I've written about Newsweek several times, and the most recent edition has prompted me to comment again on the transformation on what used to be a nice news magazine for everyday people interested in, well, news.
(The increase in subscription price and the catering to high-end readers has pushed me to drop my subscription, but my current one runs through October.)
This week's Newsweek not only had diverse, interesting content but also TONS of advertising. Several promotional sections packed with ads peppered the pages, and in the columns section, each columnist had a glossy ad page opposite his mug and type, whereas in previous weeks, Newsweek has had to put two text-filled column pages side-by-side.
I was surprised by large amount of advertising (pushing the issue size to 78 pages) until I saw that it was a double issue. Unfortunately, this may be the only way Newsweek can really rake in the ad dollars, and I'm sad to see that it took an alien cover and a double issue to get substantial ad input. It may be a better marketing strategy to go after high-rollers, but it's killing the old Newsweek that I loved.
Also, what's up with the full-page photos of random stuff, with a quote superimposed, that have no refers to the stories they're actually referring to? Newsweek has three or four of these a week, and I find them frustrating, especially since the rest of their content lacks good art.
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