|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
twitter/prohiphop subscribe: feedblitz |
Headlines to Your Site or Blog: Widgetbox ProHipHop Network |
Hip-Hop News Plus Tupac Shakur Info |
The Vibe Lifestyle Network has officially announced Jermaine Hall as the new Editor-in-Chief of VIBE Magazine & Vibe.com which will now move forward under unified editorial control:
A veteran publishing and on-line executive with extensive experience in pop culture, music and fashion, Hall returns to Vibe after serving most recently as Editor-in-Chief of King Magazine...Prior to that, Hall served as Music Editor at The Source...
Hall started his publishing career at Vibe Magazine, where he served as Webmaster from 1997 – 1999, developing original online content that complemented the magazine's editorial direction in addition to writing exclusive articles for print and on-line...
Hall will immediately step in as Editor-in-Chief and be involved in decision making for all editorial aspects of the magazine and digital properties including the highly anticipated November/December Holiday issue under new management as well as Vibe.com immediate re-launch.
Related ProHipHop Coverage:
VIBE & Vibe.com Sold: InterMedia Partners Build on Soul Train & Uptown Magazine Investments
Danyel Smith Talks VIBE w/Angela Yee
Considering the Collapse of VIBE Magazine
Private Equity firm InterMedia Partners has officially announced the 'purchase of the assets of Vibe and Vibe.com" in "partnership with its portfolio company Uptown Media Group along with Blackrock Digital".
InterMedia Partners previously backed MadVision's purchase of Soul Train and invested in UPTOWN Magazine so entertainment media synergy is in the air.
Vibe will be relaunched by a leadership team that includes "original Vibe team members Robert Miller and Leonard Burnett; Uptown Magazine Co-Founder Brett Wright and Blackrock Digital Partners Chris Smith and Parker McNaughton".
Vibe.com will be relaunched immediately and the magazine will relaunch in November/December and will then go quarterly.
Update:
Here's a look at InterMedia Partners' portfolio of companies.
Over at Hip Hop Press:
InterMedia Partners Announces Purchase of the Assets of Vibe Media Group
Danyel Smith, with Elliott Wilson as sidekick, talks to Angela Yee a bit about the VIBE closure without revealing anything at all of substance other than that she's a great corporate hire. Perfect for fans of Danyelliott who need a positive energy fix but that's about it.
Note: Regarding Danyelliott and stepping back from the publishing scene, this is the first time I've heard them speaking together and I think they'd make a great radio team.
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
The NY Times' David Carr considers the demise of Vibe with a caveat that Quincy Jones claims to be pursuing the property in some form.
I'm still feeling surprised at the whole thing and await more business details. That this is inevitable fallout from high debt producing M&A activity crashing in the new economy seems likely but doesn't necessarily tell the whole tale.
Vibe magazine is reportedly shutting down today or, by now, is closed:
"The June/July issue will be its last and the Web site will remain open for one more month, but without new content, said the spokesperson."
I've had a love/hate relationship with Vibe but I sure hate to see it go out over the servicing of debt.
The above linked article includes the full text of the official memo to Vibe staff from Vibe Media Group CEO Steve Aaron. AllHipHop has a few comments from Danyel Smith, former Editor in Chief at Vibe.
The NY Times recently had a very interesting piece on the combined force of Vice magazine and the associated Virtue agency:
"Vice magazine has its own antonymous agency, Virtue, which serves as an advertising firm, Web site developer and branding partner. In what may rankle media traditionalists who favor a bright line between advertising and editorial, Virtue’s approach includes using editorial staff at Vice to help develop marketing plans for clients."
Key point: they're getting coverage cause their youthful tastemaker access and marketing approaches are working. But whether this is another example of the fading advertising/editorial line or is more similar to radio stations whose DJ's do ad spots is up for discussion.
Certainly the idea of successful content creators creating marketing campaigns makes a heck of a lot of sense.
In the wake of the death of King magazine, Harris Publications licks its wounds and gets XXL to attack competitor Giant in order to kills its ad base.
