• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, June 28, 2012

Zinio Is For Sale

Digital magazine newsstand and publisher Zinio is putting itself on the auction block, according to Fortune.com, which cited reports that the company had retained Montgomery & Co., an investment bank, in the hopes of attracting bids in the range of $50 million to $100 million.
 
When asked about the report, Zinio told Folio: "While the company has been engaged in similar discussions in the past, Zinio has never had a stronger vision, strategy and road map to engage the right set of potential partners.”
 
In November of last year, Zinio raised $20 million in funding, and it is one of the most popular news apps for the iPad. Indeed, the digital magazine publisher’s platform seems ideally suited to the wave of tablet computers that appeared over the last few years, and which are currently proliferating with the debut of cheaper iPad competitors.
 
However, Zinio also faces new competition, including from the Apple Newsstand itself. How the company will fare in the long run versus competing newsstands from Apple, Amazon, and others remains to be seen.
 
AARP The Magazine Launches Summer Road Trip
 
AARP The Magazine is hitting the road to promote the publication and its namesake organization. Editor in Chief Nancy Graham and her staff will be greeting festival-goers at the Three Rivers Regatta in Pittsburgh, the Aspen Arts Festival, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, and the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul.

AARP brand ambassador and former Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino will appear at the Three Rivers Regatta event. Total attendance at these fairs is projected to be about 1 million. The AARP The Magazine Road Trip is sponsored by Jitterbug by GreatCall and Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co.

The footprint includes a 15x15 tent where the editors will interact with attendees. There is also a tent where both premiere sponsors will have their products and services on display. Guests can also enter a sweepstakes sponsored by the same brands.

Meredith Brings Mags to Google Play
 
Meredith Corp. is bringing digital editions of some of its most popular magazines to Google Play, where consumers will be able to buy single issues for Android smartphones and tablets for 99 cents. Available titles include Family Circle, EveryDay with Rachael Ray, Ladies’ Home Journal, Midwest Living and More. Consumers can buy both new and back issues of the magazines. The purchased magazines are stored and accessible using cloud technology.
 
Connery to Brand Content Director, Parenting, Babytalk
 
Bonnier Corp. has named Ana Connery to the position of brand content director for Parenting and Babytalk. Connery previously served as editorial director for Parenting and Babytalk, assuming this role in 2010, after joining Bonnier’s Parenting Group in 2009 as editor in chief of Babytalk. In her new position, she will be responsible for leading print and digital efforts to streamline content development and execution.