Wednesday News Round-Up for October 3rd

If you’ve had your fill of presidential politics and debate hype this evening, grab some industry news here in a spin-free zone.  All titles with an asterisk* are included in the Wooden Horse Database.  Check it out at http://www.woodenhorsepub.com.

BLOOMBERG PURSUITS* magazine will increase its frequency from twice a year to a quarterly schedule in 2013…

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL* publisher Hearst will combine editorial departments for its design group of shelter magazines.  Hearst also is likely to eliminate positions as a result of the consolidation…

PARENTING SCHOOL YEARS* will increase its rate base to 575,000, a hike of 4.5%.  This will be second circulation jump since 2009 for the magazine…

AMERICAN BANKER* publisher SourceMedia is up for sale by its owner, Investcorp…

ASPEN MAGAZINE* has been acquired by Modern Luxury Media from owner Janet O’Grady, janran@aspenmagazine.com and @roving81611, who will stay on as the publication’s editor-in-chief…

CONSUMER REPORTS* currently is undergoing a major restructuring…

NEW YORK MAGAZINE* picked up Jessica Silvester, jessica.silvester@nymag.com, as shopping editor…

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL* Editor-in-Chief Newell Turner, no email available, @tnturner3, will become editor-in-chief for the Hearst magazine’s design group…

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL* will search for a new editor-in-chief to replace Newell Turner, who is being promoted…

BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK* hired Emma Rosenblum, erosenblum2@bloomberg.net and @EmmaRosenblum, as editor for the ‘Etc’ section…

CONSUMER REPORTS* ousted editorial director Kevin McKean as part of its restructuring…

COMPLEX* magazine said goodbye to fashion assistant Frederick Marfil…

AMERICAN PHOTO* named Miriam Leuchter, miriam.leuchter@bonniercorp.com, as the new editor-in-chief…

CHEMICAL & ENGINEERING NEWS Editor-in-Chief Rudy Baum stepped down…

CHEMICAL & ENGINEERING NEWS promoted A Maureen Rouhi, m_rouhi@acs.org, to editor-in-chief…

The more things change…

Is it time for a new revolt?

Back in 1970, 46 female employees at NEWSWEEK* sued the magazine for discrimination in hiring and promotion.  The suit was brought by the talented, well-educated young women who distributed the mail, clipped newspaper stories or worked as researchers doing fact-checking, because that was the most they could aspire to at that time.  There were no female writers or editors at Newsweek.

After quietly planning their uprising for weeks—in the ladies restrooms—they announced the lawsuit on March 16 of that year, the same day Newsweek hit newsstands with the cover story, ‘Women in Revolt.’  The timing was not an accident, but was orchestrated to gain maximum publicity for their cause.

The story of this groundbreaking episode in American media history, and how it brought about change, is chronicled in the recent book, ‘Good Girls Revolt: How the Women of Newsweek Sued their Bosses and Changed the Workplace’ by Lynn Povich, one of the leading ladies of the revolt.  It’s a tale that offers context for younger women, who may take for granted the benefits that redound to them from the struggles of their Mad Men-era sisters.

But before we get all smug and self-satisfied about how far we’ve come since those days, let’s fast-forward to 2012, and the latest editorial salary survey released by FOLIO:* magazine.

The survey revealed that female magazine editors make, on average, $15,000 less than their male counterparts.  Using data from 513 editors, the differences between men and women’s salaries span all editorial levels.  And sadly, as Folio: editor Bill Mickey told the Atlantic Wire in an interview, the gap is where it historically has been.  But Mickey doesn’t provide any insights into why this is so, and simply said it reflects “national trends across other industries.”

But, even if others do it, it isn’t right.

Friday News Round-Up for September 28th

In case you need a reason to feel old, the CD turns 30 years old on October 1.  On that day, Billy Joel’s ‘52nd Street’ compact disc was released in Japan.  While you consider the timelessness of CD technology, read up on the latest news.  Remember, all titles with an asterisk* are included in the Wooden Horse Database.

WSJ STYLE MAGAZINE no longer has Deborah Needleman as editor-in-chief…

T: THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE snagged new Editor-in-Chief Deborah Needleman, dneedleman@nytimes.com and @debbieneedles…

PREVENTION* brought in new editorial director and senior vice president Anne Alexander, anne.alexander@rodale.com…

SELF* welcomed new online features editor Rachel Jacoby, rachel_jacoby@condenast.com and @rjacoby13…

MAXIM* picked up new senior editor Laura Leu, laura.leu@gmail.com and @LauraLeu…

O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE* appointed Leigh Haber, lhaber@hearst.com and @leighhaber, as the new books editor…

SEVENTEEN* picked up new beauty assistant Amanda Elser, aelser@hearst.com and @amandaaelser…

SALON* now has new arts editor Kera Bolonik, kbolonik@salon.com and @KeraBolonik, at its New York bureau…

SEATTLE MAGAZINE* managing editor Kristen Russell has left the publication…

SEATTLE MAGAZINE* will welcome new managing editor Lisa Wogan, lisa.wogan@tigeroak.com, beginning October 1…

AVIATION WEEK* is promoting Joe Anselmo, joe_anselmo@aviationweek.com, from managing editor to editor-in-chief in January 2013…

MODERN HEALTHCARE* said goodbye to Editor-in-Chief David Burda, who was with the publication since 1987.  No replacement has been named.

