Staid Ladies’ Home Journal tries to reinvent itself

October 30, 2002 – Facing competition from new women’s magazines like Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living and O: The Oprah Magazine, old school title Ladies’ Home Journal is working on plans to stay competitive.

The magazine hired Lynn Lehmkuhl as publisher. The move comes on the heels of the hire of Diane Salvatore as editor-in-chief. Salvatore was former editor at YM.

The magazine faces the challenge of staying relevant in a market niche that has changed rapidly and taken on a younger and hipper look. Writers should watch how the magazine changes and query accordingly.

Oxford American comes back from the brink

October 28, 2002 – The Oxford American, a beloved literary journal from Mississippi, will live to see another day. Click here for more.

Well, that was fast

October 28, 2002 – After just three months on the job, Tracy Woods, Ms magazine’s celebrated new editor-in-chief, is stepping down.

Woods, a veteran investigative journalist, was hired to take the magazine back to its hard-hitting journalistic roots. While she is no longer top editor, she will stay on to guide the magazine’s investigative work.

Hearst and J.D. Power team up for new auto mag

October 22, 2002 – Undaunted by the slow economy, Hearst and consumer products adviser J.D. Power and Associates plan to roll out a joint magazine venture.

The J.D. Power Car Guide will rate the best cars and trucks and offer advice on buying new automobiles. The magazine will be published in March and November and will be sent to high-end subscribers of Hearst’s Popular Mechanic, SmartMoney and Esquire.

Popular Mechanics Editor-in-Chief Joe Oldham will serve as editor of the car magazine. Writers interested in the world of automobiles should look for the magazine’s debut.

Sun to set on Rosie

October 22, 2002 – After a long-ranging dispute between Rosie O’Donnell and publisher Gruner + Jahr, the company said it will shutter the woman’s magazine.

About 120 staffers will lose their jobs. G + J had suggested it might create a new title but that idea has died. The final issue will hit the newsstands in November.

New crop of magazines set to break ground

October 22, 2002 – In spite of stubborn economic malaise, a new group of magazines are bucking the conventional wisdom and preparing to launch, reports media watcher Media Life. Click here for more.

Guy magazine market grows even more crowded

October 22, 2002 – FHM, Stuff and Maxim are already there and now here comes U.K. import Loaded.

Time Inc., owner of the British “lad” magazine, is said to be considering a U.S. version of the magazine to compete in the successful market.

As this segment of the market gets ever more crowded, writers should take to place their bets on the magazines that have staying power.

Sports Illustrated Women closing its doors

October 22, 2002 – Faced with dropping revenues, Time Inc. shut down Sports Illustrated Women.

The December issue will be the magazine’s last.

Where’s Woman?

October 22, 2002 – Canada’s Woman Magazine was supposed to relaunch this fall after publication was suspended last year but it appears the magazine is on an extended hiatus.

The magazine was supposed to re-emerge last month but it has stayed underground as it tries to restructure. Writers should look for new markets while the fate of this magazine is decided.

Here’s The Deal

October 22, 2002 – The Deal LLC, a media company, has plans to launch an eponymous weekly magazine.

The Deal, which will debut next month, will cover the deal making sector of the economy and will include coverage of private capital investments, public financing, corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions.

Writers with a nose for this kind of news should watch for the magazine’s debut.

New construction magazines in the works

October 22, 2002 – Hanley-Wood, a media company serving the construction industry, plans to debut two new titles this fall.

Replacement Contractor will serve specialty contracting firms involved in roofing, siding, decking and window replacement projects. El Nuevo Constructor will be the first Spanish language magazine targeting Latinos working in the residential construction industry.

If you’re handy with a framing hammer and words, watch for the magazine’s debut for possible writing opportunities.

A ray of hope? September magazine ad pages up

October 16, 2002 – It’s been tough going for magazines lately but last month offers a bit of good news.

According to industry watcher Media Life, September advertising pages crept up 2.6 %. Ad revenue was up just over 9 % in September.

Year to date, ad revenue is still down from last year’s level but September’s performance is cause for optimism. As the magazine industry’s fortunes rise, so too do writers’.

Red Herring sold to magazine insiders

October 15, 2002 – In another move to stay afloat, Red Herring announced plans to sell itself to a company formed by the majority of its partners. The move was an effort to extricate itself from expensive office space leases.

