Meredith Corporation Launches “Happy Paws” Magazine

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April showers bring May flowers, but this April also sees the launch of a new print magazine!

It’s been no secret that many people are still naysayers of the physical magazine, but when a major publisher launches a new magazine, you know they are doing it with a lot of planning and forethought. They back winning products and this new magazine will be that also. Meredith magazines are some of the best-known home & lifestyle magazines at your store checkouts and mainlines everywhere. This newest publication “Happy Paws” will catch loads of eyes with its 100-page, high-quality first keepsake issue . Produced by Fear Free, a veterinarian-led organization, it is sure to have not only access to adorable animals, but the opportunity to publish articles that may be more fact-finding, and research driven as opposed to humanitarian short stories. As for Meredith’s decision to partner on the launch, Mortimer says that “We know that pet content is one of the best-selling categories in our Special Interest Media Group. We also know that pet coverage across our Meredith brands from People and Real Simple to Southern Living and Family Circle is extremely popular.” 1

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Magazine Media Tells and Sells

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Great new article from Linda Thomas Brooks, President and CEO, MPA – The Association of Magazine Media… The Facts: “Magazine Media Tells and Sells” that has been posted on Magazines Canada website. Click here to view.

She was also interviewed by Mr. Magazine recently. Click here to read the interview. 

Showcasing Success in Magazine Media

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The ‘Showcasing Success in Magazine Media’ event on November 6th was not  a ‘newsstand’ magazine event, with discussion about  attracting eyeballs, sales and display opportunities. This was an event where creatives talked about their craft. Here was a group of young individuals that had huge passion for magazines.  So engaging!

Click here for the recap on the Magazines Canada website. 

Magazines and Books at Retail (MBR) Conference Canada Takeaways

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…”one of the best yet!”
… “valuable shopper insights”… “

These are just a few of the comments that came out of the recent Magazine and Books at Retail (MBR) conference in Toronto on October 23. The conference packed in some powerhouse speakers who had real value to offer.

Dr. Dave Williams, astronaut, aquanaut, pilot, surgeon, CEO and author of Defying Limits: Lessons from the Edge of the Universe, was so inspiring with the message that we all want to make a difference and we just need to step up to do it. Jeff McNulty, Vice President at Presse Commerce spoke passionately about how magazines continue to take a central role at their retail stores and how they are important to consumers. Amar Sing from Kantar Retail provided some valuable insights into the Canadian retail landscape.
So many nuggets of information and value provided that we could write a book. (or at least a lengthy paper). However, we know people are busy, so here are the Industry Action Group’s Top 5:

Magazines are still very important to retail
It was great to see that magazines are still very important and relevant to retailers in Canada. This was evident in listening to Jeff McNulty of Presse Commerce and looking at the pictures of the winners of the IAG Retailer of the Year Awards. Retailers appreciate recognition of their efforts. The category responds when there is a supportive supply chain and engaged retailer. And yes, category has legs but it requires attention. We as an industry have a publicity issue. Magazines and books, must find a way to celebrate and publicize their successes.

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Relying on Small Sets of Data is Misleading. Magazines are Evolving

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In a recent article, MPA President and CEO, Linda Thomas-Brooks spoke out against what the industry just can’t let go of, this idea that magazines are dead. She mentions: “…pointing out that relying on small sets of data leads to misleading conclusions.”

Similar broad statements have been made about Bricks and Mortar retail as well, I  have read a several articles touting that “Retail is Dead”. As a retailer yourself, or someone that works with retail, you know that isn’t a true statement either. Again, it is the use of small sets of data that is used to make a point and eventually, enough is written about it that people begin to think it’s true.

The truth is, well, it’s complicated. There are certain types of magazines that have lost favor with consumers, others have gained and are growing. Similar to retail, there are some magazines that haven’t rethought their approach to how they show up in the marketplace even though the consumer has changed. Others are reinventing and therefore reinvigorating their brands.

Space at retail is changing at that also affects sales, as it affects assortment. For some consumers, when they don’t find their favorite magazine, they will go to another retailer, or buy nothing.

Magazines add value to a retailer. In recent studies conducted, shoppers have been found to have a better experience at the retailer when they bought a magazine.1. Sales of products that are found in magazines are purchased at retail. Magazines also provide a role in society beyond the sale… Linda comments:  “As audiences are thinking more critically about what voices and information they really trust, they are increasingly seeking out the professionally researched, written, edited, produced and curated content that magazine brands produce across channels.  According to the MPA’s Magazine Media 360° Brand Audience Report, the total audience for all magazines rose 1.4 per cent over last year to 1.7 billion, proving that there is enormous consumer demand for magazine media content.”

To read the full article, click here. 

  1. Magazines Canada Consumer Research – Brand Spark Shopper Insights 2017

Stronger, Better, Faster, Men’s Health Magazine’s Focus

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Mr. Magazine™ interviewed  Ronan Gardiner, VP/CRO/Publisher, and Richard Dorment, Editor In Chief, Men’s Health this past week and for a legacy brand of 30 years, they are still bringing the game.

“At 30 years of age, Men’s Health is speaking to more men across more platforms than ever before according to Ronan Gardiner, VP, Publishing Director & Chief Revenue Officer, and Richard Dorment, Editor in Chief. With 12 million readers in print, 8 million online, and 15 million across all social platforms, Men’s Health is a legacy brand that is still as vibrant and as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.”

Certainly the consumer continues to be very interested in health and that is a contributing factor to Men’s Health Magazine’s continued success, but they also continue to evolve the brand and that is exciting to new readers.

“According to Rich, fitness, and health and wellness have never been more prevalent than in today’s changing male environment, hence the new tagline which epitomizes the “new” Men’s Health, where vitality is the core of the brand.”

It’s nice to see a brand that is thriving…

“All Mr. Magazine™ can say is Men’s Health seems to be A-Okay, no stress test needed. And with its cornerstone print product thriving, digital and social growing, the brand shows no signs of slowing down as it nears its 30th anniversary. And check newsstands as the October issue of the Stronger, Faster, Better Men’s Health hits today!”

Click here to read the entire article. 

Front End Focus Study Measures Profitability

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Those of us within the Newsstand Industry have known for a long time how profitable magazines are to Retail Chains in general and especially at the checkout in relation to competitive products. The latest Front End Focus study reinforces this longstanding reality…

“The latest Front End Focus (FEF) study underscores the checkout’s crucial contribution to supermarkets – and, for the first time, measures not just sales, but profitability, for magazines and other leading front-end categories”. Click here to view some enlightening information and click here to view the entire report.