Originally posted by Lord Lucan Same with me. My father used to get it, and later, around the time I was buying my first SLR (ME Super), I got it for a few weeks (is it still weekly?). I think I outgrew it after a while. A lot of reviews were about P&S cameras, and editorial content that interested me was few and far between. I don't think they really had enough material to fill it every week. Except with adverts of course - it was a good way to find used stuff from dealers before Ebay existed. I'm surprised to learn that AP still exists.
Yep. Me too.
I used to work in the publishing industry a long time ago, but I don't think things have changed that much.
Making money in magazines/ newspapers...then... was primarily through selling advertising, particularly the full page, 4 colour adverts and especially the inside front cover, inside back cover and outside back cover. Also full page adverts...colour of B/W were great for generating money.
Subscriptions and newsstand sales were fine, but they were regarded as the gravy, the extra, the bonus.
The money that kept the presses rolling, writers, photographers, secretaries, ad salesman, etc., paid, fixed expenses, covered, ensured owner- publishers making a handsome profit.... well.... that was dependent on how much advertising could be brought in...regularly.
Aside from money , the demographics of readers that bought magazines, newspapers were very important...to the advertising dept.
Ad sales would use the demos to convince potential advertisers that if they bought ad space...they would be reaching a moneyed customer demo with a keen interest in buying , for example expensive camera equipment, if a photo magazine. Hence the much sought after 4 colour, inside and outside back covers....by advertisers, invariably big, usually camera manufacturers.
I'm surprised that AP ...or any print magazine exists...I'll throw in newspapers too. Advertisers have gone online, etc....and I don't see them returning to print anytime soon.
It is not easy to run a magazine...where are you going to find someone who can write snappy commentary , do well thought out analytic testing...come up with front magazine/ newspaper covers with 'grab you ' headlines that trigger impulse buying off the newsstand and trigger those same consumers to buy....every day, week, month...depending on how often the particular print media comes out.
It is getting harder and harder for print media.
Me, I'm glad I left the biz for greener pastures, many moons ago.
Last edited by lesmore49; 06-26-2020 at 11:11 AM.