About
Mission
Alter Communications aspires to communicate news, information and opinion to the communities we serve that’s useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. We strive to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints, while also advocating positions which strengthen those communities.
Vision
To be a growing integrated regional media company.
Company Core Values
Quality of Life. Alter Communications believes that each employee should be able to experience a positive, fulfilled environment both at work and in his/her personal and/or family life. To that end, the company is as flexible as possible in helping him/her maintain a healthy balance of the two spheres.
Quality Content and Service. The Company prides itself on producing publications with high quality editorial and art content. Likewise, all employees continually provide superior service to our customers—readers and advertisers.
Growth and Challenge. The Company realizes that a motivated, capable staff requires challenge to stay sharp and fulfilled. To that end, employees are offered opportunities for professional growth and change within the company whenever possible.
Make it Fun. The Company believes that working hard with respected colleagues to produce an excellent product should be an enjoyable experience, not drudgery. It is important to keep the atmosphere fun, one in which the staff can reach its potential and stay fresh. An employee appreciation day and frequent, informal company parties are tangible symbols of this philosophy.
Integrity. The Company believes that each employee should be able to do his/her job with the highest ethical standards—honestly and, as needed, compassionately.
History
Alter Communications began in 1919 when David Alter started the Baltimore Jewish Times and we’ve been publishing every Friday since then. In 1972 Charles “Chuck” Buerger had the vision to make the sleepy weekly into the “Newsweek of Jewish journalism.” Buerger succeeded and created the country’s finest Jewish newsweekly.
In 1989 the company launched Style magazine, published 7x year, covering home design, fashion, food, and regional travel. It is now Baltimore’s premier lifestyle publication, providing information for smart living in Baltimore.
Moving towards its vision to become an integrated regional media company, Alter Communications purchased its’ first magazine, Chesapeake Life, in February 2001. The magazine had been in existence since 1996, focusing on how to take advantage of the many wonderful things the Chesapeake region has to offer. From regional travel to great places to eat, this magazine has become the ultimate guide for life around the Chesapeake, published 7x year.
In April 2002, Alter Communications launched its full-service custom publishing division. Alter Custom Publishing’s core strength is the ability to use a dedicated staff, as well as Alter’s many magazine resources, to create and manage publications (both print and web-based) for its clients. Expert custom publishing services include: design, production, circulation management, content generation, editing, and cost effective printing. Alter Custom Publishing has quickly gained a reputation for producing outstanding custom publications.
In March 2006, Alter formed a joint Venture with Independence Media to publish PaperDoll. PaperDoll is Baltimore’s first magazine devoted exclusively to shopping. It is designed for women 25 - 55 who want to know the latest fashion and where to find it in the Baltimore region. It is the luxury magazine for women’s and men’s clothing and accessories, children’s clothes, books, beauty, fitness, home and food. It is a 6x9 full-color, matte paper, perfect bound publication.
PaperDoll is published 3x: spring, fall and holiday. PaperDoll House is published 2x: spring and fall. PaperDoll is subscription and take-away distribution at more than 70 retailer locations.