• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, March 16, 2007

Rodale Partners announced Thursday that it is partnering with Brightcove to create Internet video channels for its magazine titles. It plans to bring high-quality video content to the Web site of flagship Men's Health first, followed by other media properties. Rodale publishes several health and fitness titles, including, Prevention, Runner's World, Women's Health, Best Life, Backpacker and Bicycling.

The announcement is another coup for Brightcove, which partnered with Time Inc. in February to deliver the same kind of online video service. Brightcove has racked up an impressive client roster in the media world, including MTV Networks, the New York Times Company, Reuters, Sony BMG, Time Life, Warner Music Group and Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive.

Men's Health online video channel will feature content like instructional videos of Men's Health workouts, celebrity interviews, sex, and relationship advice from "Girl Next Door" columnist Nicole Beland as well as user-generated content from readers. Ken Citron, Rodale's senior vice president and chief technology officer, said: "We are focused on inspiring our users to leverage all media formats in their quest to achieve their health and fitness goals. Video gives our editors a way to connect more directly with consumers."

Over the last two years, magazine publishers have shown increasing interest in deploying video on their Web sites, using the appeal of sight, sound, and motion to drive traffic. It's especially appealing given magazine publishers' sometimes rocky transition to online distribution. In addition to the Brightcove partnership, Time Inc. recently created an in-house video production studio for its 130 magazine titles. Smaller magazine titles, like Make, an enthusiast's guide for do-it-yourself geeks, are exploring free video file-sharing at sites like YouTube.

Travel Mag Reece Debuts

The burgeoning travel mag category saw a highbrow addition this week with the debut of online pub Reece: Literary Journeys for the Discerning Traveler, a kind of literary journal about the aesthetic and intellectual facets of travel. The first issue contains an interview with travel writer and essayist Pico Iyer, as well as an essay about Australia by Jan Morris. Reece is edited by Don George, an award-winning travel writer. The title is a common abbreviation of "reconnoiter" or "reconnaissance."

Pace and Wachovia Get CollegeReady

Wachovia Corporation is creating a new custom publication targeting college-bound students and their parents in collaboration with Pace Communications. The new title, CollegeReady, will feature content like guides to federal financial aid, college-savings plans, scholarships and identity theft. The magazine will include content targeted at both teens and parents, including advice from the College Parents of America. Kathy Claar, consumer channel director for Wachovia, explained: "With college costs continuing to escalate and with 66 percent of all students at four-year colleges receiving financial aid, we believe it is important to provide a tool to help families make informed choices about paying for college." The magazine is being mailed to guidance counselors and will also be distributed at Wachovia Financial centers.

ABM Promotes 2 Execs To New Digital Roles

American Business Media, a leading consortium of business-to-business publishers, announced Tuesday that it is promoting two executives to new roles where they will lead the company's strategic move to digital media. Claudia Flowers has been promoted to the position of executive vice-president, and Steve Ennen is becoming vice president of digital business strategies, effective immediately. Flowers will seek out new association members in emerging digital arenas and globally. Ennen will help member companies formulate strategies to adapt and thrive in the digital media marketplace.