Print Version of Vibe Continues as Quarterly Magazine

Posted on September 25, 2013

AdAge reports that SpinMedia is continuing to publish Vibe as a print magazine. Vibe will be published quarterly and will cost $4.99 an issue. The magazine has about 200,000 subscribers. Janelle Monae and Robin Thicke are pictured on one of Vibe's three 20th anniversary covers.

SpinMedia acquired Vibe in April, 2013 amidst news it was likely to become a web-only publication. SpinMedia has decided to continue the print version along with the vibe.com website.

Steve Hansen, CEO at SpinMedia, told AdAge, "I have absolutely not made the decision to shut down print at Vibe. We'll continue the print side of the business as long as it makes economic sense and if you look at this issue, it makes sense for us/"

There is a branding element to print that can be lost if the print version is shuttered, so it may make sense to continue a print version even if it is not profitable. Hansen plans to continue Vibe in print as long as it at least breaks even. He told AdAge, "If you view it as marketing and another way to reach your audience, I think it's a pretty good way to get our message out."