Blog Magazine

A Bit of (Much-Needed) Holiday Cheer: Plump December Magazine Issues

With major layoffs plaguing Time, Inc., Conde Nast and Forbes, the magazine industry is in dire need of some cheering up. So here's it is: Advertising Age reports that ad-spending for December issues is significantly up for several titles including Real Simple, Southern Living, Glamour, Martha Stewart Living, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire and Wired.

Esquire Magazine Cover to Feature 3-D Technology

Does anyone remember last year's Esquire cover featuring e-ink technology? The men's magazine is once again experimenting with its cover. This time around Esquire is touting its upcoming December issue that uses 3-D technology as a new “living, breathing, moving, talking magazine,” that combines images and graphics with both its articles and advertisements. The issue, which features actor Robert Downey Jr. on the cover, hits stands next week.

We want to know what you think: Is Esquire magazine's cover innovative or gimmicky?

Glamour Magazine Features First Lady Michelle Obama in Women of the Year Issue

For its 2009 edition of its annual Women of the Year issue Glamour magazine features First Lady Michelle Obama on the cover and an interview inside by Glamour columnist Katie Couric. In the interview Mrs. Obama talks about the importance of role models.

Tough Times Continue for Business Magazines

Forbes magazine announced yesterday it is facing more layoffs in an attempt to cut costs. This is the latest in a string of other cost-cutting efforts due to dramatic ad page revenue decline.

Unfortunately, Forbes' story is a familiar one in the business magazine category. Fortune magazine recently announced it is cutting its number of issues--from 25 to 18 per year; McGraw-Hill just sold its 80-year-old BusinessWeek to Bloomberg; and Conde Nast's Portfolio closed in April.

In his internal memo announcing the layoffs, Forbes CEO and Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes said of the magazine's struggles, "Media is profoundly being transformed. The traditional ways we created and disseminated content and generated advertising revenue must rapidly evolve.  Innovation is critical.  On the editorial side, we will maintain the essential strengths of Forbes while also deepening our relationships with our community.  On the advertising side, we are making shifts to fully meet marketers' evolving needs."

Magazine Happenings from Around the Web

Fortune magazine is the latest magazine to cut its number of issues--from 25 to 18 per year--in order to cut costs.

With its November issue, Disney's FamilyFun magazine has entered the controversial waters of advertising on the cover. A pull-tab on the cover labeled “Wanna Play? Pull Here” reveals a two-sided ad of Hasbro’s Family Game Night promotion. There's also an inside spread with a coupon. The issue's cover story is the magazine's annual "Toy of the Year" award and feature.

Martha Stewart is extending her brand once again--this time to turkeys. Thanksgiving turkeys, to be exact. The turkeys, which start at $70, are free of antibiotics and growth hormones, humanely raised and come packaged with “Turkey 101” recipes from Martha Stewart Living magazine.

And lastly, with just over a month to go until the release of New Moon, the sequel to last year's blockbuster teen-vampire-romance, Twilight, actress Kristen Stewart appears on no less than four current magazine covers: Allure, Seventeen, GQ and Interview.

Mother Jones Magazine Leads Innovative Journalistic Venture

Mother Jones magazine, nonprofit magazine known for its award-winning and hard-hitting investigative reporting, is leading a cooperative reporting project that will join half a dozen journalistic organizations to examine climate change in depth. Here, Ad Age interviews Mother Jones co-editor Clara Jeffery on the project and nonprofit journalism.

Real Simple Magazine Makes Design Changes

We thought we noticed something different about our November Real Simple issue. According to the editor's note, the magazine has introduced 14 new monthly columns and some design changes, thanks in part to new creative director Janet Froelich. So far our favorite new column is "Trends Worth Trying." If you're a Real Simple devotee, let us know what you think of the changes.

Magazine News Round-Up

While what has now been dubbed "Conde carnage," continues, the publisher is also moving forward with ways to increase advertising revenue including a new deal with online marketer Gilt Groupe and Condé Nast Traveler magazine. According to the New York Times, at the center of the partnership will be limited-time/members-only discounts on high-end travel deals inspired by destinations featured in Condé Nast Traveler.

Good news for November, women's magazines are at the top with number of ad pages gained. Southern Living magazine is #1 and following is Real Simple, More and People Stylewatch. The black sheep on the list, #5 is Guns & Ammo.

BusinessWeek magazine editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler will resign once the sale of the McGraw-Hill magazine to Bloomberg LP is done.  Adler has held the position for four years.

Women's Health Magazine Named Magazine of the Year

For its 2009 edition of its annual A-List, Advertising Age recognized Women's Health magazine as "Magazine of the Year" yesterday. The list recognizes 10 magazines for outstanding performance in circulation, advertising and overall buzz within the industry.

Women's Health was chosen for many reasons including strong sales performance in 2009, with single copy sales through June increasing 9% and total circulation up 30 percent compared to the first half of 2008. In January, the magazine will increase its rate base to 1.5 million, a huge accomplishment considering the weak economy and generally dismal state of the magazine industry.

Advertising Age also recognized Women`s Health for operating as a brand, stating "most magazines say they`re brands too, but Women`s Health is (power) walking the talk." The magazine's multi-platform strategy has made it a stand-out. Recently launched iPhone Apps and a growth of its website, which now boasts more than 1 million unique visitors are part of the success. Women`s Health has also expanded to include editions covering 21 countries, reaching more than 11 million readers around the world.

Publisher Rodale Inc., who also publishes Men's Health, Prevention and Organic Gardening, launched Women's Health magazine in 2005. The magazine and its brand extensions target active young women.

Other magazines recognized by Ad Age on its annual A-List are Better Homes & Gardens, Family Circle, Backpacker, Essence, Cosmopolitan and National Geographic.

Magazines for Hope: In the Spirit of Minnie Pearl

For 50 years, Minnie Pearl performed as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She was known for her trademark old-fashioned knee-length country dresses, her straw hat with the $1.98 price tag and her enthusiastic shout of “How-dee! I’m so proud to be here!”

She also released half-dozen comedy albums, made countless television appearances including a recurring role on the TV show “Hee-Haw” and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1975. By the time of her death in 1996 she was an American legend known for her humor, generosity and compassion.

She was also a breast cancer survivor. In 1985, she was diagnosed with the disease and underwent a double mastectomy and treatment at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. Of the experience, she said “Cancer can change your life at the drop of a hat. I know. It changed mine.”

After her recovery, she became a passionate cancer research supporter and education advocate. In 1991, Minnie Pearl took her commitment to help others to a new level and lent her name to The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation.
 
And The Minnie Pearl Foundation has continued on with Minnie Pearl’s legacy, adopting the qualities of it’s a namesake—compassion and hope—to support people confronting a cancer diagnosis. The Foundation is committed to improving the lives of adults affected by cancer through support, education and access to clinical research by offering free oncology social work services, nutrition consultations, a library of cancer-related materials, numerous educational and support programs and access to clinical research in the community.

Like Minnie Pearl, we at Magazines.com are believers in the value of patient support, community awareness and early detection and so we are happy to let everyone know that we are donating a portion of our sales this week to The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation through our “Magazines for Hope” campaign.