Innovate - Motivate - Initiate - Create
Issue #79
An email thread passed by me last week that suggested that even though we were in week three of 2023, the year still had that “New Year Smell” to it. I’ve never heard of a new year compared to the smell of a new car, but OK, I’ll play along. The theory, my metaphorically challenged Zoomer was suggesting was that the new year was supposed to be the motivator to get “it” all done. Take the lead! Make it work!
Yeah, OK.
It’s the first quarter of the new year, so we’re supposed to be initiating all those new initiatives and racking up all those “nicely done” emails from the head office, right?
Some time passed and I had shut down the email window and was working on another project when my mind drifted into the whole glass half full, half empty equation. Personally, I buy into neither position. To me, the glass is the glass and there’s something in it. My question is always: “So, what are you going to do with that glass and the liquid that’s in it?”
Answer: If it’s a tasty beverage, drink it, then get yourself another.
The news last week about Vogue Magazine reducing the number of print issues is simply the corporate response to continuing decline of print advertising and the rising cost of paper, ink, postage and shipping. It’s not the end of the world. It’s an ongoing business problem and the era of cheap, mass produced magazines ended some time ago. Thanks for noticing. I hope Condé Nast figures it all out. They’re motivated to stay in business. They’ve initiated a process to insure their future.
Consultant Peter Houston making a magazine is kind of an interesting innovation. He knows magazines, he’s a good writer. People in our business trust him. The end result will be something that magazine people from all areas of the business will want to read.
Finally, check out Dense Magazine and their Art Fair. What a fascinating and interesting concept! That’s true innovation.
1___Vogue Magazine reduces its frequency to 10 issue per year
The current issue of the magazine is the “Winter” issue. This is part of an ongoing process that started back in 2020 when the publisher cut their frequency from monthly to 11 issues.
This is something that is worth reporting and commenting on. But I no longer think that these announcements are as key or as profound as they once were. This will most likely be the last time I highlight a frequency change or shuttering at the top of a newsletter or blog post.
2___Publishers say the removal of Twitter Moments caused referral traffic to dip
Many publishers were using Twitter Moments as a way to build traffic around major events and articles. The removal of that feature once Elon Musk took over the site meant that referral traffic showed a pronounced dip.
This begs the question: Did traffic from Twitter mean all that much to publishers? Yes, for some. No, for many others. I would also ask, what is the future of using social media as a way to build audiences? Is there a better way?
3___Brian Morrissey of “The Rebooting” has some thoughts on ownership
Morrissey, the former editor in chief of Digiday points out how hard it is for the media business to manage trust, especially in today’s market when millionaires and billionaires seem to want to own the sources of news. As an example, the recently launched news site, Semafor, got a significant portion of their start up funding from former crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried.
This is the risk that media companies take when raising funding and handing over a percentage of their ownership in exchange.
Is the solution smaller media organizations that “bootstrap” their financing? It feels like a possibility. But the world seems to require scale for everything so will small start-ups make a difference?
4___File under: Whoa! Houston is making a magazine!
If you’re in the magazine media business, and you’re already subscribed to Peter Houston’s Magazine Diaries newsletter, then this is not news.
As Houston points out, there are already a lot of newsletters (Waves “Hi!”), podcasts and even a few magazines already out there about the magazine world. But most of them are about the business side of the industry. In the case of the soon to be launched Grub Street Journal, Houston and his wife, Joanna Cummings plan to write about the people who make magazines.
Frankly, I can’t wait to read their very first story which Houston says will ask the question: “What kind of idiots still make magazines?”
Yes, indeed. What kind?
5___New Jersey’s Dense Magazine starts a book fair
Sure, if you work with regional magazines then you may have heard of the likes of New Jersey Monthly or New Jersey Bride or other state and local publications based in the Garden State.
But Dense Magazine was a new one to me, and after reading about the publication and the book fair they’re starting in Jersey City to bring together small indie publishers, zines, and artists, I really want to know more.
Dense is a ten issue publication that talks about design, art and innovation in the state of New Jersey. That’s ten issues. Only. Not ten per year. Think about that for a minute. And when this publication discusses design and design innovation, they’re not talking luxury interiors and high end aspirational goods. As an example: The very first issue covers opening day of the New Jersey Turnpike.
Your Moment of Magazine Zen…
Is not exactly magazine zen…
And I have to ask…If people’s noses are in their phones at the checkout, what are your chances of selling more doo-dads and hydration stations than a $12.99 Slow Cooker SIP?
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please give it a boost by clicking “Like” and then subscribe. You’ll get a brand new release in your email in-box every Tuesday (Or sometimes Wednesday if things get a little crazy around here). Sometimes I‘ll even have some “bonus” content for you.
And now, before you head off to check on your morning email, let’s check in with the “re-branding consultants” that our favorite stressed out magazine team brought in to help them with their “Global Vision 2023” initiative…
If you’ve got a question or comment, please drop me a line. You can always reach me at joe.berger@newsstandpros.com.
Looking for me on the social sites?
It’s actually kind of a nice place. I got an invite to Post.News and you can find me here on this new app.
Yep, I’m still on Twitter. You can find me here. For now.
My Instagram link is here.
Every now and then I put on a suit and tie and even comb my hair. Here’s my LinkedIn profile.
May your week be productive, low in stress, and your in-box devoid of spam.