Wow, that's like a Microsoft move except without the backing of stacks of dollar bills like MS has tucked away. They can fail for a long time but how much failure can Harris Publications take on?
Good thing XXL's website is booming [not]!
But I bet Harris Publications' gun mags, like Combat Handguns are doing great, especially given rise in gun and ammo sales.
Hey, how 'bout Hip Hop Handguns? I bet that would strike a chord!
Initial news via Searching 4 the Perfect Beat and Folio.
At Kiss My Black Ads:
Final King Mag Covers
The print edition of Blender will end with the April issue. Blender.com will carry on for now. 30 people are out of jobs.
NY Times:
Print Version of Blender Magazine Will Cease Publication
Final Print Edition of Hip Hop Connection
Unkut.com reports that Issue #232 is the final print edition of UK-based Hip Hop Connection after 21 years.
A new digital edition kicks in on April 7th.
Good luck, guys!
The Best Life Jay-Z feature is available online and includes both biographical elements and current perspectives.
In related news, through no fault of Jay-Z's, Real Life is being deaded despite positive growth, one of many possible signs that ad-supported print publishing is failing.
Interview via Street Knowledge Media.
Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Jay-Z on April Cover of Best Life
Nat Ives at AdAge.com reports that Vibe magazine is "cutting its paid circulation 25%, reducing its frequency to 10 issues a year from 12, and merging its print and digital editorial operations" while "avoiding layoffs by adopting a four-day workweek accompanied by 10% to 15% pay cuts for its employees."
They're also "introducing a twice-a-year newsstand-only celebrity tabloid" and planning to "increase the subscription price" for the 10 issue edition of Vibe.
These are tough times and there will be more work for less pay but survival is a beautiful thing!
On that note, the beatings will continue until morale improves. End of memo.
The website of FOLIO, a publication focused on magazine industry news, has really been going strong and the bloggers seem to have settled in quite well.
Here are some recent stories relevant to ProHipHop readers that should give you a pretty clear picture of why FOLIO is a must read though, sadly, that is partially due to the fact that they're really doing an excellent job of chronicling the failure of so many magazines to weather the one-two punch of the web and the recession.
Jet/Ebony Publisher Reorganizes
How to Cleverly Spin Your Next Round of Layoffs
Johnson Publishing’s non-layoff layoff announcement.
Staffers Asked to ‘Reapply’ for Jobs Amid Reorganization at Johnson Publishing
Ebony publisher looking to ‘strategically improve operational efficiencies.'
Three Editors Accept Buyout Offers at Johnson
Ebony and Jet publisher trims older editorial staff.
The Source Fires Advertisers
The Source Gets So Fresh, So Clean
‘Bible’ of hip-hop makes risky move turning away explicit advertisers.
Where Are They Now? [from May, 2008]
Publisher to Launch Hip-Hop Business Journal
‘Billboard of Hip-Hop’ to carry 150,000 circulation.
[Note: I remain amazed at the wide range of people who think hip hop B2B is a road to riches. It is not though it does offer a different angle on celebrity news and gossip in an oversaturated market.]
Music Magazines Fold, Music Magazines Launch
A Death Metal Memo
Metal Maniacs editor gives contributors final 'eternal metal hugs.'
Publisher Mulls Future of its Music Magazines
Zenbu Media stops printing of Metal Maniacs, mulls frequency change for Relix.
Future US to Launch Upscale Music Magazine
Guitar Aficionado, with a 100,000 circulation, to launch in May.
Industry Networking
And for those who aren't totally burned out on joining social networks, FOLIO: mediaPRO might be just the spot to establish much needed professional contacts.
Rock-Critically Correct examines the latest issue of VIBE and finds it much improved over the previous issue.
Please Submit All Publicity Materials to: hiphoppress(at) netweed(dot)com |
ProHipHop: Business Hip Hop Press Business Matters Mix Sneakers & Fashion Urban Gossip/Rumors Hip Hop Blogs: World Cypher |
Recent Comments