• by Erik Sass , December 4, 2008

Everyday With Rachael Ray is offering advertisers an interesting cross-platform package in return for buying a certain number of ad pages in the magazine. In addition to their print presence alongside the epicurean everywoman, the magazine is giving them placement on CBS Outernet, the digital out-of-home network reaching supermarket shoppers and other retail customers.

Ads for Kraft and the Almond Board will run on flat-screen video installations in the produce aisles of Albertsons stores nationwide for one week this month, according to the Mediaweek Web site, which first reported the news last week.

The 30-second video spots were produced for the advertisers by the magazine. To give them a personal touch, they star several celebrity chefs and frequent guests of Rachael Ray using the products in settings reminiscent of her TV show. This marks the first time that a magazine has produced original content for CBS Outernet.

However, this isn't the first time that a magazine has partnered with an out-of-home network. In July, Condé Nast's Bon Appetit struck a deal with Premier Retail Networks to distribute special, custom-made content via PRN's Checkout TV, which operates about 19,000 screens at supermarket checkouts, with partners such as Pathmark and Wal-Mart. The short-form, custom content included cooking tips, party ideas and tie-ins with "The Next Food Network Star." Bon Appetit also has a strategic partnership with the Food Network. Actually, this was the second partnership between PRN and Bon Appetit; last summer, they teamed up to promote the magazine's Summer BBQ issue.

Forrester Warns Consumers May Cut Subs

Magazine subscriptions are definitely an optional expense, according to Forrester Research, which released a study warning that consumers could dump subscriptions during the economic downturn. Forrester's annual benchmark survey of 5,000 households found that 18% of magazine subscribers said they will probably cut back on subscriptions. The number gets higher the more subscriptions they have: 22% of people with three to four subscriptions said they would cut back, and 24% of those with five or more.

TONY for Sale

Time Out New York is up for sale, with a starting auction price of $40 million, according to founder Tony Elliott, who said his two business partners are looking to divest their majority stake in the publication. Also for sale is the city guide's Chicago sibling, which is half-owned by Elliott and his two business partners. The other half belongs to Joe Mansueto, the owner of Mansueto Ventures, which publishes Fast Company and Inc.

Atlanta Peach Closes

After two and a half years of publication, Atlanta Peach, a high-end luxe magazine targeting the city's well-heeled elite, has shuttered. The luxury title was shut down this week by owner Niche Media Holdings, along with its Web site. No reason was given for the magazine's closure, but it joins a slew of others killed off by a depressed ad environment, including ritzy titles like Luxury Spa Finder, Golf for Women and Men's Vogue.

Disney Publishing Names Mignucci VP, Sales and Group Publisher

Deborah Mignucci has been named vice president of sales and group publisher for U.S. consumer magazines, according to Disney Publishing Worldwide. Included in her responsibilities will be oversight of Disney's parenting titles Wondertime and FamilyFun. Most recently, Mignucci served as vice president and publisher of American Media's Fit Pregnancy.

Jeff Christian Tapped As Fit Pregnancy, Mom and Baby Publisher

Christian will be publisher of both magazines, and will oversee the FP's Web site. Christian was most recently at Meredith Corp., where he was group associate publisher of the American Baby Group. He also served as a director of integrated sales and a managing director in Meredith's Home Solutions Group.