The Print Media Fade, Part 2

I love printed magazines and newspapers. They have played a pivotal role in my personal development and career.

As a young teen, I delivered the Detroit Free press early every morning. After my deliveries, I always settled in and read my own copy. In doing so, I gained tremendous appreciation for the skills of the feature writers. reporters and columnists.

I was so in love with newspapers that I went to college to become a journalist. Four years later I launched into a great career in publishing, including positions as a writer, editor, and director for dozens of print products, as well as numerous digital products.

Even today, I still pick up a copies of newspapers and magazines when traveling. But the rest of the time I am an Internet junkie, consuming vast amounts of Web content and eNewsletters.

Yesterday another nail went into the coffin of print. Penton Media, one of the largest b-to-b publishers in the U.S., closed its second magazine this week, according to Folio Magazine.

First Penton killed American Printer magazine, a 123-year-old periodical, citing a lack of advertisers and consolidation of readers. Yesterday, Penton discontinued Paper, Film & Foil Converter. You can read about it here.

***Update***Forbes just reported that Q2 2011 brought more downturn to the newspaper industry. Here’s a snippet: “Based on data from the Newspapers Association of America, second quarter print ad growth came in below consensus at negative 8.9%.  Revenues on classified sections deteriorated substantially, with growth down to negative 10.9% versus estimates of a decline of 5.1%.  National print advertising was marginally better than expected, falling 8.8% compared with estimates of a 10% drop.” Read the article here.

Meanwhile, media industry buzz continues to be centered around iPad and Android apps. Everyone, it seems, is consuming content on their laptops, tablets, and smart phones.

This week’s death of two more printed magazines (plus others converting to digital only) inspired me to dig into an old box of printed newspapers I keep in storage.

Bombshell front-page stories like “Nixon Resigns” and “Not Guilty” (O.J.) have far more impact on me in print than they do online. I’ll miss the attention-demanding nature of huge stories splashed brilliantly across page 1.

The reduction of printed materials (also a key factor in the US Postal Service’s gigantic mess) reminded me of a sad image I noticed while running in Florida last year. As I trotted by an attractive building, I saw two signs out front.

One was beautifully etched in stone and proudly proclaimed the name of the printing association which at one time inhabited the now empty building. The second was a giant “For Sale” sign posted a few yards away.

Suddenly that stone sign resembled a tombstone, and now represented the possible death of the printing association and some of its members.

There is no going back. Digital media reigns. I will remember the print era fondly while embracing the digital era.

Tagged with: digital content • digital media • digital publishing • magaziines • newspapers • print media • printed content

Filed under: Digital Media • Digital Publishing • Print Media

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