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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.
Eric Griffey takes a look at THCK magazine for the Fort Worth Weekly:
"The magazine, now in its second year, profiles people who have turned away from a life of "hustling," which could mean drug sales, gang life, or any number of illicit lifestyles, to use those street skills instead in legitimate entrepreneurial pursuits. In the accompanying photos, the "corporate kings" are draped with models whom, in DaRobi's words, she's "pulled off the pole" of topless clubs — women who are a lot curvier than any model you'll find in a Victoria's Secret catalog."
I actually like the name but unfortunately they aren't using it consistently and that can lead to confusion among potential customers, especially when you have local imitators.
At MySpace:
THICK Magazine
KRS-One is getting his own book imprint, I Am Hip Hop, in a deal with powerHouse Books:
"The first book from the imprint is The Gospel of Hip Hop, which is set in the format of the Christian Bible, and is a 600+ page manual that combines classic philosophy, religious faith and practical knowledge for those interested in following hip hop as a life path. The book also provides a primer on the origins and development of hip hop culture."
Say what?
KRS-One's going for it with a cult bible as their first release!
He's too smart to let this opportunity slip away.
Look for The Gospel of Hip Hop in Spring 2009 and don't forget to wear your Nike's!
Official Site:
powerHouse Books
The folks at WAH, a "London-based fanzine for girls", have posted their first three issues for free download. The zine includes plenty of interesting hip hop-related coverage in the issues and on their blog.
Via M.I.S.S. Crew Blog.
Venus Zine - The Hip Hop Issue (Summer 2008)
Venus Zine's Summer 2008 issue focuses on hip hop.
The Hip Hop Issue includes 10 hip-hop artists to watch [via Blogs Is Watching].
Grab This Search Widget for Hip Hop Business Matters:
Hip Hop Business Blog News:
Corporate Takeover is back in action with a Jay-Z profile and an unnamed Canadian ally.
Yeti took a brief vacation from Wooohah! and now he's back with renewed energy and a renamed Top 40 Urban Blogs.
Keep Up With Hip Hop Business Blogs & Sites:
You can keep up with hip hop business sites at ProHipHop's Hip Hop Business Matters news page.
Subscription options include an rss/atom compabitible feed and multiple options from FeedBlitz including email, Skype, instant messaging and Twitter.
There's also a customised search engine that you can embed on your site which will include all sites linked in Hip Hop Business Matters whether or not they make an rss feed available.
I'm taking a fresh look at who should be included in Hip Hop Business Matters and updating changed domains so, if you think your site fits the description or if my info is outdated, please write me:
clyde(at)prohiphop(dot)com
For example, I'll soon be adding Blogs Is Watching, Adam's World and Crate Kings due to the fact that much of their blogging relates to hip hop business.
Baking a Bigger Pie:
I'm attempting the difficulty journey from paranoid business tactician to a focus on growing the hip hop business media pie so that my piece of the pie gets bigger with it. It's one of those ideas that can be more difficult to embody than it sounds but I think it's the right way to go.
One reason for this delayed development, beyond my unique psychological makeup, is that there are finally legitimate hip hop business news sites and blogs emerging that appear capable of staying in the game. Believe me, if you'd been tracking such sites closely for the last six years or so, a lot of wannabes have come and gone who just didn't understand the web or what it took to maintain a web publication over time.
In a few cases, quite competent folks chose to focus on other career options, most notably Hashim Warren and Michael Miraflor, though Miraflor blogs when he can and both of these guys are regular participants in the Hip Hop and Advertising discussion group. Of course, many quality hip hop bloggers have been fascinated with the business world all along, though not making it their core focus.
But we seem to have entered a new phase where folks that have a clue and a commitment are focusing on hip hop business news from various angles. So I'm going to do my best to help build this thing since I can't seem to squash them I believe that will be most beneficial for all concerned.
So let's start baking a bigger pie, y'all!
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