Message from the Publishers
Fifteen years ago, we set out to create a magazine like no other in the Cayman Islands — or, for that matter, anywhere. Back then, in 2004, Cayman probably already had too many magazines for its small size — it still does — but it was our view that none of them represented these islands in the manner they deserved.
We decided to do something different, to create a publication around the theme “The Best of the Good Life in the Cayman Islands.”
Although we were certainly not naïve about the world of publishing — we had created, owned, or edited many publications previously both on and off the island — our business plan for our new publication largely ignored, well, the basic tenets of business. MBAs and Chief Financial Officers would have been aghast. We never even opened an Excel spreadsheet.
Vicki’s bottom line was something few accountants would ever understand — the publication had to be, first and foremost, beautiful. That meant employing the finest photographers, recruiting the best designers and graphic artists, purchasing the highest quality paper that money could buy (which is quite different from “what we could afford”). We also decided to make this magazine “oversized” because bigger makes everything look better — from layouts to photographs to advertisements.
As editor, David’s bottom line was that the magazine had to be “intelligent” — there would be no “dumbing down” of ideas or language in this publication. His radical assumption was (and is) that our readers are both sophisticated and intelligent. We would work with the best writers and editors we could attract, pay them well and treat them well.
The real bottom line, we agreed, was that we would NEVER sacrifice quality to cut financial corners. We would shut down the magazine before we would ever compromise on its quality.
Of course, in theory and “on paper,” this magazine could never work. The cost was too high, the market was too small, and there wasn’t even a printing press on the island that could print it. Naysayers predicted it would be a “one issue wonder.”
But it did work.
As we pause (ever so briefly) to celebrate our 15th year, we soon will be back planning for our upcoming years, growing in tandem with these marvelous and unique Cayman Islands. We look forward to your being with us — and our being with you — for each and every future issue.
With warmest regards,
David and Vicki Legge
P.S.: Before going to press with our inaugural issue, there was one more matter — a significant one — to be addressed. This “newborn” needed a name, one that would embody the essence and excellence of its birthplace. Of course, that was an easy decision. This publication was anointed with the only title that was possible: We called it Grand Cayman Magazine.
Thank You for Your Support
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the long-loyal advertisers of Grand Cayman Magazine who have, literally, written the checks that have enabled us to produce a publication of this duration and quality.
Grand Cayman has become known as the home of some of the the island’s and the world’s most prestigious advertisers, including Rolex that has graced every back cover since we began publication in 2004. Thank you Kirk Freeport. It would be impossible (not to mention risky) to attempt to name all of our loyal supporters, but please know how important you are to us. Over the years, many of you have become personal friends, so you have not only enriched our magazine, you have enriched our lives.
Often unseen and largely unsung are the artisans — the printers, pressmen, and production people — who play such a pivotal role in producing “high-maintenance” magazines such as Grand Cayman. For many years, we had a remarkable relationship with Legg Brothers Graphics in Toronto, Canada. Until his recent passing, Paul Legg, a principal of that company, did all of the complex “color correction” on every photo that appeared in our pages. His imprint and standards are an indelible part of this publication.
For more than a decade, NuPress of Miami has printed Grand Cayman Magazine. It is not possible to find a better printer than NuPress. Ricky de la Vega owns the company and personally oversees a remarkable staff of pre-press and on-press magicians. They’re family.
Finally, you, our readers. We publish for you, and we so value the bond that exists between us. Some of you have told us that you have actually kept every issue we have ever published. We’re flabbergasted — and flattered. What can we say — to you and to all who make Grand Cayman possible?
Thank you for allowing us, and enabling us, to do what we do . . .
—David and Vicki Legge
