Richard Martin is an editorial director and digital media strategist (among other things).
I launched the culinary website and brand foodrepublic.com with chef Marcus Samuelsson in 2011, then sold the company to Zero Point Zero Production, staying on as Editorial Director. Previously, I launched and served as editor-in-chief of Manhattan and Miami magazines, and Complex magazine. My most recent launch was with Marcus Entertainment, a new company from famed entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis.
Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC’s The Profit and HGTV’s The Renovator, enlisted me to serve as editorial director of his new media company. Marcus Entertainment includes TV shows, websites, speaking engagements and more.
In 2011, I partnered with chef and TV personality Marcus Samuelsson to launch his long-planned culinary site Food Republic. Three years later, we sold the brand to Zero Point Zero Production, Emmy-winning producers of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown and Mind of a Chef. In 2015, I added VP of Editorial to my title and worked on projects for ZPZ as well as continuing my role as editorial director of Food Republic.
I launched Manhattan magazine for Modern Luxury, a regional publishing company with titles in 20+ markets. As editor-in-chief (2008-2011), I hired and managed staff, represented the brand at high-profile events, and produced special issues on fashion, design and art, as well as an annual best of the city issue.
Modern Luxury hired me to go down to Miami and launch their splashiest title since Angeleno, Miami magazine.. I assembled a team and launched in September 2007, following in November with the title’s first ever Art Basel Miami Beach issue. Every year, I’d enlist a different artist to create the cover, and worked with respected names like Friends With You and Santiago Rubino.
In 2002, just back in New York City after a long stint living in the Pacific Northwest, I signed on as news editor at Complex, a new magazine being launched by streetwear designer Marc Ecko. In the early days, we paired prominent celebrities and artists from seemingly different worlds on the cover, hoping to find common ground. By 2004, I became deputy editor of the magazine, and then in 2005, ascended to Editor-in-Chief, overseeing a staff of 25 and booking covers with Kanye West, the Beastie Boys, Vince Vaughn, Jaime King and others, and working with photographers Robert Maxwell, David LaChapelle and Terry Richardson. During my tenure, we also launched Complex.com, which is now owned by Verizon.