CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Backstage at the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards with swoon-worthy presenter Don Draper, er, Jon Hamm; with Stoli Innovators (FROM LEFT) Jeffrey Abramson, Margaret Morici, Benjamin Walker, Brooks Cook, Valerj Pobega, and Mattia Biagi; preparing to honor five prolific designers with South Coast Collection’s president, Therese Hotvedt; congratulating Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch, on her Grammy nomination for her duet with Tony Bennett

Give ’em a hand, all of them: the nominees and the winners, the presenters and the hosts, the entertainers and the talent, all of whom contribute to the magic of awards season. This month, as we pay tribute to the iconic Tony Bennett for his Grammy-nominated Duets II album, as well as several other extraordinary talents, it occurs to me there is another group of unsung heroes who deserve to be honored for their roles in creating such an enchanting few months: our advertisers and sponsors.

These partners make magazine publishing possible, allowing us to bring you original, rich content in each issue. Despite doomsday predictions by some, the magazine industry is stronger than ever. In fact, in 2011, Los Angeles Confidential experienced the largest year-over-year growth in its eight-year history. Magazine culture is alive and kicking, with 92 percent of adults still reading print publications. While Internet engagement continues to expand, one of magazine readership’s fastest-growing segments is adults under the age of 34. Since Google launched, print-media readership has increased 11 percent, and in the years since Facebook was created, magazines have gained more than one million young-adult readers.

And so the envelope please. The winner is… our advertisers. They understand digital media assets did not replace print, rather the two dance together in synergy. In fact, magazines now outpace all other channels as the No. 1 source for beginning a Web search. Our partners also know affluent buyers reference magazines for their luxury watch, jewelry, fashion, accessories, travel, and auto purchases more than Web, TV, or radio. So it is with great gratitude and appreciation to our advertisers that we bring you our annual awards issue—an issue that, if industry averages hold, you, our readers, will take a full 43 minutes to thumb through and enjoy.

Here’s to a prosperous and exciting new year.

ALISON MILLER

Follow me on Twitter at @alisonmillerlac