The Business of Magazines

[reesewu]

Yes, it is primarily due to shrinking advertising share. When Google and Meta (Facebook) came along, they took the majority of ad money that previously would have gone to print magazines. That changed everything. I started out as an assistant (at Conde Nast) in 2004, and it was another world compared to what it is today. Budgets are a fraction of what they were, magazines are a fraction of the size they once were, staff at each magazine is probably half of what it used to be.

This x 100. Hence my support for the policy to break up the big tech (Elizabeth Warren had this plan during her presidential run) because one of the biggest problems from the monopolization of big tech companies is how they have ruined the media landscape. Print is no longer considered important because ads ran on magazines, newspapers, or tabloids don't necessarily result in measurable metrics (circulation and readership can only go so far) whereas digital can cater to marketing's full funnels with clear KPIs even down to conversion in which the return of investment (or ad spend) is more laser-focused, and when people are trying to actually purchase the product, the marketplace is also monopolized by Google, Meta, and Amazon's algorithm. This fast-paced shift to online-centric media ecosystem is what caused advertisers to be driven by the aforementioned platforms (Google and Meta, more specifically).

But nothing's gonna change anytime soon and such policy--although good--would be a wishful thinking because these big techs have policy-deciding politicians in a chokehold as well. It's a systematic issue that would position anyone against it in a losing battle which I'm afraid is where print stands at the moment. It may be an empty remark but print does need to offer something that online media can't provide (e.g going exclusive with contents, being so unapologetically glamorous with its fashion offerings for HF outlets that any influencers couldn't even dare try). However, with the lack of advertisers, can they even afford to go there?

 

[Benn98]

It may be an empty remark but print does need to offer something that online media can't provide (e.g going exclusive with contents, being so unapologetically glamorous with its fashion offerings for HF outlets that any influencers couldn't even dare try). However, with the lack of advertisers, can they even afford to go there?

It's definitely still possible to create truly unique and creative editorials on a shoestring (just look at some of the content shot during lockdown with a very limited budget). I don't even think Vogue teams were big in the 70s and look at the type of fantasy location content they created.

The sad truth regarding most of the print magazines we talk about on here is that they nowadays only serve as an edge for the brand. What makes US Elle different from Man Repeller is that they have an actual magazine to give them credence (despite the fact that nobody might read it). Take the magazine away and their authority will dwindle. They'll just be another digital brand that will have to compete for followers, engagement, and advertisers next to someone who started their own blog 3 years ago. See Self, Glamour, Teen Vogue.

 

[NYLA22]

A radical idea that I'd love to see as an experiment (with one of the big magazine brands) is to have *just* a print publication, with no digital component whatsoever. Just 10-12 print publications per year and nothing else. I'd be curious to see what the result would be, if you get rid of all the digital "noise" and just create a singular, beautiful product that you couldn't see anywhere else. You would have to purchase the physical magazine in order to read the articles or see the images.

 

[Bertrando3]

 

[Bertrando3]

Anna Wintour on celebrating Vogue magazine's 130th anniversary

Condé Nast chief content officer and Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour joins Gayle King in studio to discuss the magazine’s 130th anniversary.
Source: CBS

 

[Bertrando3]

Gigi Hadid Talks Modeling, Motherhood And Move To Being A Fashion Designer

In this week’s Sunday Sitdown, Gigi Hadid takes Willie Geist on a tour of the headquarters of her fashion brand “Guest in Residence.” Hadid gives an update on her journey as a mom and shares her hopes to harness her years in front of the camera to create a model for the future.
Source: TODAY

 

[vogue28]

Bryan Boy is now editor-in-chief of Perfect:

 

[mikel]

Congratulations @BettinaBuffe

 

[thenewclassic]

Sorry if not the right place to post or AP.

 

[DK92]

At this point the only good thing Edward would bring to Vogue US would be Meisel/M&M and we know it would just be more recycling of their work.

 

[axiomatic]

Condé sources are adamant, however, that Wintour will not be leaving her perch anytime soon, leading many to speculate that she may try to appease Enninful by finding him another top job within the media empire.

One possible scenario: Whenever David Remnick steps down as editor of The New Yorker, Wintour would replace him with current Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones, opening a seat for Enninful to take over the prestigious outlet.

It's been consistently reported that AW has no control over The New Yorker (unmentioned i the Daily Beast article), so I'm not sure how seriously to take all of it..

 

[tigerrouge]

The suggestion of Edward at Vanity Fair? Sounds like a way to sideline him. Do the job well and you'd be stuck there for years. Do the job poorly and you've squandered all the momentum you built with British Vogue.

If he were to cross the Atlantic at this point, surely it would be US Vogue and nothing else.

 

[MON]

Let our response be: Just because you’re editor of British Vogue does it mean you’re next in line. Alexandra would like to have a word.

I’m quite confused why people think Edward’s vision will be the second coming of US Vogue. Edward’s vision is W Magazine in a different cloak. Even the font he uses is similar with Tonchi’s W Magazine. If that vision didn’t work in the US market (which even ended with the entire brand being sold), what makes one hopeful that it will work under the “Vogue” title?

The only great thing about UK Vogue now is Meisel. Even that is starting to be an issue as everything is same old same old. Assuming he does end up at US Vogue, make no mistake, models will rarely be on the cover unless its a model who’s very famous on TikTok. Good luck asking Meisel to photograph US’ emerging sweetheart, aka, Emma Chamberlain.

 

[KoV]

Much of the goodwill towards Edward from Americans is only because he is seen as someone who could dethrone Anna. And lots of people want to see Anna taken down. Many people online pretend they think British Vogue is the second coming, but don’t actually buy issues - which if I’m not mistaken are often heavily discounted even in the UK in order to sell at newsstands. It’s posturing because they think Anna is seen as racist, and publicly supporting Edward as an alternative paints them in a good light, they think. Edward is savvy and quite the starf*cker so I do think he would be able to adapt quite nicely to the American market by continuing in Anna’s footsteps. But anyone thinking he wouldn’t just continue the push towards digital, shared content, and the slimming down of print issues month after month is dreaming. And anyone who thinks he would be putting Kristen McMenamy, for instance, on an American cover is also dreaming.

 

[Bertrando3]

 

[aracic]

Watch American Vogue go to Glenda Bailey lmaooooo

 

[vogue28]

Munroe Bergdorf joins British Vogue as contributing editor:

 

[JPineapple]

Putting all your friends to contribute to your magazine is not the big move that you think, Edward

 

[avonlea002]

Not her lmao

 

[NYLA22]

Half the people who claim to see Enninful as a genius have no idea what they are talking about. It's just the "cool" thing to say right now. His covers are generally great (I'm still a Meisel stan) but open the magazine, and it's just as banal as US Vogue. And the idea of him taking over VF is laughable. He would have no idea what to do with it, outside of covers and the fashion pages.