Just when one magazine folds, another swoops in to take it’s place.
On February 24th this year, news spread fast that the luxury magazine Absolute was folding after Domingo Cuadra reportedly lost interest in funding the Spanish-origin magazine. Then rumors starting circulating that real estate tycoon William May was ready to shell out seven figures to bring the publication back. Now the word on the street is that New York Home, owned by Hour Media, a Michigan-based publishing group, is ready to bring the magazine back. Whatever the case may be, I wish they would finally make a decision. I personally loved the magazine, and every time I hear a rumor that it is re-opening, it is the same as hearing that Sex and the City is moving to the big screen - always on the edge, but never reaching full climax.
On other magazine news, Conde Nast has finally released the name of their new business magazine, Portfolio – originally rumored to be called Quote. This is just months after they closed the popular men’s magazine Cargo, reportedly due to low circulation and interest from advertisers. Taking the reins as editor is Joanne Lipman. She has a big hill to climb if she hopes to make it a successful launch. Glossy business publications are always a difficult endeavor as it is hard to keep the readers captivated.
The last bit of news comes as a pleasant surprise from VIBE magazine. The pub geared towards African American men will release a polybagged issue called V-Style with the October issue. The special issue will be sent to 200,000 VIBE male subscribers over the age of 21 in hopes of tapping into a portion of the market where a lot of men’s magazines have not begun to tread. It will feature everything from fashion and gadgets to liquor and cars.
“V-Style is where they [the target demographic] can come to learn about fashion and accessories—what’s the right cigar, the right wine, the right books to have in your library, not just the ones to say you’ve read, but the ones you should have read to transition from a boy to a man,” said Len Burnett, Vibe’s group publisher.
Jeff Mazzacano, Vibe’s corporate accounts director, who spearheaded the project, adds, “While V-Style men love sneakers and rims, they don’t need to be inundated with it in every book they pick up.”
For more news on all of the above, visit Jossip.com.
Posted by Lance Buckley on June 13, 2006 3:07 PM
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