Considering the Collapse of VIBE Magazine

I meant to get a more in-depth post up earlier about VIBE mag's sudden closing but I don't have a major analysis to share. Basically I think the closing is the result of a combination of the obvious challenges, the collapse of advertising during an exceptionally severe recession, and the often extreme demands of certain forms of private equity imposed by the Wicks Group acquisition.

A discussion that broke out on Jeff Chang's blog, in which a number of interesting participants in the magazine/marketing game got involved, is worth considering though it doesn't really shed much light on the VIBE situation. However, it does provide a nice peek at how cutting edge music and/or lifestyle publications are attempting to transition from dying business models. In particular, this transition raises issue regarding the advertising/editorial divide that is currently looking like a drawback to survival, in part because most humans don't really care about such issues.

I found out about this post via a discussion at Hip Hop Ads that also doesn't shed much light on VIBE but does indicate what some folks more focused on online ventures are thinking.

Though I've often criticized VIBE, I remain disappointed to see them go out like this and, whatever Quincy Jones pulls off, if anything, a new web version will ultimately be something different that draws on the power of the VIBE brand.

Financial Terminology Note: the discussants at Jeff's blog throw the term "venture capital" around quite a bit.  Though that is a form of "private equity", venture capital was not involved in the acquisition. Check out this article on private equity for more insight on such terminology.

At EbonyJet.com:
Bringing Back the VIBE: Can Quincy Jones Make a Go Online?

At Photo District News:
Photographer Learned About VIBE Shutdown in Mid-Shoot

At Adam's World:
Saving The Magazine Industry