Digital publishing news for February 19, 2014
GigaOM is reporting that LinkedIn has officially launched its new publishing platform to all users today. Lauren Hockenson writes, “LinkedIn’s Publisher Platform is the user-facing component to what has become a robust media arm at LinkedIn, largely propelled by its acquisition of news-reading app Pulse, and its content often feeds into daily news aggregator LinkedIn Today. The platform, which allows users to connect and share content with others, is part of LinkedIn’s strategy to grow the frequency with which users interact on the website. The staged roll-out will provide access for roughly 25,000 users on LinkedIn, with the goal of a global roll-out within a few months.”
LinkedIn also announced that you can now follow users who aren’t in your network. It should be interesting to see if the platform takes off and where these posts show up in search results.
Wine Enthusiast Gets a Makeover
Wine Enthusiast’s website and magazine have gotten a makeover. In a press release on Yahoo, Wine Enthusiast writes, “Officially hitting newsstands February 18th, the redesigned March 2014 issue features a cover-to-cover revamp with expanded lifestyle reporting, an improved bold look, beautiful photography and a fresh formula that sets Wine Enthusiast apart from more traditional wine magazines. Accompanying the redesign is more innovative, creative content.” Winemag.com has also gotten a makeover.
Wine Enthusiast Executive Editor Susan Kostrzewa states, “This redesign confirms our stance as the only truly consumer-friendly national wine magazine available today.” The publication also got a new logo. Kostrzewa adds “our refreshed logo — bold, stylish, yet refined — reflects our belief that the intersection of classic appeal and youthful discovery in the wine and food space can be extremely powerful.”
New Digital Hybrid for Dr. Oz The Good Life
Talking New Media is reporting that Hearst has released a digital replica edition of Dr. Oz The Good Life. D.B. Hebbard writes, “The new consumer magazine looks like it will be presented as a replica edition in the various digital newsstands as the app descriptions do not play up interactivity. Because of this, it was a pleasant surprise to see the digital edition for the iPad a pretty good Newsstand app. There is a bit of video sprinkled here and there, but the digital edition is fairly conservative in its approach.”
Reader’s Digest UK Sold for Just Under $2
The NY Post is reporting that Reader’s Digest UK has been sold. The Post staff writes, “Reader’s Digest UK was sold for just £1 by Better Capital a UK hedge fund to a venture capitalist that created Bob the Builder, on Monday. Better Capital, run by Jon Moulton, bought the magazine out of bankruptcy for £14m in 2010. Moulton, a distressed asset manager, pumped an additional £23m into the company.”
A New Publisher for Sail
Bob Bauer has been named the new publisher of Sail. Active Interest Media also made Bauer publisher of Multihull Sailor, Sail New Boat and Gear Review. Trade Only Today writes, “Bauer brings decades of marine industry and publishing experience to his new position. He spent much of his career at Yachting, Cruising World and Sailing World magazines, including roles as publisher and advertising director.”
