Zinio, a digital publisher for consumer magazines, has launched 50 new titles around the world in the second half of the year. U.S. titles launched include Men's Health, Black Enterprise, Penthouse, The Advocate and Out. Many of the foreign launches are becoming available in Britain and Spain, with the latter group including Spanish versions of Cosmopolitan, Elle, Maxim and National Geographic. The company also kicked off a digital version of Business Today for Taiwan and mainland China. Zinio's major publishing partners include Hearst, IDG, McGraw-Hill, Primedia, Hachette Filipacchi and Playboy Enterprises.

Rich Maggiotto, president and CEO of Zinio, touted the product: "Single digital magazine issues and subscriptions are perfect for holiday travelers or individuals living abroad who want local versions of magazines from their home country. In minutes, you can buy digital magazines and have them delivered right to your computer, so that you can take them with you wherever you go."

Ancestry Is Reborn

Ancestry, one of a new generation of magazines launched by Web sites, is being reborn with its November/December issue. The magazine is published by MyFamily.com as an offline companion to Ancestry.com, which helps users trace genealogies and connect with members of their extended family. It offers research tips, stories and more from successful genealogists.

In addition to a colorful new look, new content will appeal to both novice genealogists and advanced researchers. Dennis Szucs, executive editor of Ancestry, says: "Our readership has evolved over the years, and the new Ancestry magazine speaks directly to today's family historian, providing readers of every skill set and all levels of interest with the best and most efficient ways to discover the stories of the lives of their ancestors."

Hearst Goes Glam

Hearst Magazines is hooking up with Glam Media to provide content to Glam.com, which positions itself as an online resource for fashion and lifestyle information. The first magazine slated for partnership, Marie Claire, will provide both editorial content and some unique interactive content to the site. The Glam Media network of 200 Web sites will add links to magazine Web sites, and also help promote subscriptions. Marie Claire will receive prominent positioning on GlamSpace, the site's substantial social network. According to comScore Media Metrix, Glam Media reached 7 million unique visitors in October.

Redbook Gets Bigger

Thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment from publisher Hearst Magazines, Redbook is boosting its trim size by 5%, and is also spending more for higher-quality paper stock, beginning with the July 2007 issue. The publisher says the changes in the physical appearance of the magazine should make it more desirable to advertisers and readers alike. The assertions are based on research conducted by Hearst, although the company didn't explain why trim size would affect salability.

Hearst Promotes Kleiman to VP, PR

Hearst Magazines announced this week that Jessica Kleiman has been named vice president of public relations for the company. Kleiman had previously been executive director of public relations, a post she occupied since February 2005. Before joining Hearst in 2000, she was director of public relations for The Knot, Inc.

Kightlinger Named Publisher of Midwest Living

Meredith Corporation announced this week that Brian Kightlinger has been named the new publisher of Midwest Living magazine. The appointment is effective immediately. Previously, Kightlinger had served as associate publisher of Better Homes and Gardens' Special Interest Media Group. Before that, he was director of Meredith's travel marketing group.