Published by Reader's Digest Association, the magazine will include access to a Christian social networking site and DVDs designed to help lead group prayer sessions. The quarterly magazine will sell for $30 per year.
It's one of the toughest times in history to launch a magazine but this magazine -- titled Purpose Driven Connection -- would seem to have a better chance than most. Warren has a huge following and his book The Purpose Driven Life has sold well over 30 million copies. The target demographic is probably old enough that Purpose Driven Connection might be somewhat immune to the issues that have hurt the publishing industry at large.
Alyce Alston, president of Reader's Digest's Health & Wellness and Home & Garden segments, told The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) that "My focus and goal has been on creating products that have huge demand among a Christian audience. If I can do that well, it will monetize itself."
Given that there are something like 100 million evangelical Christians in the United States, she's probably right about that.
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