Development| Published on November 11, 2008 10:40 pm

614 Magazine to launch in April 2009

By: Walker


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.”

285 Comments

  • Cookie wrote
    Anne wrote Back on topic please.

    I got to see the promo issue of 614 last night and it looks really great. I think it will be a nice addition to Columbus media.

    I know they need to tell advertisers about their desirable demographics and all, but I can’t say I’m terribly interested in a magazine that isn’t even on the stands yet that’s already informed me that I’m too old to read it.

    there is a reason I don’t read highlights for kids or the AARP manual. Thus the reason for putting a “target” demographic out for the people that are looking to advertise. Without advertising there is simply no magazine. It doesn’t state that folks outside of that demographic won’t enjoy the publication. That said if you feel too old I call that a personal problem! :lol:

  • hey now highlights for kids is enjoyable at all ages.

  • Cookie wrote informed me that I’m too old to read it.

    You don’t have to fit 100% of the criteria of the target advertising demographic to be qualified read a publication. I feel like you should probably be old enough to understand that. :P

  • Drew wrote
    Brant Jones wrote Alright, then who’s responsible for THIS? http://www.bengalitiger.com

    Oh, man, this just keeps getting better and better…

    LOL.. Wow, amazing. Of course, this one is private as well. What’s surprising to me is that the domain was still available. Even stranger it was registered and set up today??

    Registry Data

    ICANN Registrar: DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM

    Created: 2008-11-13

    Expires: 2009-11-13

    Updated: 2008-11-13

    Registrar Status: clientTransferProhibited

    Name Server: NS.PHX4.NEARLYFREESPEECH.NET (has 13,590 domains)

    Name Server: NS.PHX6.NEARLYFREESPEECH.NET

    Whois Server: whois.publicdomainregistry.com

  • heresthecasey wrote hey now highlights for kids is enjoyable at all ages.

    I love Highlights!!! I read my sons more than he does–maybe that is the only reason we have the subsrciption…ha!

  • heresthecasey wrote hey now highlights for kids is enjoyable at all ages.

    we can all still learn from Goofus & Gallant.

    http://vortex.org/~alatar/images/goofus-and-gallant.jpg

  • I love the 2060 vedic breathing!!!!

  • Brant Jones wrote Alright, then who’s responsible for THIS? http://www.bengalitiger.com

    Roopan is a good friend of mine and I spoke to him today. Yes, that is his personal website, but he said he is still working on it and for everyone to please be kind. :oops:

  • Paul wrote
    Brant Jones wrote Alright, then who’s responsible for THIS? http://www.bengalitiger.com

    Roopan is a good friend of mine and I spoke to him today. Yes, that is his personal website, but he said he is still working on it and for everyone to please be kind. :oops:

    HAHAHA.

  • OMG I just clicked on that link. LOL!!

  • Paul wrote
    Brant Jones wrote Alright, then who’s responsible for THIS? http://www.bengalitiger.com

    Roopan is a good friend of mine and I spoke to him today. Yes, that is his personal website, but he said he is still working on it and for everyone to please be kind. :oops:

    :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

  • I see Roopan has the same penchant for “I Just Called To Say I Love You” as I do. I wonder if it’s for the same reasons, though. I like it because it is unbelievably depressing, mentions the seasons, and sounds like if a robot farted out a love song while on Whip-Its, reflected off of a rainbow grease smear.

  • I’ve never met this dude, but has anyone mentioned to him that Columbus is not in fact in need of a South Asian Paris Hilton with a Y chromosome?

  • lol – brutal thread.. I’m tempted to pile on, but I’ll keep my keystrokes to my self.

  • Looks like Roopan tried to explain himself on Walker’s blog. I guess I can give him the benefit of the doubt. He seems like he needs it.

  • JimL2 wrote Looks like Roopan tried to explain himself on Walker’s blog. I guess I can give him the benefit of the doubt. He seems like he needs it.

    This is by far some of the funniest shit I have seen on the internet in some time.

  • i’m speechless

  • Ndcent wrote
    JimL2 wrote Looks like Roopan tried to explain himself on Walker’s blog. I guess I can give him the benefit of the doubt. He seems like he needs it.

    This is by far some of the funniest shit I have seen on the internet in some time.

    LOL.. It’s slowly entering into that urban dictionary, 4chan meme level of fame.

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