• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, June 29, 2007

Proud owners of Apple's new uber-device the iPhone can peruse a variety of cheesecake content, courtesy of Playboy, which is calling the new service iPlayboy. With the announcement, Playboy appears to be first out of the gate with mobile content developed specifically for the iPhone.

Included in the iPlayboy offering are 12 non-nude wallpapers for the phone, a separate photo album with 12 other Playmate photos (presumably more revealing), a one-hour episode of Playboy Radio's "Playmate Hour" and a Cyber Girl video from Playboy.com.

John D. Thomas, editor of Playboy.com, says the company has always tried to "stay ahead of the curve by delivering the fun, sophistication and sexiness of Playboy to our fans on the newest and hottest media platforms. We knew we had to develop something specifically designed just for this device."

Kelly Award Submissions Explained--On YouTube

The best video submissions explaining the inspiration behind magazine ads submitted for the Kelly Awards (in mockumentary fashion) have been posted on YouTube for general enjoyment. The amusing shorts, also available for viewing at www.magazine.org/Advertising_and_PIB/Kelly_Awards/, feature the creative teams behind Pedigree, MARS "Kids & Dogs" Campaign, by TBWAChiat, the U.S. Navy "NSW/NSO (SEALs)" Campaign, by Campbell-Ewald, Jeep's "A New Species from Jeep" Campaign, by BBDO Detroit/NY, the Barely There "Invisible Look" Campaign, by The Martin Agency and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority "Be Anyone" Campaign, by R&R Partners. Props include talking dogs and vegetables as female anatomy.

Scientific American Gets a Makeover

Scientific American, the venerable if slightly stodgy journal of science for the layperson, is launching an updated version featuring more news, opinion and interactivity, owner Holtzbrinck Publishers announced this week. The redesign is part of Holtzbrinck's broader strategy focusing on more cross-platform integration.

Fight! Magazine To Debut In July

Fight! magazine, published by Bluff Media, is set to debut in July. Its first issue features a profile of Matt Serra, winner of Ultimate Fighter 4 and current UFC welterweight champion. Among its contributors are ultimate fighting bigs like Bas Rutten, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Rickson Gracie.

Three Luxury Publishers Join Forces

Three prominent controlled-circulation luxury magazine publishers--Greenspun Media Group, Niche Media Holdings and Ocean Drive Media Group--have entered into a strategic partnership under the umbrella "Niche Media." The goal is one-stop-shopping for marketers that are targeting the wealthy. Altogether, the three companies have a combined distribution of over 750,000 in 16 cities.

Crichton Named Exec Ed at Better Homes and Gardens Site

Doug Crichton has been named executive editor of the Better Homes and Gardens's Web site. Previously, Crichton was editor in chief of Time Inc.'s Cooking Light and Health magazines, with additional responsibility for their Web sites. In his new role, he will lead editorial responsibilities for an Internet site that attracts more than 5 million unique visitors a month, with content covering decorating, remodeling, crafts, cooking and gardening.