Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanne Durann.
Hi Joanne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Before diving into media publishing, Joanne built a background as an actress, singer, and educator. Her passion for the spotlight and for supporting local talent led her to freelance writing. She authored multiple books and entertainment articles, contributing to platforms such as Yahoo.com, Examiner, AXS, and Out on The Town Magazine. Throughout her writing career, she interviewed high-profile figures, including musicians Geoff Tate, Mark Daly, and Rudy Sarzo. Leveraging her background in media and education, Joanne launched South Shore Sports and Entertainment Magazine (later expanded as Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment Magazine), serving as its CEO and Publisher. The publication was established to cover game highlights, local athletes, concert previews, film reviews, and celebrity interviews across the Greater Tampa Bay region.
Expansion Beyond Tampa: Official details about expanding the publication to Austin and Nashville are just coming to light, with both magazines set to launch in Sept 2026. The move aligns with the regional model of covering vibrant music and sports hubs. Both Austin (“The Live Music Capital of the World”) and Nashville (“Music City”) mirror Tampa Bay’s mix of major league sports, live entertainment, and local creative scenes—offering a natural footprint for growth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely had its bumps and jolts along the way; however, it has also been an amazing journey. The main struggle wasn’t keeping the audience interested; it was getting my advertising partners to see the vision from the start. Of course, once everything gained momentum and readership grew, it was much easier to get them on board. The smoothest part of this journey has been growing the audience and getting them engaged. Once we found the best places to showcase, the rest was easy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known as a go-to local media voice covering the sports and entertainment pulse of the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo communities. I have built a reputation for interviewing prominent entertainment and sports figures with topical, hard-hitting questions. Interviewees include musicians Geoff Tate, Bill Leverty, Keech Rainwater, and Rudy Sarzo, as well as celebrities such as Ian Stevens, Mrs. America 2025; Joel Heyman; Victoria Butler; Jason Saldana; and Sheila Johnson.
My background combines performing arts (acting and singing), education, writing, real estate, and digital media publishing. My distinct advantage is my ability to listen deeply, understand underlying needs even when clients or readers struggle to express them, and get straight to the core of the issue. I also take pride in my general desire to help people.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am one of the hosts of South Shore Live, a podcast dedicated to helping small businesses in the southern Tampa Bay area. We give the businesses a platform to tell their story to people in our area. When I am not interviewing small businesses and political candidates on the show, I am behind the scenes running the production.
Pricing:
- Free for the comsumer to read!
- Advertsing Rates vary so call for more information
Contact Info:
- Website: https://duranndurannentertainmentgroup.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duranndurannentertainmentgroup/
