I believe that I am as red blooded as the next man, well maybe more than some and less than some others, and I, too, wouldn't mind talking to and standing next to the model Brooklyn Decker. That is what this article is about - a campaign by Esquire magazine to send all red blooded Esquire readers all over cities looking for babes and magazine logos.
I think the stunt is pretty cool and I am sure that it will garner plenty of industry publicity. For that purpose it will most likely perform very well for the magazine. But it brings up a subject I have been pondering for quite some time. I have been to several meetings lately where publishers have suggested that PURLS and QR Codes will help save the print publishing business. I'm not so sure that is entirely accurate. Sure we should participate in the revolution of codes and offer any kind of dynamic interaction we can muster, but I am resistant to the idea that sending people away from the printed page to some cell phone activity or to the web is actually a good idea in the long term for printed magazines. I think I would rather prove the vitality of the printed page by spending the same money on stellar editorials or totally compelling writing.
At the end of the day a printed magazine should stand on its feet and proudly be what it is - a damn good read. All the other stuff is bluster, smoke and mirrors. If your magazine is a digital magazine, have at it and be all that you and the digital world can be. If it is instead a traditional magazine, than you to should be all that you can be. To me that would be accomplished by having the most addictive content possible. Sending your readers away from the printed page seems to me to be counterproductive to the long term survival of the printed product.
This concept and reluctance of mine not to send the readers away from the page is still under development. I would like to hear from my readers. What do you think? Is it a good idea? If it is, please tell me why.
Discussion
By Roy Seibert on Jan 24, 2011
I am confused, is it no longer "a damn good read" if it is not printed on paper? Is it not the goal to have as many of the people who want to have the information or knowledge to receive it as efficiently, effectively and quickly as possible?
Our methods of communicating and sharing ideas and knowledge are changing because the masses are wanting to be exposed to it in different ways.
I enjoy sitting down early on Sunday morning when the house is quiet to read the printed word with none of the surrounding noise, smoke and mirrors. However, I watch my college-aged children and their friends use various types of digital media to do research papers, homework, communications, entertainment and more.
I for one applaud Esquire and their ability to embrace the new technology and believe that adding these elements may bring more readers to them, exposing their content to a broader audience. I really don't think it is sending readers away, it is capturing more imaginations. Who knows maybe my 21 year old son will now read Esquire, last I checked he was red-blooded.
By Stephen Eugene Adams on Jan 24, 2011
I guess it matters whether the QR Code or PURL is printed in an article or an advertisement. I do believe that a selling point to advertisers to put an ad in a printed magazine is that the reader can be redirected from the ad to an online site that has more information and is designed to capture information from prospective customers. We need as much incentive to advertisers to continue to publish in printed pieces.
By Steven Schnoll on Jan 26, 2011
Whether something is printed on paper or delivered digitally is not the significant part of a magazine or for that matter any publication. People read because they are seeking content and information. We used to communicated via handwritten letters and the telephone. now we use email,text messaging or social media. People want to obtain their content in the most convenient manner. People still love horses but that is not the preferred mode of daily transportation.
Embrace the digital evolution!