And half of all BPA members boast digital magazine editions; plus, Time Inc. announces huge new position and Hearst sees increasing website traffic
For online publishers and visitors to the Mequoda Daily, it might seem like digital magazine editions dominate the industry, because they’re all you care about and all we write about. But believe it or not, they’re not quite there yet.
But digital magazine editions are getting there. Quickly. Strong print publications are transitioning to a multiplatform model, while others are going digital-only. As still others fold, more and more popping up as digital natives.
MinOnline is on it as always, with an article on BPA Worldwide’s recent report on market share, as well another on arguably the most important hire of the year and one more on Hearst’s evolving approach to audience development.
Digital Magazine Editions Establishing Market Foothold
A new survey from BPA Worldwide, the auditing organization, half of their members have digital magazine editions, MinOnline reports.
“528 of BPA’s members who publish print magazines reported digital circulation over the six months ending June 30, a 4.3 percent decline from the second half of last year, although digital editions now account for 25.8 percent of overall circulation, a slight increase over the preceding six-month period. The decline indicates an overall trend of the number of BPA member titles ceasing operations outweighing the number of new publications entering the marketplace, a BPA spokesperson tells Folio:,” Greg Dool writes.
“PM Network, a division of the Project Management Institute, boasts the largest average digital circulation in the first half of 2015, at 442,473, 88.2 percent of overall circulation. Among the 25 brands with the widest overall circulation, only Renewable Energy World is completely print-free, but just 71 of Computer magazine’s 45,631 average recipients received the publication in print. Luxe Interiors and Design and Bloomberg Markets are the two brands whose circulation is the least digital-heavy, at 11.2 and 11.9 percent, respectively.”
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Who Has the Massive Task of Heading Up Time Inc. Digital?
Time Inc. has named Jennifer Wong president of digital, a new position that oversees all digital and interactive strategies, MinOnline reports. Perhaps no other publisher on the planet has been as active on the multiplatform front as Time Inc. in 2015. Their global audience online has jumped 19% this year, while social and video have skyrocketed, as well.
Wong is in charge of keeping this run going, and improving on it.
“Jen is an executive that is both highly analytical and creative; she has a proven track record growing digital content and commerce businesses. She has succeeded in complex organizations and achieved success at each company where she has worked,” Chairman and CEO Joe Ripp said in a statement.
Hearst Having Record-Breaking Success, but How?
Speaking of high-powered digital execs, MinOnline interviewed Hearst Magazines Digital Media President Troy Young, Wong’s counterpart at another legacy building steam online.
“A little more than 35% of our traffic comes from social and Facebook has the majority percentage of that number. … We have seen significant growth from all readers, including Millennials. Our content strategy for Cosmo, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire has helped those brands find a younger audience. We are also focused on distribution channels like Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook, that reach more a more Millennial audience,” Young tells Caysey Welton.
“A great example of how traffic impacts other areas of our business is that we have seen a 100% increase in newsletter subscribers since last November. … We will top these numbers next year by continuing to invest in new verticals and new types content, by focusing on original features and reporting, by tailoring our editorial efforts to specific platforms and traffic drivers and through continued sharing of content across the brands.”
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To read more about digital magazine editions in the news, visit MinOnline.
