Pat Bradford, co-founder of Wrightsville Beach Magazine passes on the reins as publisher

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A new era dawns for Wrightsville Beach Magazine according to its longtime publisher. Pat Bradford is turning over the reins of the decades-old monthly publication to Justin Williams, CEO and publisher of Carolina Marketing Company, Inc. which publishes regional titles such as North Brunswick Magazine, South Brunswick Magazine, Topsail Magazine, and SPT OKI Magazine.

“Justin and I first sat down to discuss a succession plan for Wrightsville Beach Magazine in 2021,” Bradford said Tuesday evening. “We have continued those discussions annually. Our discussions successfully came together this December.”

Bradford co-founded Wrightsville Beach Magazine in 2000. Two years later, she started Lumina News, a weekly newspaper for the Wrightsville Beach area. The following year she became the publisher of both. From 2005 to 2008 she published an annual community phone book.  The weekly newspaper was sold in 2017.

In 2022, Bradford ran as a Republican for a seat on the New Hanover County School Board and won with the highest number of votes cast in that race. It’s a position that’s important to her. In a message sent out to advertisers, Bradford said she is not retiring and that this transition will allow her the opportunity to focus more attention on the needs of New Hanover County’s school children.

Bradford also says she’s not walking away entirely from Wrightsville Beach Magazine.

“I will still contribute,” Bradford said. “I have many stories that matter left to tell. In addition, I put aside finishing a novel set locally when I was seriously injured in 2020. I look forward to bringing that work of fiction to the community.”

According to the memo sent to advertisers, Wrightsville Beach Magazine, which is a free, advertiser-only supported monthly publication, will relaunch in May. Their January issue is in circulation and online now.