614 Magazine to launch in April 2009
Press Release wrote
Local publishers bet big on Columbus
At what might seem an inopportune time to launch a new print publication, a pair of local publishers are betting big on Columbus and its largest demographic with the launch of 614 Magazine.
“We call ourselves “Generation Columbus”. There is nothing that really speaks to our group and there are more than 150, 000 people in this city between 25 and 35. That is what got us started thinking about this magazine. We wanted something good to read,” said Wayne T. Lewis, publisher.
Lewis, along with Clark Gaines are the publishers of the new, free monthly that will launch April 1, 2009. Despite being five months away, the publishers have approached the launch of their new publication in a unique way. They have produced a 104-page pilot issue which displays the depth and quality of the magazine to potential advertisers.
“This pilot issue has given us the opportunity to invest early in the sales team that will help make this a success. If advertisers have learned anything in the last few years, it’s that targeted advertising gives them a better bang for their buck and 614 will deliver that,” said Lewis. “Plus, the quality of our content and the way we do business will reflect highly on our advertising partners.”
614’s high-quality, original content covers a wide range of interests from the city’s dynamic arts and cultural scene to its music, both national touring acts and local artists. From personal finance to real estate and from fitness to fashion, the magazine shines a light on all that Columbus has to offer its largest group of residents.
“614 Magazine isn’t just for young professionals. We have reflected the wide variety of tastes, styles and values that make up our demographic. We are a true niche publication, rather than a typical, general-interest, “city magazine”,” said Gaines.
The editorial staff includes a certified culinarian, Angela Theado. In her At Home Chef feature, she shows readers how to prepare a gourmet-quality dishes in their own home, from ingredient selection to presentation. Also setting the magazine apart are other unique features like Adventure Girl. Spunky Stephanie Reighart explores a variety of adventures close to home, from hang gliding to spelunking, and provides tips for do-it-yourself weekend-adventurers. Walker Evans of columbusunderground.com contributes his deep knowledge of Columbus with city and dining news.
“The magazine is large, it is gorgeous, and people are going to pick it up,” said 614’s editor-in-chief, David S. Lewis. “The content is focused and intelligent, the photos are beautiful, the layout is clean, modern and very Columbus. It’s going to fly off the racks.”
The magazine will be distributed at over 250 locations designed to effectively target the audience. Over 100 of those locations will receive custom-designed, stainless steel displays which will help push 25,000 copies into readers hands.
It is no secret that print media in general has not fared well in the face of the shift to online media consumption. That, combined with the general economic uncertainty has not deterred the publishers from making a considerable investment in the project they believe will pay off.
“During tough economic times, advertisers make a flight to quality, and we intend 614 Magazine to be the quality print media in Columbus,” said Gaines. “We realize that’s a high place to set the bar right off the bat, but we would have it no other way.”
Columbus-area businesses seem to agree.
“We’re delighted to be participating in the pilot issue of 614. We take a very targeted approach to marketing in Columbus and are always looking for ways to reach out to the upwardly mobile, tech-savvy 25-35 demographic, said WOW! Internet and Cable Marketing Manager, Denise Bauer. “It looks like 614 Magazine will fit the bill perfectly.”
“I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like it in Columbus,” agreed Allison Sweeney, Field Marketing Manager for Buca di Beppo restaurants. “We are very excited to be involved with this new magazine and, from what I’ve seen so far, I think it’s going to be a huge hit.”
The company’s continued growth & success with their two other niche print products, Tiger Weekly at LSU and UWeekly at Ohio State, has reinforced their confidence in launching another niche publication in Columbus. The publishers have also enlisted the help of an advisory board made up of the demographic which will meet each month to help keep the magazine on target.
“April can’t get here soon enough. We have hired great people, we’ve developed a unique concept, Columbus is the perfect city and we have the experience to make it a reality,” said Wayne T. Lewis. “That, and I’ll finally have something engaging to read while I’m waiting for lunch.”
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Related Tags: 614 magazine • local media • magazines
November 12th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Sounds like a great project Walker. So when is this “pilot” issue supposed to be made available? Any information on who is editing the magazine in case someone (such as myself) would like to do some freelancing for it?
November 12th, 2008 at 8:02 am
So I googled the magazine to try and find a website and came up with 614mag.com which seems like a resource for strip clubs in Columbus. Hopefully they will find a good way to market the website so that folks don’t just end up there wondering why.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:38 am
The pilot issue is primarily for selling ads and isn’t getting a full public release. There is a private launch party tonight for it, so there will be some issues floating around out there. The editor-in-chief is David S. Lewis. I’ll PM you his email address, as I’m not sure if he wants it made public yet. I’ve actually recommended a few people from CU as freelance writers, but as of right now they seem to have their writers all lined up. I expect them to possibly start looking for more once the magazine launches though.
Whoa. Hadn’t seen that. Pretty funny. This is the official website: http://614columbus.com (nothing there yet though)
November 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
here’s the website:
http://www.614columbus.com/
although it obviously isn’t up an running just yet.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Dang, Walker’s quick on the draw.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:42 am
If it’s nothing like C Magazine, I will be a happy camper.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I am apparently too old to read this magazine.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:08 am
It can’t possibly be any worse.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Guess will just have to stick with the AARP Quarterly.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to let all curious parties know that the official website to our magazine is www.614columbus.com
If you wind up at www.614magazine.com you will see that is obviously not the magazine’s website, rather a website featuring reviews of local strip clubs.
The owner of that website is Roopan Dey, publisher of C Magazine. Roopan owns the 614magazine.com website, however we own the copyrights and trademarks to the name. He has put this content up on that website in an attempt to confuse the general public. Rest assured our legal representation is handling the matter and we will have it all shored up in time for the April launch.
We look forward to everyone getting a chance to see our new publication. We’re very glad to have Walker on board with us and think the magazine will be a success
Clark Gaines
Publisher
614 Magazine
November 12th, 2008 at 9:15 am
…still classy as ever, I see.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Yeah. That gave me a good laugh this morning.
What a chotchwad.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:27 am
The good news is, I doubt Roopin will make the payments on his domain name registration for long.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Parasitic. I have heard similar stories from other people.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:32 am
damn that is fuckin hilarious! er, i mean sorry for 614, but damn that is some dirty roopaning.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:29 am
LOL.. Goofy. Psy ops yo. You can’t play with my toys.. NO, I am the only person who can have a magazine. Why would I let the market decide???
November 12th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
November 12th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Will be shutting down in April 2009 since I’m unable to multitask. :P
November 12th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I heard print is dead.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I hear that joke is hilarious.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Dude, Lyndsey Teeter herself says Lyndsey Teeter is hilarious. How can you argue with that?
November 12th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
ROFL
November 12th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Not dead. Dying.
[url]http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/11/cash-crunch-at-new-york-times-nyt-400-million-due-in-may[/url]
I wouldn’t wish the newspaper or magazine business on my worst enemies.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
That’s what I was afraid of. I guess I be spending more time on CB then or Columbus-ite.com :D :cry: :) :( :? :o :P
November 12th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Well, that certainly was a speedy transition from internet-meme to IRL-usage. I heard this new verb used by no less than 10 people tonight. :shock: