• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, January 27, 2011

strong>PixelMags Unveils Digital Publishing Portal

Magazine publishers are getting more resources for creating digital editions for Apple's iPad and other digital platforms, with the unveiling of PixelMags' new 2.0 tools portal. The suite of PixelMags tools allows publishers to manage all aspects of their digital content, from interactive features and rich media integration to pricing and delivery of magazine apps through the Apple apps store.

Using the PixelMags tools, publishers can drag and drop Web, e-mail, phone and address hotlinks and import videos directly from YouTube with additional options for customization through HTML5. The 2.0 tools portal also offers options for monetizing content through subscriptions, integrating print and digital subs through a single set of APIs. and advertising. That includes membership in PixelMags' advertising network, "Ads by PixelMags," which allows publishers to combine their audiences to extend advertising reach while keeping 100% of ad revenue.

The new PixelMags 2.0 tools portal makes it easier for publishers to get their digital editions through Apple's approval system -- sometimes one of the most labor-intensive parts of mobile publishing for Apple devices -- by taking care of key aspects of the approval process.

Originally developed for Apple devices, PixelMags is working on a cross-platform version of the 2.0 tools portal that should allow publishers to create digital editions for other smartphones, e-readers and tablet computers at no additional cost.

The Week Signs Up for GfK MRI's Starch Ad Research

The Week will back its advertising performance guarantees to advertisers this year with metrics from GfK MRI's Starch Advertising Research. The Week's guarantees to advertisers include the promise that consumer recall of ads in the magazine will rank in the top one-third of all magazines on an advertiser's media plan; if the initial ad schedule does not achieve this result, the magazine will run additional ads at no cost until the result is achieved. 

Publisher Jessica Sibley stated: "We are one of the few consumer magazines to guarantee an advertiser's media investment. It's vital that the research we use to support this guarantee is widely used and understood by the advertising industry." Last year saw a growing number of publishers signing up for GfK MRI Starch's new integrated ad effectiveness metrics, which combine measures of audience accumulation with ad recall and impact, including brand perceptions and actions taken.

The Advocate Bows Mobile App

Here Media, which publishes The Advocate, said it will be unveiling a free, ad-supported mobile app for the LGBT news publication later this quarter. The new Advocate app, created in partnership with mobile publication production company Thumb Media Group, will include news feeds with content from the magazine's Web site in categories such as news, entertainment, features, travel, and health. Users can also watch "The Advocate On-Air," as well as content from NBC on The Advocate. In addition to building and maintaining the app, Thumb Media's technology will facilitate mobile ad sales by the magazine's sales staff.

Rodale Promotes Falkenberry

Alison Hobson Falkenberry has been promoted to vice president of brand and digital communications at health and fitness publisher Rodale, effective immediately, the company announced this week. In this role, Falkenberry will be responsible for leading all Rodale's corporate, brand, book, International and digital media relations efforts. Falkenberry previously served as assistant vice president for brand communications, leading consumer and trade media relations efforts for all Rodale's brands.