Digital publishing news for February 24, 2014
Folio is reporting that the National Journal has opened access to its digital library. Caysey Welton writes, “National Journal rolled out a new database for its members featuring thousands of policy-related primary documents. Similar to an academic database, the Document Library aggregates a collection of research reports, whitepapers, press releases and a host of other information that’s aimed at helping members do their jobs better.” Non-members also have limited access to the archive. The National Journal plans on testing native advertising in the future.
Spotify for UK Magazines
There is a new service that wants to be the Spotify for UK magazines. Ellen Hammett from Newsline writes, “Swedish company Readly has announced plans to launch a Spotify-style product for UK magazines next month, offering consumers a range of digital magazines for a low subscription fee. Backed by the Professional Publishers Association (PPA), the move into the UK follows a successful launch in Sweden in 2012. ‘The New Way to Read’ app offers an all-you-can-read magazine service for £9.99 a month, set to roll out globally through the rest of the year.” Is this Europe’s answer to Next Issue?
Time Partners with MLB & NHL
Time Inc. is partnering with Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League on a new 24 hour sports network. Michael Rondon writes for Folio, “The 24-hour network, 120 Sports, will offer quick-hit highlights and other sports programming on multiple platforms, but live games won’t show up in the stream (nor are there any immediate plans to change that). It’s free, with a separate paid product on the way later this year.” It’s clear that this will integrate with Time’s Sports Illustrated brand. Rondon adds, “While lots of sports media outlets have lucrative content-sharing partnerships with sports leagues, the equity structure and sales roles put SI into a direct financial relationship with the MLB and NHL—subjects of coverage. Instead of purchasing rights from the leagues, they’ll be selling advertising on their behalf.”
Zinczenko to Overhaul Muscle & Fitness
minOnline is reporting that David Zinczenko is in charge of revamping Muscle & Fitness. Steve Cohn writes, “Working with M&F editor-in-chief Shawn Perine and just-hired art director Marne Mayer (ex-ESPN: The Magazine and The Wall Street Journal), Zinczenko will introduce the “new” M&F with the mid-March release of the April 2014 issue. He promises a front-of-the-book with product reviews, health, science and technology news, and greater emphasis on “athletes from a wide range of sports.” That makes sense because weight-training is used far more in the 21st century than during the 20th, when it was discouraged because of concerns of becoming muscle-bound.” Side note: Arnold Schwarzenegger recently joined Muscle & Fitness as a consultant.
GQ is Thinking Retail
Women’s Wear Daily has a report on GQ’s latest revenue stream outside of publishing. Alexandra Steigrad writes, “GQ and Northern Grade will open a pop-up marketplace in the Power House Arena in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood on March 22 and 23.” GQ hopes to get advertisers to sponsor these pop up stores and events. If this test is successful, you should expect to see many more GQ retail partnerships.
