Venerable Canadian magazine editor John Macfarlane, winner of the 2005 Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement, the highest individual honour given by the National Magazine Awards Foundation, announced today that he is stepping down from his position as editor-in-chief of The Walrus, effective the end of the year.
The Walrus Foundation, publisher of the magazine which has won more NMAs than any other since its first issue in 2003, published a statement from John on its website:
“More than five years ago, I came on board as interim editor for six months, and suddenly it’s five years later. The world of journalism has changed in the last five years, and although I’ve enjoyed every minute here the time has come, as the Walrus said, for a new kind of editor—an editor of all Walrus platforms. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and decided the timing is right—for me and for the organization.”
Following a 15-year editorship of Toronto Life (1992-2007) during which that magazine won an industry-best 118 National Magazine Awards including Magazine of the Year in 2007, John Macfarlane was hired at The Walrus in 2008 and since then the magazine has won 59 NMAs, also best in the industry. His long career in publishing also includes Saturday Night, Financial Times of Canada, Weekend Magazine, the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail.
He served as President of the National Magazine Awards Foundation from 2000-2002.
More information:
NMA Archives
Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement
