As the News Media Evolves, Print Still Shows Signs of Life

Last week, Apple and News Corporation launched the iPad-only news app: The Daily. Its mission: “to provide the best news experience by combining world-class storytelling with the unique interactive capabilities of the iPad.”

As an owner of an iPad, I have enjoyed seeing how traditional outlets have adapted their product to this revolutionary device. Naturally, the arrival of The Daily comes with great curiosity and excitement, especially as many traditional media outlets – particularly print – are in survival mode.

But while many print publications are seeing a decline in readership, one is experiencing remarkable growth.

Long-time Lilja client Game Informer magazine reported a six-month average paid circulation of 5,073,003 in the December 2010 Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) Fas-Fax Report released Feb. 7, 2011.

Of the top 25 consumer titles by total paid and verified circulation listed in the report, Game Informer saw the largest increase of 33 percent since December 2009. Game Informer now ranks as the fifth largest consumer magazine in the United States.

As Game Informer publisher Cathy Preston explained: “Our growth exceeds industry expectations for a print magazine – especially when you consider that 62 percent of our subscribers are from the hard-to-reach 18 to 34-year-old male demographic.”

Congratulations, Game Informer.

-- Alex Cook