Paste Magazine launched a campaign urging readers to save the magazine with donations. The recession has tightened advertiser budgets and they need help to bridge the gap. 75+ artists have donated rare and exclusive tracks to support the campaign.
I don’t know the owners of Paste. Don’t know how well they operate their business or if they are fiscally responsible. While I’m not a subscriber currently, I once was and I do appreciate Paste. Unfortunately newspapers and magazines are distressed (including Playboy) and those in the worst trouble are niche publications. Here’s a short list of magazines that have closed in the past year:
Portfolio
Blender
Best Life
Travel & Leisure Golf
Hallmark Magazine
Domino
Teen
Wondertime
Plenty
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Country Home
Atlanta Peach
Green Guide
PC Magazine
SI Latino
Cottage Living
Play
O at Home
Men’s Vogue
Radar
CosmoGirl
Home
Playgirl
Quick & Simple
Golf for Women
Future Snowboarding Magazine
Games for Windows
Luxury Spa Finder
I mentioned Playboy. Porn and music are similar when it comes to publishing. For most music and porn enthusiasts, I feel that the editorial content is secondary and the real juice is in the audio, video and immediate gratification that online publishing provides (for free). I don’t pay for a subscription to music magazines because I don’t trust the commentary. I may respect the author’s opinion, but I’d prefer to click a play button and find out for myself. I’d expect the same from anyone that reads my drivel.
Anyone have an opinion? Are you planning to donate?
PS – Be on the lookout for the Save HearYa Campaign. We don’t make any money either, but we like it. It buys us beers and stuff.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I know the expense of publishing print and the eco damages it costs to tear down trees. The Internet has done it’s part in saving the forest, however it is definetly a restructure in employment as well.
I feel bad for some of these publications as some have been long time favorites for many people and as a publisher for online media I know you have to simply enjoy doing what you do because unlike the old days of print there is really is no money to made here. So for those that appreciate the time and effort that is put into online media your donations are very well regarded.
Independent Music Forum
I sort of agree, although I think there’s still a large population of music fans who either don’t want to or don’t have time to spend all day on online music mags/blogs, so they rely on publications like Paste to keep themselves up to speed. And there are definitely worse publications that they could rely on instead – at least Paste focuses on good, independent artists.
Donations are very short term fix and will never sustain their print operations enough to keep the print side going. Hopefully, they will put these donations to building a sustainable online model (if there is such a thing).
Times are changing for sure. I would much prefer to hear or see a clip as to read a review and then get online to find the bands MySpace page to hear them. I really don’t know what the solution is, just that’s it’s not in hardcopy.
i’m sad for the day that print is replaced by electronic means. i like my technology but i’ll donate. it’s like album liner notes… i have a hard time buying an album on iTunes because i want the paper. i like the smell of a new magazine or book. hmmm. yes i’ll donate. to both.
why cant rolling stone go away. that would make my day
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