MODERN HEALTHCARE* appointed chief of editorial operations John Thomas, jthomas@modernhealthcare.com, as the interim editor-in-chief, pending a replacement…

Wednesday News Round-Up for September 19th

Yes, the leaves are barely changing, but Toys ‘R Us is out with a list of this year’s hottest Christmas toys.  The list proves that everything comes back around if you wait long enough.  A new version of Furby, the fuzzy robot, is back, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair apparently is in demand.  Who would have guessed?  For now, let’s forget about Christmas and focus on the latest industry news.  All titles with an asterisk* are included in the Wooden Horse Database.

DEPARTURES*, the American Express luxury magazine, will increase its rate base to 900,000 in 2013…

PREVENTION* will reposition its editorial content and unveil a revamp in January of 2013…

FAMILY FUN* will debut a relaunch with the October issue, including new content and a new look.  The changes have been in the works since Meredith acquired the magazine from Disney in February of this year.  Three new categories—create, play and explore—divide the publication, with expanded departments for learning, health and travel.  Readers also will notice new graphics for both the print and digital editions…

Conde Nast has asked its publishers to cut 5% from their budgets, due to a weak ad market…

GOLF DIGEST* cut staffers last week…

TEEN VOGUE* made staff cuts last week…

Hearst CEO Frank Bennack has tapped the company’s COO, Steven Swartz, to take over for him.  No date for the change has been announced…

THOROUGHBRED TIMES, covering horse racing and breeding, ceased operations on Friday, September 14.  Financial shortfalls reportedly were to blame…

BRIDES* magazine no longer has weddings style assistant Larysa Balko…

EVERY DAY WITH RACHAEL RAY* snagged Abbie Kozolchyk, abbie.kozolchyk@meredith.com, as the new beauty and travel editor…

BUDGET TRAVEL* named Gillian Telling, Gillian.telling@budgettravel.com, as the new editor-in-chief…

CFO MAGAZINE* promoted Taylor Provost, taylorprovost@cfo.com, to editor for technology…

SAN DIEGO HOME/GARDEN LIFESTYLES earlier this month lost Editor-in-Chief Ron Donoho.  No replacement has been named…

PLANSPONSOR magazine promoted Kristen Heinzinger, kheinzinger@assetinternational.com, to associate editor…

Wednesday News Round-Up for September 12th

We don’t know if you caught sight of the iPhone 5 today during the great unveiling. Just beware…apparently the new model allows Siri to post your vocalizations to Facebook.  Imagine accidentally posting you thoughts onto your FB account.  Before your consider that disaster, check out the latest industry news.  All titles with an asterisk* are part of the Wooden Horse Database.

The Hearst intern class action lawsuit now has an estimated 3,000 plaintiffs, and may be decided sometime in 2013…

Nomad Editions, the digital magazine publisher which began three years ago, will close its last three titles, UNCORKED, SNOOTH WINE BUYERS GUIDE and HEMMINGS CLASSIC WHEELS…

GLAMOUR* magazine will debut a website redesign in October, featuring more visuals and video…

ESQUIRE* magazine will debut a spinoff supplement, ESQUIRE, WORKING, with the October issue.  The 56-page issue is being marketed as a one-off, at least for the time being…

THE DEAL financial magazine reportedly has been acquired by TheStreet, Inc. for $5.8 million…

T: THE NEW YORK TIMES STYLE MAGAZINE will increase its frequency to 11 times per year in 2012, and 12 times per year in 2013.  The publication launched in 2008 with just four issues…

CRITTERS USA annual magazine is ceasing print with the 2013 issue…

FERRETS USA magazine has ceased print with the 2012 issue, but information can still be found at http://www.smallanimalchannel.com…;

SEVENTEEN* brought in new executive editor Bethany Heitman, bheitman@hearst.com…

SEVENTEEN* magazine promoted Kaitlin Menza, kmenza@hearrst.com and @heykmenz, to lifestyle editor…

FITNESS* magazine welcomed new associate beauty editor Molly Ritterbeck, molly.ritterbeck@meredith.com and @MollyRitt…

