No One Is Safe

I'm pretty sure I'm not bursting anyone's bubble by saying that the print journalism industry is maybe not at its peak right now, but POP. I know in class we have focused mainly on newspapers, but as a magazines major, I found this article more relevant to my own personal (lack of a) profession. This article shows that. Like the newspaper industry, magazines are cutting staff and have seen a decline in ad revenue - although I can't say I'm totally sure which one might have caused the other. For some magazines, say Men's Vogue, which has been basically dissolved and will become a biannual insert in regular Vogue, obviously thrive on advertising. Ads and selling clothes, products, a lifestyle are basically what Vogue - men's or otherwise - is all about. So for me - though I am not a reader of Men's Vogue and only occasionally peruse Vogue - usually when looking for a haircut - the fact that a magazine built on luxury for an arguably niche market product is not terribly surprising. Nor can I say I was shocked by this:

Playgirl folding? Really? The article about the editors' reflections was actually very interesting, but that aside - and not being personally familiar with the publication - I'm not surprised to see it fail. Even Playboy, which has what could be argued as a broader market, is facing difficulties.

To me, it makes sense for advertisers to not be excited about signing long-term commitments. There really isn't a guarantee that the publication will last. Nothing like having a contract with a company and finding out it is shutting down.

So how do I feel about magazines and their future? I think that, like newspapers, reading a magazine online is not the same as having it in front of you. In fact, I think it is more so the case with magazines - glossy pages, more colorful design - it is more about having it and flipping pages. I can't see a magazine like Lucky - a shopping magazine - being all online because who has the patience to wait for the pages and pages of pictures to load? Not me. I do, however, recognize that, like newspapers, magazines have to adapt to the Internet and the supplements it can provide - blogs, day to day items and instant subscriptions. Unlike newspapers though, which in some cases are stopping delivery, I do not see this as an option for magazines. I subscribe to one magazine - Entertainment Weekly (I love the Hit List), but would be very unlikely to make the drive to Barnes and Noble to buy it from the newsstand. I also think that most magazines offer ludicrous subscription deals - 10 issues for $10!!!! - and maybe should not be so quick to discount their products. But for me, it's all been downhill since Jane shut down.