Facing a slump in ad sales, the magazine cut its staff by 35 percent in August. Freelancers wanting to break into the magazine may want to focus their energies elsewhere while the title tries to get back on its feet.

Meet Southern Woman

October 15, 2002 – New Orleans-based Southern Woman plans to debut later this month with a lifestyle magazine that celebrates the life of the southern belle. Click here for more.

Going where no woman has gone before, Sports Afield

October 15, 2002 – After hanging in limbo following suspension of publishing in June, Sports Afield plans to rise again with a new look and first-ever female editor.

Diana Kupp, former editor of Wildfowl and Gun Dog Magazine, will lead the magazine. She plans to bring in new writers and offer more illustrations, smaller photographs and a new typeface. But the magazine will still target “the person who is out there in the field.”

Writers interested in this genre should keep the magazine in their sights.

Finally! Another guy mag about babes, beer and consumer products

October 15, 2002 – Ramp is the latest magazine to join the crowded “lad magazine” market.

Editor-in-Chief Carmine Belluci says the magazine is for the two million readers who have grown out of the current crop of men’s magazines. The magazine will include sections on fashion, health, general interest, sports, true crime, women, cars, adventure and celebrities.

Whether readers—and advertisers--come calling remains to be seen. Writers should watch the new magazine to see how it fares.

IT world to get its own magazine

October 15, 2002 – ITconsultant Magazine, a title aimed at information technology professionals, plans to debut next year.

The magazine claims to be the only magazine that targets this sector of the tech economy. Interested writers should look for the magazine’s debut or go to its Web site at www.ITconsultMag.com.

U.S. Banker gets a new look

October 15, 2002 – U.S. Banker, a 112-year-old magazine, plans to relaunch this month with a focus on changes in the industry.

Under the tagline “Beyond Business as Usual,” the magazine will strive to cover the convergence of financial sectors, industry consolidation, globalization, deregulation and technological innovation.
Writers interested in this market should study the magazine to understand its new focus.

Upside goes down for good

October 8, 2002 – In one of several recently announced magazine closures, Upside plans to shut its doors.

The magazine had been one of the longest running publications covering the now limping tech economy.

Sign of the times: Mutual Funds folds

October 8, 2002 – With ad revenue in a freefall, Mutual Funds has decided to call it quits.

The magazine published 26 percent fewer ad pages in 2001 compared to 2000. Compared to last year, advertising has fallen 25 percent this year.

The November issue will be the magazine’s last.

As the tech economy goes, so too does Forbes ASAP

October 8, 2002 – In one of several signs of the bursting economic bubble, Forbes ASAP will close.

The 10-year-old magazine was created to cover the now tattered digital economy.

The bloom is off Rosie

October 2, 2002 – Gruner+Jahr USA has filled a whopping $300 million suit against Rosie O’Donnell.

In the suit, the publisher cites breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, interfering with publication of Rosie and publicly disparaging the publisher and the magazine. O’Donnell plans to counter-sue.

The suit comes on the heels of O’Donnell’s announcement that she plans to leave Rosie magazine, a G+J magazine.

It should be obvious, but writers should keep their distance from .

New mag targets male rich niche

October 2, 2002 – Canadian entrepreneur Bassam Al-Sarraj is planning the launch of Rich Guy magazine.

As the title suggests, the glossy quarterly magazine is aimed at the super-affluent males.

Writers should look for the magazine as a possible new market.

HRO Today debuts first issue

October 2, 2002 – HRO Today, short for Human Resources Outsourcing, launched this week with what is billed as the only print publication for the outsourcing industry.

The magazine aims to appeal to corporate leaders with best strategies, buyer case studies and outsourcing experiences of real life businesses. The magazine’s tag line is “where business leaders make HR decisions.”

If you know this niche market, consider pitching the magazine a story.

