Down East, the 60-year-old Camden-based magazine, announced Monday that it is partnering with a southern Maine arts and music magazine.

Down East has signed a cooperative publishing agreement with Dispatch, which covers events, art, music and nightlife in southern Maine, according to a news release.

The two publications will immediately share a sales staff charged with selling advertising to both publications. They will also work together on editorial content. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Bob Fernald, Down East’s publisher and CEO of Down East Enterprises, said the cooperative publishing agreement with Dispatch is part of Down East’s long-range plan to engage its readers in more ways.

“This relationship with Dispatch underlines our commitment to the people of Maine – to celebrate with them the things that make our state great,” Fernald said in a statement. “Dispatch’s mission and voice are unique in Maine and complement Down East. This partnership will take Dispatch to the next level.”

Dispatch was founded in 2011 by Frank Copsidas, a serial entrepreneur and the former music manager for James Brown. It publishes nine times a year and is distributed between Bangor and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, according to its website.

Copsidas will remain Dispatch’s publisher.

“Dispatch will benefit from the resources available to us through Down East and we are excited to be working with Down East’s incredible staff,” Copsidas said in a statement. “We are looking forward to many more years of writing about the best in entertainment, recreation and things to do.”


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