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Out In The City goes nationwide
Square Peg Media have today announced that its leading gay men’s monthly magazine – Out In The City – is to make the move from free distribution to paid-for title.The magazine, which was launched in December 2006, has, until now, been available as a free, monthly gay magazine, available primarily in bars and clubs in London, Brighton and selected other outlets in the south east of England. However, its October issue will see the title go on sale in WH Smiths and selected independent newsagents across the whole of the UK. This is in addition to the paid-for app version of the magazine.
Commenting on the decision, Out In The City editor, David Hudson said: “The gay scene has changed enormously over the last decade, with a great reduction in the number of gay venues across the UK. Simply put, we can’t rely on all of our target readers to pick us up as a free title in a bar any more; some of them visit the scene very infrequently or not at all. Others live many miles from their nearest gay venue. Reaching those readers is something that we want to address.
“Many of our advertisers have expressed the desire for us to become a nationwide magazine. Although we’ve never doubted having a product that would prove popular with readers across the UK, increasing distribution as a free title outside London is not feasible. At the same time, we’ve been encouraged by the popularity of our Out In The City app for iPhone and iPad, which tells us that we’ve a product that people are happy to pay to read. Of course, not everyone wants, or is able, to read magazines in a digital format, and the feedback we’ve received from both readers and advertisers is that they still wish there to be a hard copy of the magazine. These are the main reasons that have prompted us to make this change.
“Naturally, we’ll be shifting the emphasis of the magazine slightly, to reflect the interests of our nationwide readership, as well as adding extra editorial content. This is a big and exciting challenge for the whole Out In The City team, but we’re looking forward to reaching new readers and taking the magazine to the next level.”
Publisher Sarah Garrett, co-owner of Square Peg Media, added, “Since launching Out In The City, we’ve had amazing feedback. Since its inception, the title has been the only gay men's magazine that doesn’t carry escort or sex-related advertising – a policy that has proved popular with many of its readers. Editor David Hudson has also evolved the editorial slant to reflect gay culture and lifestyle today, making it into the magazine of choice for the modern discerning gay man, whether they’re looking for information on parenting and career choices, or travel, interior design and health and fitness.”
The October issue of Out In The City will be available from newsagents, priced £2.95, from 26 September 2012. The iPhone/iPad app will be available on iTunes, priced £1.99 per issue or £10.99 for a 12-month subscription. To download the app, click here.
Posted: 3 September 2012
