Washingtonian Custom Media is a full-service custom publisher powered by award-winning creative storytellers: writers, designers and editors. Our capabilities range from creating custom-designed magazines to designing stunning websites, and everything in-between. Through our three-step collaborative process – strategy | content | design – we help clients create and convey messages that don’t just add to the din, but instead, truly resonate across target audiences and yield results. The way we do that is through the power of
a great story – yours.

Services

Content Creation

Content Creation

Our editorial team crafts original content as well as copyedits, fact-checks and proofreads existing content for consistency of voice and tone.

Print solutions

Print solutions

Your one-stop shop for custom magazines, brochures, annual reports, event and travel guides.

Design

Design

WCM’s design team creates full publication design, original photography and illustrations, ongoing design and art direction, and use of Washingtonian’s stock photo library.

Digital development

Digital development

We design and build contemporary, user-friendly websites that are accessible and compliant across browsers and devices, as well as responsive to render flawlessly on mobile.

Communications Consulting

Communications Consulting

We work with clients to identify their goals as well as the marketing tools and techniques to achieve them.

User Experience

User Experience

Get the inside track on what your audience thinks through research, heat maps and surveys for the ultimate user experience, both in print and online.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

We supervise the entire process from conceptualization to completion.

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION

We provide all pre-press production services including pagination, preflight, color correction and proofing.

Our Team

Meet our team members

James Byles

James Byles

President

 

James uses his publishing and strategy expertise to help organizations communicate with their customers, engage their peers and compete in their marketplace through sophisticated custom media products. He and his team empower commercial and nonprofit organizations to tell their story, the way it’s meant to be told—powerfully, vividly and persuasively.

Prior to leading WCM, James ran Byles & Associates, a national advertising sales and contract publisher focused on business-to-business associations and for-profit clients.

Jacob Raim

Jacob Raim

Director of Digital Products

 

Jacob leads Washingtonian’s team of agile designers and developers. He oversees and guides the Media Company’s overarching digital strategy and is responsible for managing all web properties, digital content, and other digital channels and projects. A digital native with extensive experience in online marketing, content, and sales, Jacob seeks to drive digital growth in all facets.

Prior to his career at Washingtonian, Jacob worked at Monumental Sports and Entertainment for 10 years. He spent the first five as the lead web developer, and the next five leading the digital strategy for the organization.

 

Katherine Novak

Katherine Novak

Marketing Communications Associate 

 

Katherine works alongside James on the development and implementation of WCM’s marketing and business development strategy. She is responsible for overseeing new client accounts, client communications, and ongoing projects for WCM’s diverse client base.

Prior to joining WCM, Katherine worked in client services in Charlottesville, VA. She holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of Virginia, where she also completed her interdisciplinary B.A. in English and Media Studies.

Christine Deeds

Christine Deeds

Editorial Associate 

 

Christine works alongside James on the development and implementation of the Washington Physicians Directory’s marketing and business development strategy. She is responsible for overseeing the verification process, book sales, and advertising sales. Additionally, Christine manages editorial data for Washingtonian’s Top Doctors.

Prior to joining WCM, Christine served as the Production Manager for Automated Solutions Group Incorporated and as an independent contractor focused on preparing books/manuscripts for publishing. She has been creating publications for over 35 years.

Johanna Daproza

Johanna Daproza

Production Manager

Johanna leads Washingtonian’s production team, coordinating with all departments and the printer to successfully produce each magazine. With experience in photo retouching and design, Johanna and her team strive for products that are of the highest quality, from the print to the color and sharpness of the final products. Her production work carries over to Custom Media to guarantee our magazines, coffee table books, and other projects look their best in print. Johanna works with clients to finalize approval of print jobs before they see production.

Prior to her career at Washingtonian, Johanna served as the director of creative services at TalentMEDIA Services and Vector Talent Resources.

Ken DeCell

Ken DeCell

Editor 

 

An editor and writer, Ken grew up writing for his parents’ weekly newspaper in the Mississippi Delta, was the founding editor of Memphis magazine, and spent three decades as a senior editor of Washingtonian.

Editor of several best-selling books and co-author of The Thirteen Keys to the Presidency (Madison Books, 1990), he also worked as a press secretary and legislative aide on Capitol Hill and as editor-in-chief of Roll Call.

