New LV tourism guide to debut

Friday, Aug. 21, 1998 | 11:03 a.m.

A Georgia company is entering the crowded market of Las Vegas tourism guides, vowing to deliver 2 million copies per year of its new monthly Best Read Guide.

Morris Communications of Augusta, Ga., said that beginning in December it will distribute 166,000 copies per month free to tourists on and near the Las Vegas Strip and in outlying gaming areas like Primm, Laughlin and Mesquite.

Angela Nelson is general manager of the local operation. She previously worked in Las Vegas in marketing at National Sports Services and was editor of Nevada Woman magazine.

The advertising manager is Ben Falk, formerly an ad sales executive at the Las Vegas Business Press weekly newspaper and most recently vice president of the Nevada Business Journal monthly magazine.

Nelson said the publication will include at least 40 percent editorial content, which will be written by herself and freelance writers. It will list shows, attractions and restaurants.

Best Read Guide will compete against such publications as Tour Guide, Today in Las Vegas, What's On In Las Vegas and Showbiz. The Greenspun family, owner of the Las Vegas Sun, controls Showbiz.

Nelson said Morris publishes Best Read Guide in 22 U.S. markets like Orlando; Hilton Head, S.C.; and Branson, Mo. She said it's not unusual for big tourism destinations to have 10 to 30 competing tourism books, guides and magazines.

The rate card of the Las Vegas Best Read Guide says inside full-page color ads cost $1,998 per month on a 12-month contract. Nelson says the ad rates are 20 percent to 60 percent lower than its competitors.

She said a key selling point is that Best Read Guide will be distributed by its own "professional, uniformed staff" to ensure the publication is available to the tourists advertisers want to reach. The company also offers Internet website advertising so companies can reach tourists before they travel to Las Vegas.

"Las Vegas is a natural market for Best Read Guide. It is becoming a major family vacation destination," said Will Morris, president of Morris Communications.

Morris Communications, which is privately held, also owns newspapers, magazines, billboards and radio stations.