Publishing

Publishing

• Leadership at major publishing houses continue to bicker over whether to charge for digital editions.  If your content has value, it should be paid for.  Allowing free access to digital editions for smart phones and tablets undermines the basic economic model for publishing.
• 200 new magazines were launched in the first nine months of 2011 (up from 176 in 2010). 128 magazines folded over the same time frame (the same as in 2010).  Food and regional titles were the top two categories; Bridal magazines topped the list for closures.
• Of the launches, 56 were B2B magazines, with the largest growth in business and industry.  There were 34 closures, with Nursing titles showing the largest decline.
• A media survey conducted by Deloitte and released by United Business Media shows that since 2007, 80% of Americans preferred reading print magazines, even though the same information was available on-line.  They also identify print advertising as far more compelling and useful than its digital equivalent.
• Print advertising revenue is up 2.1% for the first nine months of 2011, according to the Publisher’s Information Bureau.