• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, July 24, 2014

Golf World Print Edition Closes, But Ups Digital Frequency

Condé Nast will shutter the print version of Golf World, but will continue to publish in digital form, per AP. Condé Nast did not indicate there will be any layoffs or staff changes as part of the move. Now that it is freed from the constraints and expense of a print publication, the magazine will actually increase its frequency from 31 issues per year to 50 issues per year.
 
Launched in 1947, early on Golf World became the news companion to Golf Digest, a monthly magazine that was launched in 1950. Like other enthusiast publications, both magazines have seen ad pages decline in recent years. In the first quarter of 2014, Golf World’s ad pages were down 20.1% compared to last year to 118.5, while Golf Digest posted a 7.9% drop, to 151 ad pages.
 
The AP quoted Golf World and Golf Digest Chairman Jerry Tarde: “It's a response to the times and people's reading habits, and the changing nature of the 24-hour news cycle. The notion of a print magazine that lands a week after the action... the perspective is really good, but it's much better if it can be delivered immediately. That's what our readers' expectations are.”
 
Tarde told ESPN: “Golf World is not ending… We're all about producing great content. Where it appears has become less critical. Now you're getting it quicker, through all different devices.”
 
Condé Nast Shakes Up C Suite
 
Condé Nast is shaking up its high-level executive organization, according to Ad Age. Among the big shifts, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour is assuming more responsibility for the company’s editorial operations, as Editorial Director Tom Wallace leaves the company. Also leaving is COO/CFO John Bellando, who will be replaced by David Geithner, formerly of Time Inc. Finally, Condé President Bob Sauerberg is assuming responsibility for Condé Nast Media Group; CNMG President Lou Cona will report to Sauerberg rather than Condé Nast Chuck Townsend.
 
 
Redesign for The New Yorker Web Site
 
It’s a big week for Condé Nast. In addition to closing Golf World and shaking up the corporate leadership, the high-end publisher also announced the debut of a new, redesigned Web site for The New Yorker. The reimagined newyorker.com features a new look with bigger photographs, editorial offerings and responsive design optimized for desktop, mobile and tablet consumption with single-screen scrolling. The magazine is also making its entire archive since 2007 free online to readers for a limited period of time. Launch partners for the redesign include Cisco, Häagen-Dazs, HSBC, and Stolichnaya Premium Vodka. The magazine also announced that it will introduce a metered paywall later this fall.
 
SpinMedia Group Buys Death and Taxes
 
SpinMedia Group has acquired Death and Taxes, a men’s lifestyle site, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal. Financial details of the deal weren’t disclosed. The deal comes not long after Spin had a brush with bankruptcy in February, which the company avoided by turning ownership over to private equity backers and raising a new round of capital from investors. The LA Biz Journal quoted CEO Dale Strang: “We’re structurally and financially a new company, and this is the first of what we think will be multiple expansions. We’re choosing them carefully, but we’re excited about it.”

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