The Magazine Industry

THE MAGAZINE INDUSTRYThe Contemporary Magazine

What is a magazine?

Magazine comes from the Arabic word makhazin, meaning warehouse or storehouse

It’s a storehouse for information

How are magazines different from newspapers?

How are magazines different from newspapers? More in-depth Specialized content/audience – they

target a particular niche They offer advertisers a very specific

audience

How are magazines different from newspapers? Less frequent – weekly, monthly or

quarterly rather than daily More permanent and durable than a

newspaper

Types of Magazine

Consumer Trade Organization

Consumer magazines Sold on newsstand or by subscription

– usually inexpensive Most contain advertising General interest/special interest --

While early magazines were general interest, most are now special interest

Consumer magazines Examples:

Trade magazines Aka specialized business magazines,

business-to-business magazines A few sold on newsstand but most

sold through subscription, which can be quite expensive

Trade Magazines

Organization magazines Society/association Public relations Custom

Organization magazines

Largest magazines by circulation

Source: Magazine Publishers of America

Popularity of magazines

Popularity of magazines

Popularity of magazines

Popularity of magazines

Engagement

Problems facing industry Declining readership

Problems facing industry Declining readership

Problems facing industry Declining ad revenue

Problems facing industry Declining ad revenue

Problems facing the industry Fragmentation of devices