• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, December 21, 2007

Building on the title's success in 2007, Men's Health magazine plans to begin delivering more lifestyle content--beginning with the Men's Health Blue Book on fashion, due out in October 2008. The first issue of the Blue Book will be a 24-page pull-out section that provides a comprehensive guide to all things denim-related--meaning jeans.

While jeans and a T-shirt are the standard uniform of the Unassuming American Guy, the variety of men's jeans brands and styles has proliferated over the last two decades. Men's Health will help readers steer through the brave new denim wonderland. Of course, there will be plenty of space for advertisers, as Men's Health publisher Rodale gleefully noted that overall jeans sales have grown at an annualized rate of 15% over the past five years.

  The pull-out section will include well-known personalities in the season's latest denim trends, guest contributors from the denim industry, a "Fit Guide" to determine the right jeans for every body type, and a "Denim Directory" reference tool. The pull-out section will also point readers to an interactive "mix and match" tool online to experiment with various looks.

Newsweek Launches New Political Blog

In partnership with the Media Bloggers Association, Newsweek is launching a new group politics blog called "The Ruckus." With nine well-known political bloggers and pundits as contributors, the blog will cover the upcoming presidential campaign by providing a "best of" selection drawn from their blog posts. Deidre Depke, editor of Newsweek.com, explained: "We think "The Ruckus" will introduce readers to a new array of voices and will encourage enlightened political discourse as the '08 race steps into high gear."

Radar Increases Frequency, Rate Base

Radar is increasing its frequency from six to eight issues a year, beginning in February 2008. The publisher of the oft-revived magazine is clearly betting that this time, it's here to stay. It's also increasing the rate base from 150,000 to 200,000. Finally, the magazine is getting a new associate publisher, P.J. Lucas, who will help direct the planned expansion.

  Uptown Spreads to More Towns

Uptown, a magazine that targets affluent African-Americans, will expand its geographic reach substantially with plans to create city-specific publications in seven additional cities in 2008-2010. Currently published in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., the magazine will now get independent regional editions in big cities, including Los Angeles and Miami. It also plans to increase the various magazines' frequency from quarterly to 10 per year.

Working Mother to Give Awards to Congress

In partnership with Corporate Voices for Working Families, an advocacy and lobbying group dedicated to improving family support services for working parents, Working Mother Media is going to present "Best of Congress" awards to senators and representatives who have done the most to improve the quality of life for working families. Members of Congress who apply will be judged on their voting record, sponsored legislation, and efforts to promote legislation that is helpful to working families.