Alberto Fontevecchia, co-Founder of Editorial Perfil, has died aged 93

Alberto Fontevecchia, one of the founders of Editorial Perfil, has died aged 93. Fontevecchia was president of AAER (the Argentine Association of Magazine Publishers) for several years, as well as Deputy Chairman of FIPP when the FIPP World Media Congress was held in Brazil and Argentina in 2001.

Educated in the graphic arts, Fontevecchia founded the printing firm Linotype Fobera in 1950 and by the 1960s had begun publishing his own sports magazines – El Ciclón, Racing and Esto es Boca. 

In 1972 he launched his favourite magazine, Weekend, dedicated to fishing and leisure pursuits. It remains a significant publication in Argentina and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. Indeed, until the onset of the pandemic, Fontevecchia was still managing Weekend himself, visiting his office in the Barracas neighborhood daily.

Enrique Micheli, current CEO of AAER, described him as “someone who forged an unwavering bond with the independent journalistic world in the mid-20th century, which he never abandoned, and a courageous man of vision and passion who will always be remembered.”

James Hewes, President of FIPP, said: “Alberto Fontevecchia was one of the pioneers of our industry, a man dedicated to journalism and to the magazine industry throughout his long life. The 2001 Congress, which Alberto was instrumental in organising, is still talked about as one of the highlights of that event’s long history. Everyone at FIPP extends their deepest condolences to his son Jorge, to the rest of the Fontevecchia family and to everyone at Perfil.”   

For the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Perfil, Alberto himself wrote: “Of all those who accompanied me during these years, I have wonderful memories. Suppliers who became friends, technicians who made the impossible possible, workers who did not give up even when overwhelmed by fatigue… directors, editors, journalists who shared our vision, all of them – especially those who life took from our side – remain in my memory with all my affection.”

Gustavo González, current President & CEO of Perfil, provides his own memories of the industry pioneer, here

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