New York, NY (January 9, 2008)—Research conducted by Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) found that 207 Magazine Digital Initiatives were announced by magazine companies in 2007. This represents an increase of 33.5% in the number of magazine digital initiatives over the total of 155 identified in 2006.

Among the new and diverse initiatives announced by magazine publishers in 2007 are more video for websites, content sharing partnerships, integrated marketing initiatives, innovations in user-generated content, as well as social networks and community building tools, with more blogs, podcasts, widgets and mobile applications.

In 2007 MPA members such as Cond Nast, Forbes Media and Hearst Magazines entered in to first-time partnerships with established online communities such as YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace. Also of note, Hearst, Meredith Corporation and Time Inc. announced the creation of their very own in-house video production companies dedicated to the creation of video and web applications for their online brand.

Here are just some of the MPA members who announced digital initiatives in 2007:

• Bonnier Corporation: Social networking, original video content
• Businessweek: Online video hub, user-generated content, widgets
• Cond Nast: YouTube partnership, new online video channels for all its magazines, integrated marketing programs, social networking programs, user-generated content, online contests
• Consumer Reports: Videos of its vehicle crash tests and crash test dummies, online video archive
• The Economist: Social networking portal, online video content
• Forbes Media: Facebook partnership, online audience network, wikis, online databases
• Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.: Online video, mobile video, website redesigns
• Hearst Magazines: MySpace partnership, content distribution partnership, mobile sites, user-generated content, website acquisitions, video games, branded webisodes
• The Knot: Online retail partnership, original online video content
• Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia: Blog network called Martha's Circle, portal of lifestyle websites and blogs
• Meredith Corporation: Broadband network, original video content, online episodes, portal redesign, blogs, design tools, desktop widgets, wikis and social networking applications
• National Geographic: Photos, video, podcasts
• New York: Video, Integrated marketing programs, video tools, original video content, new blogs
• Newsweek: Website redesign and relaunch, multimedia, RSS, online content distribution
• Paste: Video podcasts, exclusive online interviews
• Playboy: Social networking websites, exclusive iPhone content, Second Life retail location, mobile websites
• Rodale Inc.: Content partnerships, increased video content, integrated marketing campaigns, social networking tools, user-generated content, photos, blogs
• Time Inc.: An original interactive reality show, online video library, user-generated content, new video channels and the development of exclusive games
• Gemstar-TV Guide: Broadband video and exclusive original series, cross-platform initiatives, integrated marketing programs, integrated programming guides
• Wired: Dedicated online video production staff

Information about Magazine Digital Initiatives is posted on the Magazine Digital Initiatives section of the MPA website.  The section offers a comprehensive and detailed list of new products and platforms for consumer magazines. The list is updated weekly and features detailed information with links to press releases and articles where available.  

MPAs Magazine Digital Initiatives is compiled by the associations Information Services Department, which collects information from a variety of sources including Advertising Age, Business Wire Inc., DM News, eMediawire.com, I-Newswire.com, Media Infocenter.com, MediaPost Communications, Medialife.com, Mediaweek, Newsday.com, PR Web, Reuters, Wooden Horse Publishing, Womens Wear Daily and assorted publisher press releases.