"Mr. Magazine" to launch Magazine Innovation Center

A new research institute called the Magazine Innovation Center is being launched by Professor Samir Husni. He will be relinquishing his role as chair of the journalism department at the University of Mississippi as of August 15. Husni, who has been dubbed "Mr Magazine", is an acknowledged expert on magazines.I have decided to devote the remaining years of my professional career to study the

Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition cross-promoted with airplane wrap

Annals of magazine promotion: A U.S. airline has caused attention to be paid by wrapping one of its 737 planes in a vinyl reproduction of this year's Sports Illustrated magazine cover model. It certainly seems to be one of those examples where the more criticism it attracts, the better the promotional value -- for the airline and for the magazine.Commenters on the airline's blog have noted that

RDA's new U.S. magazines don't pay Canadian freelancers for re-using articles

Reader's Digest Association CEO Mary Berner won't disclose how much RDA is spending on its magazine launches Fresh Home and Best You. But, according to the New York Post, Berner told Media Ink the cost is "far below the cost of a traditional magazine launch".A friend tells us, however, that one of the ways costs have been kept down is that RDA is not paying second rights to the Canadian (and

Spacing branches out into web broadcasting

Spacing magazine has now launched Spacing Radio, a periodic web podcast on subjects related to the magazine's urban affairs focus (public transit, sustainability, architecture, and urban design.) The first broadcast is an interview with former London (Eng.) mayor Ken Livingstone. He was the one who ushered in the toll for driving into the congested heart of London.Spacing Radio is being hosted by

Better Homes & Gardens branded products come to Canadian Walmarts

After a successful rollout of Better Homes & Gardens-branded home and garden products in U.S. Walmart stores, Meredith Corporation has announced that it is doing the same deal with Walmart Canada Corp. and its 200 stores in Canada. The items will include bedding and bath accessories, dinnerware and kitchen textiles.The Canadian expansion marks the first time Better Homes and Gardens licensed

Magazines Canada wants targetted program for small arts & literary mags

Magazines Canada has told its members it is intent on negotiating revisions with the Department of Canadian Heritage to the announced provisions of the new Canada Periodical Fund. There are three areas of concern where it intends to press for changes:Arts and literary publications with <5,000>The cap on large magazine contributions should be "rethought" and even if it stays lowered to $1.5

U.S. monthlies' magazine ads decline 21.6% in Q1

Magazine ad pages in many U.S. monthly magazines were down by 21.6% in the first quarter of 2009, according to a compilation by MIN Online (as reported in MediaDaily News). Year-over-year declines for monthly magazines have been accelerating, with pages down 17% in January, 19.3% in February and 26% in March.Related stories:Magazines see some bright spots for second quarter (AdAge)