It's Tuesday: Who is a Publisher? What is a Magazine? - Issue #46
Can you define what a publisher is? What constitutes a magazine in this day and age?
That's a pretty good question in this speeded up world. Is a magazine simply a printed collection of curated specific interest stories crafted by editors and writers for a specific audience? Or is it more? If the pages exist only in digital format, is it a magazine?
Television shows like 60 Minutes and 20/20 call themselves newsmagazines. Are they? Really?
I thought about all of this when I saw the article below in TechCrunch about the New York State Attorney General investigating digital platforms Twitch, 4chan and Discord for their potential roles in the recent horrific Buffalo, NY mass shooting. Are those platforms actual publishers? If they are, does that also mean that more commonly used platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the same? How responsible should a company be for the actions its users undertake?
On a related front, as I prepared for a trip to a wedding last week, I realized that I needed some cash so I could tip bell hops, car valets and the like and I that I had no cash on hand. What's worse, I couldn't remember the pin code for my cash station card. Why? Ever since the pandemic began, all of my transactions have been online or in person with a credit card. My wallet was empty because I haven't used it since January 2020.
Why do I mention this? I found the story about the deadlock in the FCC important. It dawned on me how internet reliant I am these days and how cut off from the world I would become if I lost my access to the net. It disappoints me that once again, something that should be done to help people is held up because some politicians want to play chicken with citizen's lives.
It’s equally ridiculous that something that has become such a necessity for even the lowliest of us, is all too often inaccessible. And it’s inaccessible because some traders and analysts and politicians who’s lives resemble nothing like most people can’t manage without a specific return on their “investment.”
We deserve better from our elected officials. And, we deserve better from the unelected corporations that now impact so much of our daily lives.
1___Here we go again! Is People Magazine next on the DotDash Meredith chopping block?
People’s print magazine faces possible closure amid newsroom chaos: sources — nypost.com "The new editor doesn't know what she’s doing. Staff in the editorial meetings are texting each other and rolling their eyes when she talks," a source said.
To be fair, the article is only talking about a potential closure of the weekly print version of the magazine. But should that happen, it will of course be replaced with a series of SIPs conveniently cover priced well above the weekly newsstand price of People.
So is this possible? Would DotDash Meredith really kill the print version of one of the most successful magazines launched in the last half century?
Well, yes, they would. They would do that if their financial analysis said that the weekly print version is taking too many resources and not returning the type of investment their financial analysts say the magazine should be returning to the company.
That may make magazine lovers and tillers of the circulation soil, like myself, tilt my head back and howl at the moon. However, too bad. It's their company and their analysis.
But based on some back of the envelope calculating I've done, if People were added to the six other magazines the company shuttered, we'd be taking a little over 19 million sold copies out of the newsstand per year and more than 288 million copies total (newsstand and paid and verified subs) out of the market.
Sounds world killing to me.
2___And if that's not depressing you, Outside, Inc. closes print magazines, lays off staff
Outside Inc. Lays Off Scores of Workers in Major Restructure | GearJunkie — gearjunkie.com Outside characterized its decision to lay off 85-90 employees recently as 'reducing headcount.' Several print publications will disappear.
Outside Ends Monthly Print Run of Backpacker, Climbing, and More Amid Layoffs — www.adventure-journal.com Venture capital-owned Outside Inc tightens its belt.
Hey, wait a second, weren't we recently lauding this re-branding of a conglomeration of vaunted outdoor magazines?
These two articles will give you an idea as to what is going on. But for me it’s personal because one of my earliest jobs was in the circulation department of Outside Magazine back when it was located in Chicago. This was one of my favorite jobs. Throughout my career, I’ve paid close attention to to my former employer and was rarely surprised by the moves its former owner, Larry Burke made to keep the title interesting, thriving and alive.
Since the acquisition and re-branding by the formally named Pocket Media I have had my fingers crossed that the above was not going to happen. But venture capital money, like most money, is only interested in acquiring more of the same. So here we are.
While at Outside, I kept a close eye on titles like Backpacker, Climbing and Ski and have done so ever since. And when I got me back into running gear later in life, I kept an eye on titles like Triathlete. All of these are now owned by the re-branded Outside, Inc.
The link below takes you to a thoughtful piece from Adventure Journal’s founder and editor, Stephen Casimiro who aptly points out: “Despite our deep emotional connection to storytelling and love for adventure, selling something in the marketplace subjects you to the same Darwinian Capitalism as any other product. Outside is struggling because their model isn’t working…”
Click on the link below to get the whole story. Also, if you like Outside Magazine, miss Backpacker or Climbing, you will really love Adventure Journal.
Thoughts on Outside’s Layoffs, Outdoor Media, and Adventure Journal — www.adventure-journal.com In the wake of magazine closures and reductions, it’s time for readers to reconsider what they value
3___And in less depressing print news...Newport Life Magazine is resurrected by local residents
Become a free MediaPost member now to read this article — www.mediapost.com 'Newport Life' Finds New Life - 05/23/2022
News flash to all the VCs and opinion writers out there: People want to read about the doings in the places they live!
The purchase of the Newport Daily News by newspaper giant Gannett in the previous decade also meant that they picked up the sister magazine, Newport Life. Many newspapers launched city and regional publications over the last half century as a way to reach more targeted and influential audiences.
But as is so often the case in this decade, declining newspaper fortunes means less flexibility and in this instance Gannett executives didn’t want to continue this local magazine. Cue some unnamed local investors who acquired the title and will relaunch the publication this summer with its regular seven times a year frequency and an expanded editorial mission.
4___TechCrunch: NY AG investigates platforms for role in Buffalo shooting
NY AG is investigating Twitch, Discord and 4chan for their role in the Buffalo mass shooting – TechCrunch — techcrunch.com
New York Attorney General Letitia James will launch an investigation into the role that social media and online message boards played in the tragedy that unfolded in Buffalo over the weekend. […]
So who is a publisher? Or are they just platforms? And if so, how much content moderation should there be?
And there's this: The Buffalo shooter invited others to see his diary just before the attack. Who's responsible for that?
5___Axios: FCC deadlocked over Digital Equity plans due to Senate hold on nomination
Deadlocked FCC could derail Biden's digital equity plans — www.axios.com Biden's appointment of Gigi Sohn to the commission is still on hold in the Senate.
So, do they go into politics to do stuff? Or to get on cable news channels and get invited to conferences where they can spout stuff?
Asking for a friend (who has unreliable internet service...)
Your moment of Magazine Zen is brought to you by...
As "they" say in your emails: I hope this Tuesday newsletter found you well and having a good week.
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.
If you’ve got a question or comment, please drop me a line. You can always reach me at joe.berger@newsstandpros.com.
Want to follow me on Twitter? You can find me here.
Check out my Instagram link here.
Want to feel all professional and see what I look like with a suit and tie? Did you know that people used to wear suits and ties to work? Maybe things aren’t so terrible now! Here’s my LinkedIn.
I hear there's a new Keurig in the break room so head on down there for a fresh cup before you dive into those 23 scheduled meetings on your calendar. You've got this!
Have a great week!