It’s like the line from that old joke … “what’s black and white and read all over?” Only instead of newspapers, we’re talking about glossies. Several title launches have been announced that feature both the brand new and a reimaging of fan favorites.
The brand new …
Ayesha Curry, chef, restaurateur, author and wife of Golden State Warriors Steph Curry, is launching a lifestyle magazine.
“As a woman of color, it’s important to me that media reflects real, relatable women, and I’m excited to create an outlet for young men and women that celebrates diversity and inclusivity,” explains Curry in an interview with the Mercury News.
The quarterly publication will hit newsstands this spring and retails for $9.99, offering a glimpse into the Curry family’s lifestyle and touching on topics of family, friendship, food, community and home.
The new new …
While Rachel Ray’s first magazine Rachel Ray Every Day still falls under “new” by most yardsticks, Meredith has announced a fresh redesign and a new name, Rachel Ray In Season.
“This new format delivers richer, more seasonal, more of-the-moment content that’s personal in every way,” explains Ray in Meredith press release. “It’s designed to be more of a keepsake and a collector’s item. To enhance the actionable ideas we provide, I’ve invited my inner circle to contribute to the magazine, like caterer to the stars Mary Giuliani, my dear friends and super-dads David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris, and my most trusted advisor on wine Rita Jammet.”
Editor-in-chief Lauren Iannotti explains, “Our readers told us they’re not looking to try 100 new recipes every month. In Rachael Ray In Season, we’re boiling it down to the true must-makes, and giving our readers an experience they’ll want to stretch out and spend time with, rather than race through. We’ll have even more Rachael throughout the magazine, and a fresh, immersive feel.”
The new old …
Just in time for the Superbowl, Maven Media Brands has launched “a newly reimagined Sports Illustrated print magazine experience, featuring expanded feature storytelling, dynamic photojournalism and enhanced digital extensions,” according to The Street.
The February issue of the iconic magazine will feature a larger design, perfect binding and a heavier stock, all more in keeping with the trend toward viewing print as a collectible luxury.
… and the old new
Finally, we see Architectural Digest celebrating 100 years in print.
“AD, I describe it as ‘it was a sleeping beauty,’” said editor-in-chief Amy Astley in an interview with Ad Age’s Brian Braiker. “Obviously, it’s a legacy brand, incredible 100-year heritage and it’s meaningful to a lot of people. When I started three and a half years ago, I felt the notion was stuffy, elegant, rich, rich people.”
Since taking on her latest role at Condé Nast (where she’s worked for 25+ years, Astley has brought the magazine into the modern age, building a digital brand that had little presence when she started, and enlightening the content for a broader appeal.
“The trick for me is how to keep the feeling of prestige and authority and access that really signal AD, but bring it into the modern age,” she said.
Clearly, these publishers understand the modern appeal of print – the luxurious tangible experience, the long-form content that appeals to the right readers, and at the same time the importance of other channels for discovery.
Whether your title is new, old, or somewhere in between, there is clearly something for everyone in this golden age for magazines.