As MySpace Looks At Offering Magazines, Teen Magazines Ditch Paper For Online

from the perhaps-the-timing-isn't-so-good dept

Remember just a few days ago when there was all that buzz about the possibility of MySpace starting a paper magazine for their users? It definitely seemed like “old media” thinking. However, even those who are in the “old media” business of magazine publishing seem to think it’s a bad idea to offer teens a magazine these days. Less than a decade ago, every publishing house was coming out with “teen” versions of their popular magazines. It worked well for a few years, but now many of them are shutting down their paper versions to focus just on websites. Both Elle Girl and Teen People have realized that teenagers don’t really read paper magazines any more, preferring instead to get their teen culture news online. So, while MySpace hasn’t officially made the call on their magazine plans, it seems like a little bit of quick market research in the publishing world would suggest that going the dead tree route isn’t the best idea.


Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “As MySpace Looks At Offering Magazines, Teen Magazines Ditch Paper For Online”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
10 Comments
fsckr (user link) says:

bad myspace!

The boffins at myspace should realize that while it may make money in the short term due to its novelty, a myspace magazine will eventually fail because:

1) its audience is used to a more dynamic medium

2) there’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ myspace user (as untrue as that might seem)

Conversely, I consider myself a New York Times reader yet I’ve never (ever) bought a paper copy of their newspaper (maybe, I’ve fished one out of the recycling once). The same can be said of many people and I applaud what Teen People et al are doing.

bad myspace! the world is going digital, and you should know better than to go analog, no matter how cool you think it may be.

fsckr – fsckr.com

TriZz says:

Re: MySpace Is A FAD!

The myspace fad has stuck for over two years now…that’s a fairly good fad in today’s “online world”.

…despite the shitty design of the site, it’s the only place that give people full customization (I say that with a grain of salt). It allows people watching in still time, and it’s worked.

A magazine though? I’m not so worried about paper media as I am about the content. There’s such a huge marget that there’s no way they could concentrate the material to appeal to the masses.

Anonymous Coward says:

Its an extension of the paperless office paradigm. I was there:

“We’re going paperless!” my boss at the time yelped with glee. That was in 1995. Going a bit further on with the process various departments would cry out that they couldn’t get anything done for other departments without a 1067-C form. 5, 6 years go by and the office wasn’t paperless. Since then I have worked for smaller companies. The one I work for now in fact. Before I came on board employees came in whenever they wanted, so after hiring me I he asked me if I could install a timeclock software package he was looking at. Paperless (well, cardless).

It doesn’t happen when product/service producers declare “Now is the time!”

It happens slowly, organically, when consumers get used to the idea and people realize it makes sense for them.

Jessica "Mz Shorty P" Abraham (user link) says:

Online Shopping Retailers are also Using MySpace

Hey, was just adding to this blog post and letting those fashionistas on a budget know about BeverlyLane.com. Beverly Lane has some of the hottest fashions around for under $25!!! Many of these styles are worn by some of the hottest celebrities, such as Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Beverly Lane allows women to be sexy without appearing too provocative by embracing every woman’s femininity. Beverly Lane reminds you that every girl is a Beverly Girl! Check out our latest releases at http://www.beverlylane.com

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...