F+W Responds to Magazine Closings, Layoffs

FOLIO: first reported yesterday F+W Publications' shuttering of five of its hobbyist magazines in its Krause Publications division. "The value proposition in magazine print-relative to other media-wasn't as evident anymore," magazine division president David Blansfield said Thursday.

"Thirteen people were affected by the shuttering of these titles, and we're considering reassignment of staffers when and where possible," Blansfield wrote in an e-mail to FOLIO:. "I think it needs to be emphasized that we're a diversified media company-and we remain committed to these markets."

The shuttered titles include Antiques and Collectibles Journal, Comics & Games Retailer, Toy Cars & Models, Toy Shop and Vintage Motorcycles.

"These publications are small, niche titles and unfortunately the economics of today's media environment don't work in their favor," Blansfield continued. "But these are vital communities, and we continue to serve them through broader titles with books and through e-media and events."

F+W purchased Krause Publications in June 2002 for $120 million.

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COMMENTS: 3

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Shuttering of Niche Publications

Submitted by Christina Inge on Fri, 12/21/2007 - 09:08.

It looks as though niche publications are going to be moving more and more away from print and onto the web. Not only does this make economic sense, but in many ways, online communities are a more logical place for niche hobbyist media-they offer users more opportunities to interact with others in their community and share knowledge. Yet print is not dead-many readers prefer print niche publications because they save old issues for reference, something that can be much more readily done with print media.

shuttering pubs and F+W

Submitted by Brendan Dooley, founding editor of Vintage Motorcycles on Fri, 12/21/2007 - 11:35.

The real shame here is that not all these titles were given a chance to thrive, let alone survive. Vintage Motorcycles, for example, was never given a consistent publisher (3 in 2 years, including 6 months with no publisher), inconsistent marketing and circulation attention and budget, and close to zero ad sales support. And that's just one of the closed pubs. Since F+W bought Krause, the effort has been to rake in as much profit from the cash cows and eliminate spending everywhere else. The bottom line may look good to someone, but the titles, and the people especially, sure as heck suffer. My best to all the Krause employees who lost their jobs at the holidays.

Magazine Closings

Submitted by Jim Grace on Sat, 12/22/2007 - 02:30.

I am probably not the first to ask this question... Can these products remain active simply as Web Based publications? The advertising revenue that is generated can be used to help maintain the staff...perhaps not as large a staff as the current, but perhaps enough to maintain editorial integrity?

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