JET* welcomed Anslem Rocque, asrocque@jetmag.com, as the new managing editor…

ADVERTISING AGE* named Cotton Delo, cdelo@adage.com and @cottondelo, as the new San Francisco bureau chief…

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS* named Greg Kayko, greg.kayko@meredith.com and @gkayko, as the new managing editor…

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS* promoted Kelly Ryan Kegans, kelly.kegans@meredith.com, and @Bibliofiles1, to senior deputy editor…

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS* welcomed Melissa Feldman, melissa.feldman@meredith.com, as East Coast home editor…

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS* promoted Maggie Meyer, Maggie.meyer@meredith.com and @MargaretLauren, to senior food editor…

Betting on the local angle, a new sports mag debuts

Niche, hyperlocal, microtargeted…

These terms have different meanings, but they all have the same objective in a shaky media environment: appeal to a small, selective and, hopefully, built-in audience to increase your chance of success.

Sometimes it works (think GARDEN & GUN*, FOOD NETWORK MAGAZINE* or DU JOUR*), and sometimes not so much (a moment of silence for PLUM HAMPTONS* and URBAN CLIMBER*).

So, what happens when you add a dash of vanity to the mix?

USA Today Sports Media is making a pitch to local, niche magazine audiences with the debut of PRIME, a new high school football glossy.

While the newspaper’s website already offers a high school sports vertical, USA Today Sports president, Tom Beusse, believes they can harness readers’ personal interest in local prep football stars, and parlay that into print success.

“We realized that we have this tremendous distribution through print around the country,” Beusse is quoted as saying, “so why not create magazines that are essentially keepsakes?”

While the idea of attracting readers through vanity appeal is commonplace—local newspapers have been doing it for decades—it’s a risky and expensive gambit for a national magazine.

Prime was scheduled to debut Labor Day weekend, with 550,000 copies distributed in 11 major media markets, including Washington, DC and Phoenix. Most were included as inserts in Gannett newspapers, and the rest will be available in schools.

The magazine reportedly combines national content, such as rankings and reviews, with local stories and listings.  If it’s a hit, USA Today plans to expand the brand into basketball and other high school sports.

Niche + targeting + vanity…

We’ll see if the equation adds up to a win.

Wednesday News Round-Up for August 29th

Need a diversion from politicking and conventions?  You’ve come to the right place!  Nothing around here but magazine media news.  All magazine titles sporting an asterisk* are included in our helpful Wooden Horse Database.

ADVERTISING AGE* will introduce a redesign and repositioning on September 10.  In print since 1930, the weekly publication will focus on analysis rather than breaking news, reduce the trim size to 10 X 13” and end the practice of jumping articles from the magazine’s front to the back.  The new format also includes a renamed editorial and op-ed section, now called ‘Opinion,’ which will be moved from to the back-of-book…

BACKSTAGE will unveil a redesign for the print magazine on Thursday, August 30.  The website also has been redesigned.  Changes for the 52-year-old publication include upgraded glossy paper stock, decreasing the trim size from 11.5 X 15” to 9 X 10.875” and greater integration between the website and magazine…

THE WRITER* will not go on hiatus after the October issue, as previously announced last month.  Instead, the magazine will be purchased by Boston-based Madavor Media from current owner Kalmbach Publishing, and there should be no interruption for the print edition…

BIRDWATCHING* magazine will be acquired by Madavor Media…

BLOOMBERG INSIDER, a special edition glossy magazine showcasing Bloomberg brands and resources, will be in print during the two political conventions.  The new publication features exclusive stories by staffers from BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK*, Bloomberg View, Bloomberg LP, Bloomberg Government and Bloomberg BNA.  More than 10,000 copies will be distributed for free at both conventions.  Visit http://go.bloomberg.com/special-reports/report/bloomberg-insider for more information…

T: THE NEW YORK TIMES STYLE MAGAZINE will say goodbye to Editor-in-Chief Sally Singer at the end of August.  No replacement has been chosen…

US WEEKLY* named Alisandra Puliti, alisandra.puliti@usmagazine.com, as the new deputy news director…

PC GAMER* snagged new associate editor Omri Petitte, omri@pcgamer.com and @omripetitte…

PEOPLE EN ESPANOL welcomed new fashion and beauty editor Daniella Lopez, daniella_lopez@peoplemag.com…

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL named Jan Brenny, jbrenny@cscpub.com, as the publication’s new editor…

Friday News Round-Up for August 24th

One of the hottest feeds on the Twitter machine these days belongs to the Mars rover, Curiosity. As informative as it is engaging, @MarsCuriosity gives voice and personality to the visiting robot.  Check it out the next time you’re tweeting when you should be doing something else.  Grab the latest industry news while you’re here.  All titles with an asterisk* are included in our Wooden Horse Database.

