An industry at risk

[Drunkard #1]

The real issue here is that the advertising is being included with the mag.

What really irks the large greedy corporate advertisers is that they can't control the distribution of information anymore. Once enough South Africans know what products and services are available internationally, and at what price, their local branches and agencies can't rip us off with overpriced, outdated and inferior products any more.

Information is power! Long live Mygazines.com. (and thanks for the link)

 

[ic]

The industry should move with the times, and provide their magazines online free or at a nominal charge. That way they can maintain (and undoubtedly increase) their circulation count and advertising revenue. Most of the cost of publishing a magazine is in its printing and distribution (the cover price alone does not offset these costs). They wont incur these costs at all with online distribution. They only stand to gain.

Yep, and less trees sacrificed in the process, better for the environment as well considering the chemical processes involved in producing paper for the print media...

 

[eitai2001]

Yep, and less trees sacrificed in the process, better for the environment as well considering the chemical processes involved in producing paper for the print media...

I had to sign a letter with Berco yesterday that in future all invoices arrive via e-mail, and are digital now. What really stunned me though was their stats:

Here is how we are helping in the global initiative:

• The 60 000 reams or 29.9 million sheets of paper we use annually sending postal billing will be decreased
• You are potentially saving 3,598 trees and 13.34 acres of plantation forest each year

All I can say is shu.

 

[Cadavre777]

But the industry will stuff that up too, the content system will be loaded with spyware, DRMware, adverts everywhere, limited amount of downloads and print, prevent you from copying your own media and the mags will be delayed by a week to allow for CNA to sell them.

Much like the authors free online publication which I dare not visit again. Too much clutter and ghastly ads that make your eyes want to cry/bleed.

In this day and age, it is beyond my reasoning to why publishers want to hold on to paper based mediums for distribution of news and their terrible adverts when they can reach more possible subscribers online.

I dont buy magazines and newspapers anymore, If I wanted sensationalism and poor accuracy of news I will consult my neighbourhood gossip-monger.

 

[CrazyMadMan]

Change or be changed, you hear that industry?

 

[DJ...]

Agreed with Metalcore - make older copies available for free, and current publications subscription-based.

Who would really be stupid enough to pay then? The interval between issues remains the same, and lets face it - magazine articles are hardly ever breaking news. So why would someone pay, when they could merely get it for free the following month?

EDIT: my argument is circumstantial as I will concede that there are some magazines who have breaking news. Even gossip mags I suppose so maybe this is workable.

Personally, I believe that the entire magazine industry needs a massive shape-up though - there are so many ways that they could take advantage of technology to make their content (including advertising) more accessible. They could also increase their advertising fees and do away with charging for their magazines entirely whilst simultaneously publishing their content online (using software that makes it look and feel like a magazine maybe?) - thereby increasing the subscriber base and justifying the ad price increase. But then again, getting something for free has a psychological affect on people too as we are all brand-hogs to an extent. We also have to bear in mind that whilst internet penetration is relatively high (worldwide) and their target groups are more than likely already online, very few regularly use it IMHO to its full extent. It would require a significant and costly education campaign to their audience before they can merely make the switch = but someone has to do it.

The content for many publications is already available online for a fee though - in this case I agree that they have every right to sue mygazine - that content does not belong to them at all - it still belongs to the publisher who distributes their content using any means (magazine or online). But those who havent even bothered going online should have no issue with this - it increases their reader base and costs them less as they dont have to invest capital in setting up their own systems. IMO, they should be partnering with mygazine, not suing them. mygazine could make a pretty penny out of the publishers whilst still providing a free, content-rich and legal service to consumers.

The industry as a whole really is falling behind the times though and need a slap in the face kind of wake-up. They seem to be waiting for each other to make the 1st move though which is sad...