Baby Talk Managing Editor Sara Bethell has left. Sally Tusa, former articles editor, is now managing editor. (October 30)

The State Managing Editor John Drescher leaves the magazine. (October 30)

America West Airline Magazine has hired Ellen Alperstein as editor. Michael Derr leaves his post as editor. (October 30)

Gear has made several new changes. Mike Guy is now associate editor and Chris Lee, former associate editor, is now senior editor. (October 30)

ESPN The Magazine says goodbye to Terry Egan, senior editor. (October 30)

Maxim has promoted former Senior Editor Rosie Amodio to features editor. (October 30)

GQ Magazine has made several editorial changes. Linnea Olson, associate fashion editor; and Bob Yeager, fashion editor, leave the publication. Coming aboard is Bozehena Orekhova, accessories editor. (October 30)

Men’s Journal has hired Mark Horowitz as executive editor and Claire Martin as senior editor. Horowitz was formerly Articles Editor at New York Magazine. (October 30)

Super Chevy Assistant Editor Jason Walker has left the magazine. (October 28)

Child Assistant Editor Anna Attkinson has left the magazine. (October 23)

Street Rodder has named Jason Walker associate editor. (October 23)

Spirit Led Woman Assistant Editor Leigh DeVore has left. Donna Renzentti replaces her. (October 28)

In Style has named former Senior Beauty Editor Amy Synott beauty news director. (October 28)

Aurelian Communications Corp. has acquired Horticulture magazine for $24 million. (October 23)

Seventeen has made several changes. Leaving the magazine are Cayli Cavaco, assessories editor; Deborha McHugh, executive managing editor; and Alison Weintraub, associate editor. Coming aboard are Nicole Fasolino, associate editor, fashion; and Katie Meyer, market editor. Former Senior Editor Darcy Jacobs is now features editor. Margaret Magnarelli, former assistant editor, is now associate editor, features. (October 28)

COSMOgirl has named Carolyn Noyes managing editor. Former Assistant Fashion Editor Lauren Greene is now associate features editor. (October 28)

Chicago has named former Contributing Editor Marcia Froelke Coburn senior editor. (October 28)

Homestyles Media has purchased Home & Design magazine. (October 28)

Essence has promoted Cori Murray, former associate editor, health, to entertainment editor. (October 23)

Working Mother Articles Editor Sharman Stein has left the magazine. (October 22)

Cooking Light has named Alison Ashton senior fitness editor and Rachel Seligman assistant editor. (October 22)

Auto Interiors has shut its doors. The magazine’s parent company is planning to launch an e-newsletter and possibly a scaled-back print version. (October 16)

Boston Magazine has named former

Maxim Senior Editor Albert Baime executive editor. (October 15)

Washington Techway Magazine plans to close. (October 15)

Inc Finance Editor Jill Andresky Fraser and Senior Editor Susan Hansen have left the magazine. Michael Hoffman, former senior staff writer, is now senior editor. Joseph Rosenbloom, former senior editor, is now a contributor. (October 15)

EnCompass has named Jeff Miller editor following Kelly Eastlund’s departure. (October 15)

Network Magazine Associate Feature Editor Ellen Terry has left the magazine. (October 15)

Maxim has promoted Alex Straus from associate editor to senior associate editor. He replaces Albert Baime, who left the magazine. (October 15)

Better Homes and Gardens has hired Stephen George as features and family matters editor. (October 15)

Self Associate Editor Molly Lyons has left the magazine for a new position at Lifetime magazine. (October 15)

Entertainment Weekly has named former Fortune Senior Editor Henry Goldblatt assistant managing editor. (October 15)

Woman’s Day Associate Editor Lisa Miller has left the magazine. (October 15)

dwell Editor-in-Chief Karrie Jacobs has left the magazine. Allison Arieff, formerly senior editor, takes over. (October 15)

Cooking Light has hired Alison Ashton as senior fitness editor and Rachel Seligman as assistant editor. (October 15).

Atlanta Magazine Editor-in-Chief Lee Walburn has left. Rebecca Poyner Burns replaces him. (October 15)

Golf is saying goodbye to longtime Editor George Pepper and hello to replacement Jim Frank. (October 9)

Field and Stream has named former Men’s Journal Editor Sid Evans as its new editor. (October 8).

Harvard Business Review has named Thomas A. Stewart editorial director. He replaces Suzy Wetlaufer. (October 8)

PREVENTION Assistant Fitness Editor Sara Robertson has left the magazine. Denise Foley, former senior staff editor, features, is now deputy editor. (October 2)

In Style has hired Sydne Bolden as style editor. Erin Sumwalt, formerly retail editor, is now associate accessories editor. (October 2)