It's Tuesday: 5 Things About the World of Magazines and Media - Issue #22
Peak leaf season is mostly behind us out here in the flatlands by the lake and the trees are starting to look bare. The tall prairie grass is brown, lying flat and trampled looking. However, there are still a lot of Halloween pumpkins out in the neighborhood. The squirrels and raccoons are very appreciative of that and they're having quite a feast. The coyotes, coy dogs and sparrow hawks also appreciate these leftover pumpkins.
Yeah, winter is coming. So's Thanksgiving and all the holidays that come after that. Do you have some things you're grateful for? You'll be asked about that in a few weeks so you'd best make a list.
After you read item #1 in my review of the news, you'll know what I'll be grateful for come June 30, 2022.
Read on!
#1. The Alliance for Audited Media announces new, updated reporting procedures.
16 FAQs About the Magazine Media Rule and Reporting Changes — blog.auditedmedia.com Read FAQs regarding AAM’s new magazine simplification initiative, which is designed to streamline reports and data with updated reporting requirements.
12 Changes Coming to Magazine Media Reports and Audits — blog.auditedmedia.com AAM's new initiative is to streamline magazine reports and data, and update reporting requirements to reflect current market conditions. Here are 12 of the changes.
If you’ve ever sat in the stale air of a conference room and tried to explain to the higher ups how the audit reporting process works and why those 2,537 copies are marketplace and not public placement, then you’re in for a treat because our friends at the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM and formerly ABC), have announced updated streamlined rules that eliminate a lot of overlap and make the reporting process easier and more timely.
Personally, I’ve struggled through some pretty rough reporting periods and my fair share of nail biting audits. But the thing that has remained true for me is that no matter what, the folks at AAM are always helpful, friendly, and do their best to aim you in the right direction.
Their new procedures look really sharp and I like that they have wholly embraced digital circulation and membership categories.
#2. The International Magazine Centre in the UK asks: Is it time to give up cover mounts?
Housty, is it time for magazines to stop cover-mounting? – International Magazine Centre — internationalmagazinecentre.com October's question to our brilliant publishing consultant Peter Houston came from The Week Junior's Editorial Director Anna Bassi.
If you're scratching your head, you must be stateside. On this side of the Atlantic we call them "polybags" and back in the late '90's and early '00s, chances are your magazine was in a plastic bag and a "Free AOL Membership Disc!" was stuck to the cover.
I recall a magazine buyer telling me that she once contemplated not bringing luggage with her on a buying trip to the UK because she could walk off her plane at Heathrow, stop at the nearest magazine stand, buy a few women's magazines and completely outfit herself for her trip. She claims she wasn't exaggerating. Too much.
At one time, polybags were a pretty nifty way to incentivize and grow your newsstand audience. I used to love them and promoted them hard.
This article has me rethinking things. Time to bag the bag? Yeah, I kind of think so. It's time.
#3. Mediapost: Why People Cancel Media Subscriptions
Politics, Content Quality, And Fits of Pique: Why People Cancel Media Subscriptions 11/02/2021 — www.mediapost.com Politics, Content Quality, And Fits of Pique: Why People Cancel Media Subscriptions - 11/02/2021
Magazine executive and writer, Tony Silber covers a really interesting deep dive that the Neiman Lab did into media subscriptions and why people cancel them.
Not surprisingly money (or perceived value) was a big motivator. Honestly, I am often threatening to "audit" all of the things I'm subscribed too in part because I wonder if I use them enough to be worth what I'm paying.
But I guess it's a good thing (For the media companies anyway) that they make canceling such a pain in the neck.
#4. US Files Antitrust suit to block ViacomCBS's sale of Simon & Schuster to PenguinRandomHouse.
U.S. Government Files Antitrust Suit to Block ViacomCBS’ Sale of Simon & Schuster — www.hollywoodreporter.com The U.S. filed an antitrust suit to block ViacomCBS from selling publisher Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House.
Justice Department Sues to Block Sale of Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House — www.yahoo.com The antitrust suit would stop a $2.2 billion deal announced last year for ViacomCBS' book publishing division
What happens when the gatekeepers become the gatekeepers to the gatekeepers? The suit states that the merger would be harmful to consumers (ie: readers) as well as to producers and authors. Well, yeah. When one company controls more than 50% of any given industry, a lot of people from the supply chain down to the end user are going to get squeezed. And from personal experience, the company that controls that much market share also becomes more concerned about market share and control of the market than they do about their suppliers and customers.
It appears that the suit focuses in on the payout of advances to best selling authors. But really, this is what happens when an industry consolidates and becomes addicted to nothing but home runs and blockbusters. Those are fun. I love it when an issue nets out as the best seller of the year and sets a new record. But if you really want to win the game, try hitting a bunch of singles and doubles.
<<Waves “Hi” to the movie industry and the MCU>>
<<Waves “Hi” again to the magazine industry and the “Rise of the Bookazine” <—a rather scary movie, I may add.
#5 Forbes: Do you have the right personality to Freelance? A new survey sheds a light.
Do You Have The Right Personality To Freelance? A New Survey Sheds Light — www.forbes.com New data shows that freelancers score higher than traditional workers on conscientiousness, openness, agreeableness and extroversion, offering insight to the soft skills necessary for success.
This was a fascinating read on so many levels. I’d never heard of Skynova or their templates (So I learned something new, thank you!). And, while I was aware of the “Big Five Personality Test”, I’d never taken it before.
No, I’m not about to share my results.
However, the question that keeps popping up in my head is this: If you are an employee at a big firm, how can you possibly be an entrepreneur?
After all, an entrepreneur is really just another word for a freelancer. Resources are optional.
And now for your moment(s) of Magazine Zen...
And here's some bonus Magazine Zen...
No Agita this week! Let's just enjoy the bliss of a magazine that made it to 25 years and exhilaration a local publisher brings to their community every month.
Did you enjoy reading this? I hope so. If you did, please click like and subscribe. It will be delivered to your in-box once a week. Usually on Tuesdays, but sometimes on Wednesdays. Hey, there's still a global pandemic going on, the supply chain is a bit messed up and so I get a little busy. Let's be a little flexible!
Got any questions or comments? Please drop me a line. You can always reach me at joe.berger@newsstandpros.com
That’s it! May your week be filled with short, concise and jargon free emails. May your meetings last no longer than 20 minutes.