Hearst Magazines today announced the launch of Premium Print, a strategic initiative that includes a multimillion-dollar investment across its portfolio of more than 25 brands to further strengthen its position in the marketplace and enhance the quality of its print products. The announcement was made by Hearst Magazines Acting President Debi Chirichella and Hearst Magazines Chief Content Officer Kate Lewis.
“Our magazines are at the heart of our brands and our business, the foundation of our editorial mission and vision,” Chirichella said. “For the benefit of our audiences and our marketing partners, we’re focused on producing the highest quality print products and providing an outstanding content experience that is engaging on every level.”
The additional investment will improve the product of several Hearst Magazines print properties through new, larger formats, higher-quality paper and improved editorial ratios.
Immediate plans, which build on the enhanced paper quality introduced in Good Housekeeping and House Beautiful earlier this year, include adding up to 10% more editorial pages in Good Housekeeping and additional edit pages and larger trim size to the print editions of Harper’s BAZAAR, ELLE and Road & Track, effective with the brands’ 2021 issues. The company will also launch a new quarterly publication from Delish next year. Additional product improvements across the portfolio will be made in 2021, as the economy is expected to strengthen.
“Magazines are a tactile experience, and quality production is important to our readers, our creators and the marketplace. There’s no substitute for a beautiful full-page image, whether it’s a fabulous kitchen, an interesting celebrity, a craft project or the season’s accessory,” Lewis said. “Millions of readers turn to our print magazines to learn, to take action, to escape and to expand their worlds. Combined with rigorous storytelling we do on all digital platforms, we provide a 360 content experience for our audience.”
The investment follows the launch of Hearst Magazines’ new membership and metered paywall program recently introduced at Bicycling, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Men’s Health, Popular Mechanics, Road & Track, Runner’s World and Women’s Health. Designed to offer exceptional value for the consumer while generating revenue through the sale of branded products, affiliate commerce and events, the membership programs pair the prestige of print with the immediacy and velocity of digital content, along with other exclusive offerings.
“We are experimenting and making great strides by activating our digital channels to sell products, including print and digital subscriptions,” Chirichella said. “Our strategy to invest in digital growth while maintaining the strength, differentiation and high quality of our print products, along with this new investment, paves the path to our future.”
https://www.hearst.com/-/hearst-magazines-announces-strategic-investment-across-print-portfolio