• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, October 20, 2011

Popular Science Receives First ABC Consolidated Media Report

The Audit Bureau of Circulations has released its first Consolidated Media Report, a customizable report for U.S. and Canadian consumer magazines to present their total brand with a range of print, digital and mobile products. The first CMR to be released is for Bonnier’s Popular Science, covering the flagship magazine, interactive digital editions, email newsletters, Web sites and mobile apps.

ABC’s CMR combines these print and digital distribution channels on one report. This includes total average circulation for Popular Science; Popular Science+ interactive iPad tablet edition circulation; Web site page views and unique visitors; Twitter and Facebook users; e-newsletter deliveries; and iPhone app page views.

Mike Lavery, ABC’s president and managing director, called the CMR "the future for the magazine industry."

On the media buying side, George Janson, managing partner and director of print at Group M, stated: “ABC’s CMR helps open our eyes to platforms we might not have thought about from a particular partner. At Group M, we’re excited about how magazines are evolving and extending their brands beyond the page."

Better Homes and Gardens Reports Record Halloween Traffic

With the annual eruption of candy, ghosts, and pumpkins just around the corner, Better Homes and Gardens reports that it is receiving a record level of Halloween-related traffic, engagement, search and activity across its Web site and digital destinations. High-trending areas include indoor Halloween decorations, pumpkin carving, plus other pumpkin decorating ideas, and Halloween recipes.

Meredith Corp. sister pub Parents’s “Carve a Pumpkin” smartphone app has generated 558,000+ downloads, a record number for the digital extension. Gayle Butler, editor in chief of Better Homes and Gardens, noted that “BHG.com’s Holiday and Entertaining survey of over 25,000 women shows that almost 50% start their planning for Halloween a month or more in advance.”

American Photo Relaunches Web Site

American Photo announced the launch of AmericanPhotoMag.com, a new and completely redesigned site intended not just for photographers, but anyone seeking cultural literacy in photography. The Web site launch follows an editorial redesign last year and the appointment of top editor Scott Alexander this year.

The new AmericanPhotoMag.com includes portfolio galleries showcasing the work of both emerging photographers and established names in fine art and photojournalism; features on how photography is portraying and shaping contemporary society; guides to Internet resources on photography; and highlights from new gallery and museum shows from around the world.

TVGuide.com Debuts Social Spotlight 

TVGuide.com unveiled Social Spotlight, the latest addition to TVGuide.com’s portfolio of social TV offerings. Featured on the TVGuide.com home page, Social Spotlight provides visitors with a guide to conversations and forums about popular TV shows on Facebook, Twitter, and TVGuide.com itself. The new Social Spotlight feature launched with sponsorship by ION Television’s Flashpoint series. ION’s sponsorship marks the 50th social sponsored integration on TVGuide.com since the site launched social TV check-in in October 2010.

MPA Plans New Social Media Conference

The Magazine Publishers of America is committed to keeping its members up to date on the rapidly changing digital landscape, and in keeping with that mission, the organization is planning a new conference on social media. MPA Digital: Social Media, will feature a keynote address by Andy Mitchell from Facebook’s Platform Partnership team, along with a host of experts delivering practical advice on driving additional revenue and deepening audience engagement through social media.

Panels include “Ka-Ching!  How Social Media Drives More Advertising Revenue,” “The Seven Deadly Sins of Editorial Tweeting (Be a Winner—not a Sinner!),” and “Social Media Experts at Magazine Brands: Nerds or Your Next Boss?”  The conference organizers also promise presentations of “provocative” case studies, best practices, and other useful tips to help publishers leverage social media efforts. The conference is scheduled for Dec. 7 at the Time & Life Building in New York City.