• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, October 17, 2013

Hearst Relaunches Seventeen YouTube Channel

Magazine publishers now have to be in the video business, and more big titles are partnering with professional production companies to create high-quality content for discerning viewers. In the latest such partnership, Hearst Corp. has joined forces with AwesomenessTV, recently acquired by DreamWorks Animation, to relaunch Seventeen magazine’s YouTube channel as part of a broader network of digital channels targeting teen girls.

The new channel will feature programming, including 10 original new scripted shows, which will appear according to a fixed schedule in classic appointment TV style, as well as some user-generated content. Hearst will handle advertising sales for the new channel, while AwesomenessTV produces content focused on style, health and beauty, relationships, and music, entertainment and celebrities.

Hearst hopes the deal will allow Seventeen to tap into AwesomenessTV’s current audience of roughly 60 million monthly unique viewers, including 26 million subscribers, who view any of its 81,000 YouTube channels -- many consisting of user-generated content from other teens and young adults. Seventeen’s existing YouTube channel has about 100,000 followers on YouTube.

This is just the latest in a series of moves by magazine publishers in the video arena. Esquire Network -- a partnership of NBCU and Hearst Magazines -- launched this summer, replacing Hearst’s previous “Style” channel. Meanwhile, Condé Nast Entertainment, the publisher’s new video division, has unveiled digital video channels for a number of publications, including GQ, Glamour, Wired, Vanity Fair, Vogue and Teen Vogue.

Oz Magazine Gets A Name: Dr. Oz The Good Life

Dr. Mehmet Oz is about to become even more ubiquitous with his own magazine, which now has a name: Dr. Oz The Good Life. The telegenic doc and Hearst Magazines Editorial Director Ellen Levine revealed the title of the forthcoming pub at the publisher’s first-ever “Upfront” presentation. The new magazine will cover a wide range of lifestyle-related issues, including food, relationships, family, diet and health. Oz told the audience: “We want it to be playful, and most importantly, I don’t want to treat women like they’re dainty. Because they’re tough…We want to be edgy more than earnest, and we want to give them a little bit of attitude...” The magazine is set to debut in February 2014.

Solomon To Editor, ForbesLife

ForbesLife, the luxury lifestyle magazine produced by Forbes Media, has named Michael Solomon as editor. Solomon previously served as executive editor for Byliner, a start-up digital publisher; before that, he served as features director for The Daily Beast, executive editor for ESPN Books and the editor of Premiere. ForbesLife targets elite influencers who travel and enjoy apparel and accessories, fine watches and jewelry, consumer electronics, home furnishings and luxury vehicles. The magazine is published five times a year and is delivered to subscribers along with Forbes magazine.

Heth Upped To Associate Publisher, The Fader

Graham Heth has been promoted to associate publisher of The Fader, which covers emerging music. Heth previously served as advertising director, a position he held since 2012. He joined The Fader in 2005 as account manager. Over this period, he has become the key contact for corporate accounts in a number of areas including automotive, beers, wine, spirits, packaged goods and entertainment.

Abrahams To Exec Editor, Parade

Andy Abrahams has been named executive editor of Parade Media Group, publisher of Parade magazine. He previously worked for over 28 years at People, most recently as editorial manager. Before that, he also held positions at People including reporter, writer, correspondent, and chief of reporters .