2. VIBE
Background history
Quincy Jones launched Vibe in 1993, in partnership with Time Inc. Originally, the
publication had been called Volume before co-founding editor, Scott Poulson-
Bryant gave it the name Vibe. Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine
founded by producer Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B
and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. After shutting down
production in Summer 2009, Vibe was purchased by the private equity investment
fund InterMedia Partners and is now issued quarterly with double covers, with a
larger online presence, aided by the Vibe Lifestyle Network, a group of
entertainment/music websites under the Vibe brand. The magazine's target
demographic is predominantly young, urban followers of hip-hop culture.
3. Who Publishes it ?
Private equity investment fund InterMedia Partners, LP bought Vibe
Magazine. They have said they "feel privileged to purchase and resurrect
such a storied brand." They added Uptown magazine to Vibe's parent
company, Vibe Holdings. Ron Burkle and Magic Johnson later invested in
the company. Vibe Holdings merged with BlackBook Media to form Vibe
Media in 2012.
Is it an appropriate publisher for my magazine ?
In one way I think that InterMedia would be a good publisher for my
magazine as it already publishers the sort of magazines I want to make mine
into, and its also had really good success with its magazines. Although it is a
good publisher for my magazine I donβt think making another magazine that
is similar to vibe will sell as good as it would be more of a competition, it is
also an American Publisher. On the other hand I think Bauer would be a good
publisher for my magazine, as they havenβt yet published magazines like mine
so thereβs an open gap on the market to fill for a Rnb/Hip Hop magazine and
for that publisher to try something new as well as they havenβt done it
before.
4. What target audience does it cater for?
The publisher Bauer already caters for different types of music magazines but hasnβt
yet really focused on a RnB or Hip Hop sort of genre. They reach millions of readers
for all their magazines which suggests their a popular publisher. They tend to cater
for teenagers/young adults which is perfect for my target audience as that is who iβm
trying to aim my magazine at.
What other music magazines does it publish?
o Mojo
oQ
o Kerrang