Magazine Boom. Expect a birth announcement for a new magazine from AARP
next spring. The publishers of Modern Maturity plan to launch a title
for the boomer set, and rumor has it that Betsy Carter (formerly editor-in-chief
at New Woman) will be at the helm. If Modern Maturity's 20.2 million
circulation is any indication, the as-yet-unnamed baby book will probably be
a fat one. Stay tuned for pitch tips.
(AARP, 202/434-2500)
Lock, Stock & Grok. Capitalizing on the success of its in-depth
special reports, the Industry Standard spins off its "Grok" section from
the magazine into a monthly standalone pub featuring original content. The premier
issue of Grok (a verb that connotes intimate and exhaustive knowledge
of a topic) focuses on entertainment. Subsequent themes in the pipeline include
education, wireless communication, healthcare, marketing/advertising, travel/transportation
and careers, according to spokeswoman Alissa Neil. Launched by executive editor
Bob Cohn, the new title is available on newsstands and free to subscribers.
But if you've got an itchy phone-dialing finger, resist the temptation and pitch
the writers by email (addresses can be found at http://www.thestandard.com).
Phone calls are non grata.
(Alissa Neil, 212/497-2614)
Celebrate Failure. For the more daring pitchmeisters among us...now there's an opportunity to showcase your company's worst snafus. Failure magazine makes its
debut on the Web, exploring the tragic flaws and lessons learned from blunders in the arts, entertainment, business, science, technology, history and sports arenas. The launch
issue, for example, features an interview with Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak, plus analysis of a Kellogg's product launch that didn't make the grade. Jason Zasky,
formerly managing editor of Billboard's Musician magazine, is editor and CEO of the new venture.
(914/722-6295; http://www.failuremag.com)