee Treviño graced the early covers.  Over the course of time the magazine's identity has evolved and now follows themes that magazine representatives consider more relevant.  The magazine targets educated and upwardly mobile Hispanics.

Its founders believed that there was a wealth of information to be shared with the public regarding the positive things with which Hispanics were involved. They also felt there were no good role models for Hispanic youths.  In addition, they wanted to do their part to change the way Hispanics were viewed by the general public.  Founders were fueled by the results of a then recent study, which found the best known Hispanic in the US to be the cartoon character Speedy Gonzales.  

In 1988 Hispanic saw its circulation rise to 150,000.  Since then its readership has continued to increase and is expected to reach 260 to 265,000 in 2001.  The magazine began publication on a 12-month cycle but in the mid-nineties began combining the January/February and the July/August issues and now produces 10 issues a year.

In the mid-nineties, two thirds of the magazine's readership was Mexican American therefore it was decided to move the headquarters to either Texas or California.  Texas was chosen and in 1994 the offices were relocated to Austin where they remained until 1999 when they relocated to Coral Gables, Florida.  Hispanic maintains sales offices in Washington D.C., Austin, Detroit, Chicago, and New York City in addition to the main office in Coral Gables.  

Hispanic Magazine also owns and produces Vista Magazine, a once-a-month newspaper insert that appears in several large newspapers in the US including the San Antonio Express News.

Scope and Content Note

The Hispanic Magazine Archives is comprised of one series: Editorial Files. The material is arranged by issue beginning with November 1994.  No files exist in these archives for the April 1988 through October 1994 issues except for letters from September and October 1994.  The files are arranged following the tables of contents for each issue (feature articles and departments followed by proofs of the issue as a whole), with individual issues ranging in size from .25 linear feet to 1 linear foot.  The Editorial Files consist of annotated drafts and page proofs, research material, correspondence, press releases, press kits, newspaper clippings, photographs, and machine-readable diskettes. The research materials consist of newspaper clippings, photocopies from other publications, and copies of other publications.  The correspondence is primarily incoming from corporation/product representatives, and from readers to the editor.  The press releases and press kits primarily promote products and travel destinations. 

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: Open for research. Hispanic Magazine owns copyright for all work created for the magazine, contact the SWWC for further information or for assistance with permission to publish.

Preferred Citation: Hispanic Magazine Archives, Southwestern Writers Collection, Texas State University-San Marcos

Acquisition Information: Gift donated by Hispanic Magazine, 2000.

Processing Information: Processed by Georgia Ruiz Davis and Tina Ybarra, 2001. Finding aid revised by Maggie DeBrecht, 2011