From the editor.

I am using this column to update interested parties on the "state of the journal." Tradition suggests that the Editor report on this matter in the Summer issue each year, and I hope to continue that tradition.

In many ways, 2003 was a year of transition for the Journal. Not only did

we have a change of Editor, but the Journal also began a relationship with a new publisher, M.E. Sharpe. Both of the transitions have gone very well. Past Editor Ron Faber made my move into the Editor position very smooth--thanks, Ron! Moreover, the staff at M.E. Sharpe has helped the Journal's transition to a new publisher go smoothly as well. In particular, Executive Editor Harry Briggs and Production Manager Debra Soled have had incredible patience with me and have displayed true professionalism in their duties. We were pleased to publish a total of 27 manuscripts during the year, including the winner of the "Best Article" award for 2003, "Brought to You by Brand A and Brand B: Investigating Multiple Sponsors' Influence on Consumers' Attitudes Toward Sponsored Events," which was authored by Julie Ruth (Rutgers University) and Bernard L. Simonin (Tufts University).

I am pleased to report that we received 116 submissions in 2003--a near record number. With revisions (15 were received in 2003), we processed a total of 131 manuscripts. I was able to make decisions on 110 of the initial submissions in 2003. Ultimately, 61 submissions were rejected and three papers were "pulled" from the revision process by authors. I requested revisions on 51 manuscripts, and as of December 31, 2003, accepted 7.

Processing this many manuscripts required the help of a number of reviewers. In fact, in 2003, we enlisted the help of 359 different individuals, who each reviewed an average of 2.74 manuscripts. I thank all the reviewers, but pay special tribute to four people, whom I have named as "Outstanding Reviewers" for the year. The award winners are Mariea Hoy (University of Tennessee), Louisa Ha (Bowling Green State University), Michael Barone (Iowa State University), and Ray Taylor (Villanova University). In recognition of their outstanding work, I have also asked Mariea, Louisa, and Mike to join Ray Taylor (and the other members) on the Editorial Review Board.

I also encourage all readers to visit our upgraded Web site. The Web site features pages with information on how to contact the Editor, as well as information on the Editorial Review Board, recent issues, how to become a reviewer, manuscript submission guidelines, and how to obtain or renew a subscription. The page is located at www.bus.iastate.edu/joa.

Finally, I wish to thank a number of other people who have helped me throughout my first year as Editor. The Journal's "editorial staff" at Iowa State University has been great. (Using the term staff is a bit misleading in that the only "true" staff person is Larisa Vereshchagina, the Journal's editorial assistant). Larisa has been a tremendous help to me and does an excellent job of serving as the Journal's primary contact. In addition, Larisa has done an outstanding job of reworking and maintaining the Journal's Web site.

Moreover, several other people at Iowa State University have helped me keep the manuscripts moving. Pat McGriff (the Marketing Department secretary) has assisted both Larisa and me. Pat handles most of our mailings and does occasional typing and proofreading for us as well. My research assistant, Shawna Connor, provided the Journal with an immense amount of office support as well. Iowa State University College of Business staff members Joel Brett and Kim Schroeder provided important computer help and were critical in the development of the Journal's updated Web site. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the support of my dean (Labh Hira) and department chair (Tom Chacko), both of whom provided me with the institutional support that is necessary for me to be able to serve as Editor of the Journal.

Russell N. Laczniak

Iowa State University