We are pleased to announce that the American Lifestyle Online Account Manager is sporting a new and improved appearance. But first, a little backstory . . .

The first American Lifestyle Online Account Manager was created in 2003 before the first ALM was printed, mailed, or even designed. We were taking advance orders for the magazine and knew early on that we needed an easy-to-use account manager that would allow customers to create their own customized magazine without having to think about how it was being created.

Fueled by Boston Market and Monster energy drinks, we cranked out an interface in a matter of three weeks. What we didn’t know at the time was how quickly we would grow and just how busy we would get! This was a good thing, of course. But as new features were added to the magazine, we continued to pile functionality on top of the same outdated design.

Well, fast forward ten years later, and you’ll see that we have finally implemented a much needed facelift for the original Online Account Manager. While the functionality of the site hasn’t changed much, the new look provides a better viewing experience for veterans and rookies of ALM alike. If you haven’t been switched to the new interface yet, you will see the change before your Issue 66 deadline.

Here’s a peek at what is different:

Color/Layout:
From orange and gray to blue and . . . slightly bluer—the account manager looks a little different and is easier to read.

Contact Block:
No longer a long, scrolling page, the contact block has been consolidated into one tabbed window where all of your information can be updated from one screen.

My Account:
My Account and My Contacts have been combined onto one page.

So what’s next?
One thing we do know is that we’re not going to let another ten years go by without improving again! We will continue to make the interface easier to use, and we want to hear your ideas. Most of the existing features in the magazine came from our customers’ needs and opinions, so tell us what you’d like to see. A mobile app? One-click updates? Easier ad selection? Quick-links to cover options and new content? Tell us in the comment section below, or contact us here: E-mail | Twitter | Facebook