Magazines galore

Most of the major magazine companies are collaborating to create an online newsstand, according to a published report. Now if we all just had time to peruse that newsstand. That's what was so great about the brands that had been created already --we knew what brands we wanted before we knew exactly what we wanted from them.
It's great that they will all be on a digital platform so that an individuated search function can find stories of sympatico across the brands. Will they charge by the story? Not sure.
Here's what the New York Observer story said:
"The formation of a new company to run the online newsstand -- sometimes characterized as an 'iTunes for magazines' -- may be announced in early December. Time, Conde Nast, Hearst, and Meredith all intend to be equity partners in the new company, although the deals have not yet been signed.
"In the face of slumping print circulation for many magazines, the publishing houses are eager to exert some control over digital readership, said people at the companies, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the plans.
"In other media sectors, rivals have already formed joint ventures for the Web. Several television networks are stakeholders in Hulu, an online television and film Web site. Some music labels are partners in Vevo, a music video site powered by YouTube that will make its debut next month.
"The new magazine company would, in theory, make it easy to buy print and electronic copies of magazines like The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Esquire, and Better Homes and Gardens from a single Web site. While mostly leaving the hardware to others, the alliance of competing publishers would develop software standards for magazine viewing on iPhones, BlackBerrys, e-book readers and other platforms, people familiar with the plans said.
"The New York Observer reported Tuesday that the Time Inc. executive John Squires would become the new outfit's interim chief executive while the partners look for a permanent head. In June, the Time Inc. chairmwoman Ann Moore gave Mr. Squires the responsibility of creating a digital road map for the company.
" 'It's increasingly clear that finding the right digital business model is crucial for the future of our business,' Ms. Moore said in a memorandum at the time. She added, 'We need to develop a strategy for the portable digital world and to refine our views on paid content.' "

Individuated in India

The individuated newspaper that has debuted in Vienna, Austria, will be reported out at the WAN-IFRA conference next week in India, according to a press release from the global association: "Wanja Oberhof, co-founder of NIUU, which combines paper format with internet convenience, has joined the programme of the World Editors Forum, and will speak in a session devoted to some of the most promising business models being developed today." You can sign up to attend

Yes, boy meets grill

Jeff Kline is the president of a software company, Accrisoft, who understands where media is headed before it gets there. His most recent blog underscores the reality of individuated news. Under the title "Boy Meets Grill" he explains how social media helped him chose a key retail purchase, not traditional media or advertising. Read it all