In the post below, and as part of our “Publication Spotlight” series, you’ll find background information on Fast Company, its readership, and its awards, along with other information. We’ve previously featured other publications, including Forbes, GeekWire and Inc. magazine, and look forward to profiling other outlets in the coming weeks and months.

Q: How long has the publication been around?

Fast Company is a relatively new publication. Alan Webber and Bill Taylor, editors of the Harvard Business Review, and publisher Mortimer Zuckerman introduced the magazine in November 1995. Eventually, Zuckerman sold the magazine.

 Q: Who owns the publication?

The magazine is owned and published by Mansueto Ventures, LLC, which is also the publisher of Inc magazine, which we’ve featured in this publication spotlight as well. 

Q: Who reads Fast Company?

According to the 2021 media kit, readers include C-level executives and top management. A high percentage are college graduates and are business decision-makers. They have a median household income of $194,017, a median age of 43.7 and tend to be male.

Q. What are the major sections in the magazine?

According to a statement on its website by Stephanie Mehata, editor-in-chief, “Fast Company is the only media brand dedicated to chronicling the future of business. The only title committed to covering companies and leaders who are defining where business is headed. And with technology and globalization having led to commoditization of products and services – innovation, creativity, impact and design are the only ways businesses can win in the speed economy.”

Major sections include Co. Design, Tech, Work Life, News, Impact, Podcasts, Video, and Recommender. They also have information for the Fast Company Innovation Festival, Sept. 27 through Oct. 1, attracting leaders, inventors, entrepreneurs, and others for an immersive virtual conference.

Q: What is the process for contributing content to Fast Company?

Fast Company’s editorial team is very selective in its acceptance of outside contributions. There is a wealth of information here on how to submit content.

The editors are most interested in articles that “introduce new ideas and advance conversations around topics and trends that engage our readers – think op-ed rather than content marketing.”

The editors most often accept articles for the leadership section, which focuses on “productivity, creativity, career development, hiring and recruiting, work culture, work-life issues and policies, entrepreneurship, and innovation.”

Q: What is the process for applying to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies Award?  

The Most Innovative Companies Award is a program that Fast Company has had since 2008. To apply, visit Fast Company, create an account, and complete the application. For more details on the process and benefits of this award, please visit Fast Company’s FAQ.

Q: Does Fast Company publish an editorial calendar?

The editorial calendar is in the media kit, but here’s the 2021 lineup:

• March / April: Most Innovative Companies
• Summer: World Changing Ideas
• September: Most Creative People / Best Workplaces for Innovators
• October: Innovation by Design
• November: Brands That Matter / Impact Council
• Winter: Secrets of the Most Product People / Breakthrough Tech

When Fast Company makes its 2022 calendar available, we’ll provide an update.

Q: How many readers does it have?

According to its media kit, Fast Company has a rate base of 450,000. It has 1.4 million print readers and its site receives an average of 11.8 million unique visitors per month. These visitors review an average of 19.3 million page views per month.