Alice Ashe

Alice Ashe

Designer

 

Alice specializes in print design, web design, and branding and has over a decade of experience working with clients nationwide.

She designs everything from websites and annual reports to retail packaging and advertisements. Alice has a strong background in magazine layout and editorial art direction, and has commissioned photographers and illustrators on assignments worldwide. Her skillset also includes HTML and CSS, and she works with clients to produce thoughtful websites that are easily maintained and operated.

Portfolio

  • All
  • Academic Report
  • Annual Report
  • Coffee Table Book
  • Guides
  • Magazine
  • Marketing Materials
  • Publishing
  • Website Design
National League of Cities’ 100th Anniversary Celebration: Coffee Table Book and Website

National League of Cities’ 100th Anniversary Celebration: Coffee Table Book and Website

Website and Coffee Table Book Background In 2024, the
Detail
CSBS Annual Report

CSBS Annual Report

Annual Reports The Challenge The Conference of State Ban
Detail
Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Academic Report The Challenge Georgetown Institute
Detail
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business

Hardcover Anniversary Book The Challenge Georgetow
Detail
The Economic Club of Washington D.C.

The Economic Club of Washington D.C.

Annual Report The Challenge The Economic Club sought to
Detail
SFS 100: A Century of Service Coffee Table Book

SFS 100: A Century of Service Coffee Table Book

Paperback and Hardcover Coffee Table Book The Challenge
Detail
Long & Foster Companies

Long & Foster Companies

50 Year Anniversary Coffee Table Book The Challenge Cel...
Detail
Population Services International

Population Services International

Graphic Design and Technical Editing The Challenge: Pop
Detail
Board of Trade

Board of Trade

Redesign and Relaunch of Trade Association Magazine The
Detail
Women Heart

Women Heart

Annual Report and 15th Anniversary Magazine The Challeng
Detail
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service

Print and Digital Alumni Magazine The Challenge: The sc
Detail
Qatar Foundation International

Qatar Foundation International

Production of Education Program Brochure The Challenge:
Detail
Royal Norwegian Embassy

Royal Norwegian Embassy

Print and Digital Embassy Magazine The Challenge: The em
Detail
McCourt School of Public Policy

McCourt School of Public Policy

University Alumni Magazine The Challenge: The school sou
Detail
Washingtonian Welcome Guide

Washingtonian Welcome Guide

The Challenge: Create a comprehensive insider’s guide tha...
Detail
Justthinktwice.com

Justthinktwice.com

The Challenge: The website content needed to be refocuse...
Detail
GetSmartAboutDrugs.com

GetSmartAboutDrugs.com

The Challenge: A full redesign and new content manageme...
Detail

Learn more about WCM

Download our fact sheet and media kit here

 

 

 

Fact Sheet

 

 

 

Media Kit

For our 15-year anniversary annual report, which we wanted to be special and different, WCM came up with some really unique ideas. The team was attentive to our needs and they were able to accommodate changes and special requests. The result was beautiful and we’ve received amazing feedback from our members!”

Mary McGowan, CEO

Mary McGowan, CEO

“Everything about Norway Today represents our country in the most spectacular way. What an incredible tool to reach Norwegians in the US and abroad, and to teach non-Norwegians about our culture and history!”

Urd Milbury, Cultural and Information Officer

Urd Milbury, Cultural and Information Officer

“We are thrilled with the redesign of our magazine Policy Perspectives and the addition of the iPad and digital editions. The digital edition enabled us to leverage our content for teaching, outreach, and development for the Georgetown Public Policy Institute.”

Dean Sirjue, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration

Dean Sirjue, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration

“The WCM team streamlined the entire process for our annual publication – and the reaction from our readers has been tremendous.”

Lauren Mullins, Director of Communications

Lauren Mullins, Director of Communications

“The hands-on project management approach at Washingtonian Custom Media made an impossible dream an incredible, tangible reality. Norway Today is something we’ve been talking about doing for years, and now we finally have, thanks to WCM.”

Linken Nymann Berryman, Counselor, Press and Culture

Linken Nymann Berryman, Counselor, Press and Culture

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