• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, June 9, 2011

SI's Golf Preview Swings to Record

The magazine industry is mostly just hanging in there, with modest growth in the first half of 2011, but there are some notable exceptions, with certain titles enjoying positively explosive ad page increases.

The latest example is Sports Illustrated, which said its annual SI Golf Plus US Open Preview saw ad pages jump 33% compared to last year, to a total of 43. This includes three eye-catching multi-page gatefolds from Titleist, Callaway and Northwest Mutual.

The US Open Preview is the fifth of six stand-alone issues planned for SI Golf Plus in 2011; the final issue (for July 11-18) will focus on the British Open Preview. Overall, the Sports Illustrated Golf Group, which includes Golf and SI Golf Plus, said ad pages for the year through June are up 10% in both publications. SI Golf Plus said ad pages in the all-important golf equipment and apparel category are also up 10% for the first six months of 2011.

This success is due partly to the popularity of the SI Golf Group's "See Buy Try" program, which coaches consumers through the stages of researching golf products, trying them out and eventually making a purchase decision -- while promoting key retail partners GolfTEC and Golfsmith along the way.

Last year, NBC's broadcast of the U.S. Open drew over 10 million viewers, and reports indicate that the absence of Tiger Woods will have little adverse impact on the golf championship this year -- at least in financial terms, as most tickets and corporate sponsorships have already been agreed. The defending 2010 champ, Graeme McDowell -- the first European winner in four decades -- is hoping for an encore this year. 

After Apple Concessions, Publishers Unveil New Free Apps

Following a year filled with disagreements with publishers over the terms of subscription sales, Apple made several key concessions on Monday. Most importantly, Apple said publishers are no longer required to sell subscriptions through iTunes, freeing them from the need to hand over 30% of every purchase to the tech company.

Previously, Apple said publishers could sell their subscriptions independently -- for example, on their Web sites -- provided they did not offer better deals for non-iTunes sales, and only as long as titles were also listed for sale in iTunes, where it gets a 30% cut.

Recently, Apple also relaxed the rules to allow publishers to give print subscribers free access to the same publications' iPad apps. Not long after the Apple announcement, big magazine publishers unveiled several new iPad apps and consumer marketing initiatives.

Source Interlink said it was giving print subscribers free access to Motor Trend and Automobile apps, which previously cost print subscribers $3.99 per month. Conde Nast's Self announced a new iPad app for "Self Beach Body Workouts," which is available for $0.99 via iTunes, with exclusive sponsorship by Nivea Good-bye Cellulite as part of a multiplatform marketing partnership with the magazine and its Web site.

Meredith Announces New Exec Appointments

Meredith Corp. announced a number of new executive appointments and promotions this week. Among the changes: Gayle Butler was promoted to Meredith executive vice president, group creative content leader, and editor in chief of Better Homes and Gardens; Jim Carr was promoted to Meredith executive vice president and president of Better Homes and Gardens, giving him responsibility for all Meredith's large lifestyle brands (also including Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal). Carey Witmer was promoted to Meredith executive vice president and president of the Parents Network; and Liz Schimel was promoted to executive vice president and chief digital officer. Finally, Meredith announced that Dick Porter (previously the CEO of the Publishing Group of America) is joining the company as executive vice president and president of media sales.

Taylor Named Publisher of VIVmag

VIVmag -- a digital lifestyle publication for women owned by digital publisher Zinio -- has a new publisher, Jocelyn R. Taylor. Taylor previously served as publisher of Uptown, and also held executive roles at Black Enterprise and Gotham Magazine, among others. Most recently, she founded and led JRT Multimedia, a full-service luxury brand marketing and media agency.