SMITHSONIAN* magazine is unveiling a redesign with the September issue, to be released on August 27.  Under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Michael Caruso this year, the magazine has lured major name-brand writers to contribute and shifted to shorter, more accessible articles.  Now the look has been updated, using heavier glossy stock and new graphic design…

PREVENTION* ousted Editor-in-Chief Diane Salvatore on Thursday of this week.  Although circulation remains high at 2.8 million and newsstand sales are up, ad sales are reported to be disappointing…

NEW YORK MAGAZINE* snagged Rebecca Ramsey, rebecca_ramsey@nymag.com and @RebeccaRams, as the new fashion editor.  Ramsey comes to the magazine from LUCKY*, where she was a fashion market editor…

INSTYLE* co-founder and fashion director, Hal Rubenstein, will step down from his post in October…

O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE* promoted Kristina Lepore, klepore@hearst.com and @kristinalepore, to associate fashion market editor…

O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE* named Robin Beck, rbeck@hearst.com, as fashion market and accessories director…

O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE* hired Britton Taylor, btaylor@hearst.com, as a fashion assistant…

GQ* will welcome back Kevin Sintumuang, kevin_sintumuang@condenast.com and @sintumuang, as the new multimedia editor, overseeing editorial content for GQ.com.  In a previous stint, Sintumuang served at GQ as an associate editor…

GQ* promoted Will Welch, will_welch@condenast.com and @willwelch, to senior editor for style…

GQ* promoted Ted Stafford, ted_stafford@condenast.com, to fashion market director…

PC WORLD* said goodbye to Ginny Mies, associate editor covering audio players and phones…

NYLON* magazine welcomed back Rebecca Willa Davis, Rebecca@nylonmag.com and @RebeccaWD, as online executive editor…

OXYGEN* magazine promoted Helen Vong, hvong@oxygenmag.com and @HelenVong, from nutrition editor to deputy editor of digital content and special issues…

OXYGEN* magazine promoted Kirstyn Brown, kbrown@oxygenmag.com, from assistant editor to nutrition editor…

BUSINESS INSIDER* in July brought on board Jennifer Welsh, jwelch@businessinsider.com and @microbelover, as science editor…

Filling a void? Modern Luxury Media sees an opening for a new Hamptons mag

MODERN LUXURY HAMPTONS, a regional luxe lifestyle magazine, will debut in 2013, joining sister publication MODERN LUXURY MANHATTAN.  With the demise of PLUM HAMPTONS, Modern Luxury saw a market opportunity.

Readers will find the familiar Modern Luxury mix of homes, entertainment, dining, fashion and more, along with plenty of advertisements for luxury goods.

Published bimonthly, the new glossy will go head-to-head with Niche Media’s well-established HAMPTONS magazine, now in print for 30 years.  Modern Luxury Manhattan’s Editor-in-Chief, Cristina Greeven Cuomo, ccuomo@modernluxury.com, also will serve in that role for Modern Luxury Hamptons.  The website, www.modernluxury.com/hamptons, is not yet active…

In the first half of 2012, magazines compete for ‘The Weakest Title’

If it was a reality TV show, we might call it ‘The Weakest Title’ or ‘The Amazing Race to the Bottom.’

But unfortunately, it’s not a show; it’s an entire industry.

The most recent report from the Audit Bureau of Circulations paints a bleak picture of the magazine industry as a whole, as newsstand sales continued their steady descent during the first half of 2012.

Overall newsstand sales dropped nearly 10% with 21 of the top 25 magazines seeing losses.  The weakest contenders belong to the celebrity category.  The once-reliable PEOPLE* dropped by more than 18%.  US WEEKLY*, IN TOUCH WEEKLY*, and STAR* also saw double-digit declines.  Weekly news magazines, like NEWSWEEK* and TIME*, slumped further as well, still losing ground in the 24/7 news cycle.

Women’s and fashion titles took a hit as well.  VANITY FAIR* was down by nearly 19%, VOGUE* by more than 16% and COSMOPOLITAN* by over 15%.  The biggest loser in this category was WEIGHT WATCHERS*, which shed more than 27% of its single-copy sales.

There were some bright spots in food and shelter titles.  Sales of industry darling FOOD NETWORK MAGAZINE* took off, rising almost 18%.  WOMAN’S DAY* and FAMILY CIRCLE* saw respective gains of 8% and 6%.  ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST* was up by more than 8%, proving we all need to dream a little.

For the first time, the ABC reported separate numbers for digital editions of magazines, which account for less than 2% of all copies sold.  The big winner, by a mile, was GAME INFORMER* with a digital circulation of 1.2 million.  Following at a distant second is MAXIM* with fewer than 300,000 digital copies.