Magazine publishers have historically focused on developing brands, content and a strong point-of-view, that, ideally, lead to robust relationships with advertisers. The actual printing and distribution of the magazines are typically outsourced through giant publishing companies. Well since this model is seeming increasingly less viable, publishers are now building the devices to carry their content (also known as tablets or “e-readers.”) Who is the latest publisher to unveil a new gadget in hopes of saving their business model? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Skiff, brought to you by Hearst! (more...)

The "Hulu for magazines" joint venture spearheaded by John Squires officially has a name: Next Issue Media. According to Folio, the partnership has some real heavyweights behind it: Time Inc., Meredith, Hearst, Condé Nast and News Corporation. All of which represent some serious old media muscle, but will they be able to compete in the digital marketplace? (more...)

VIDEO Esquire's innovation doesn't end with December's augmented reality 3-D Robert Downey Jr. In fact, that's just the beginning, as now they've rolled out a completely digital version of January's "Meaning of Life" issue. The Hearst title is one of the first to offer a paper-less version of such quality, not through the world wide web, but with an iPhone app. For $2.99 you can buy the whole January issue in a format designed optimally for your Apple brand mobile smartphone. (more...)

There have been whispers in the publishing world for months now about a group solution to the print problem, in which all of the big dogs -- including Condé Nast, Hearst, Meredith and Time Inc. -- would come together to offer competitive marketplace solutions to widespread magazine woes. First, there was the leaked Time Inc. memos that considered a publishers partnership to compete with Amazon's Kindle, followed by an Observer piece floating even more details of the mag world Voltron. (more...)

Some of the biggest rivals in magazine publishing are close to a deal that would combine their forces in an effort to resuscitate a dying print industry. Titans of the media world -- including Condé Nast, Heart and Time Inc. -- are working to form an alliance that would recreate magazines for a digital age, in a plan that includes new mobile iterations sold in an iTunes-like store, as well as print magazines, according a report in The Observer. It's like a publisher's version of Voltron. (more...)

Today, a Bay Area website exposed an internal Time Inc. document outlining plans to start competing with Amazon's Kindle and other electronic readers before the end of the year. Buried in the piece, however, is a more stunning revelation -- Time Inc. execs appear to have discussed the new venture with rival magazine publishers, including Condé Nast, Meredith, and Hearst. Can magazine publisher save themselves with an alliance? (more...)

Ever since Rupert Murdoch announced that he was going to institute a pay-for-content policy on everything he publishes the media world has been much-a-chatter over whether Rupe publishes anything other than the Wall St. Journal that people would actually be willing to pay for. Solution? Make everyone get on board your paid content train...someone must have something that's worth shelling out for! (more...)

Keith Kelly reports today that Paris-based Lagardére is in talks with Hearst Corp. about taking over the US operations of fashion Hachette's flagship magazine Elle. He estimates the value of the influential fashion title at $200MM. Elle has recently been cited in the trades as a singular bright spot in an otherwise blighted sector - most recently getting attention for selling more ad pages than Conde Nast rival Vogue. (more...)