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In a previous post about the medium I call "periodicals printed on paper," I wrote that the universe of magazines and newspapers was being winnowed, and only the very best would survive. As my mind's eye darted around a mental image of a newsstand, a few periodicals stood out as "best"; Martha Stewart Living chief among them. MSL has not just created a loyal following and niche audience; it is a symbol of an entire subset of the population, an aspirational icon who is, while not exactly an ordinary person herself, creates a mostly achievable lifestyle. Her magazine will always represent the soul of the DIY culture; not for nothing do people say of any well-executed craft, especially one involving vintage pieces found at a thrift store, "that's so Martha!"Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (NYSE: MSO) confirmed last week that Martha Stewart Living editor Michael Boodro was stepping down without another position, raising questions that he may have been laid off. Not having an editor? That is not very Martha at all. With single-copy sales down 16.5% in the second half of 2008, and new editors in at the other two flagship magazines, Everyday Food and Martha Stewart Weddings, investors are either looking at a house-cleaning and rebuilding, almost complete; or a downward spiral. It will be up to MSL to name a new editor quickly, who shows an obvious affinity for the subject matter, or I will be highly skeptical of the future of MSO stock.
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
2-03-2009 @ 1:33AM
Kevin Mezies said...
Hey AOL, "Martha Stewart Living" is hardly a "major" magazine...
2-03-2009 @ 1:21AM
Lana Sue Sawyer said...
Martha Stewart Living is a great coffee table magazine. It has great articles, outstanding pictures (they go to such great efforts to make each one a work of art). I love the recipe cards in each issue. It is a nice wish book for someone who, being a senior and now in the lower middle class, often has to live vicariously through the various media.
I would hate to see this publication go away. Just like public television, your favorite fine dining restaurant (Black Angus is one of my favorites), we might have to pay more to keep these in our homes and part of our lifestyles. I showed my support to Starbuck's by buying their Gold Rewards Card, and sampling their wide range of products.
Martha Stewart is an icon who has worked very hard perfecting her craft and her leadership, surrounding herself with very bright and talented people. Many CEO's would be afraid to hire other people perfecting their craft and career path.
Although I sometimes wish there were less ads in Martha Stewart Living, the ones there are quality and do not take away from the publication.
2-03-2009 @ 2:39AM
Raejean French said...
There are far too many "lifestyle," "women's," home, food, and DIY magazines on the market, and too large a percentage of each dominated by ads. It's about time they got winnowed down.
2-03-2009 @ 5:35AM
culturediva82 said...
I grew up with magazines and have loved quite many of them for a very long time. It's sad seeing many good ones come to an end, or go online full time, as many already have. The unfortunate reality is, printing and postage costs are escalating at alarming rates. There is even talk of mail delivery days being decreased by one if the Postmaster General has his way. I even knowof a couple of bookstores that do not sell magazines magazine sales would not make them money. Environmental concerns are also at play here, regardless of how anyone feels about "climate change." If Martha Stewart Living really does come to an end, many fans/readers will miss it. But does that mean she is gone away for good? Not hardly! She has a web site, a radio station, and a TV show she could probably focus more on her presence on Other publications are considering having more of a web presence. The web is where increasing numbers of people want to read what they want to read, (even if going to a public library to use a computer is their only means to use it) and we have to deal with this "trend" no matter how much we love the publications that we still love to read. This is the beginning of an on-going decline, like it or not.
2-03-2009 @ 8:27AM
cabbondolo said...
Going, down???? I hope not, I work for the magazine, should I be looking for a new place of employment?????
2-06-2009 @ 9:36PM
J Daniel said...
While reading through these comments, I couldn't help but think of my new favorite magazine--it's called Seeing the Everyday. No advertising, it is beautifully done, and it's focus is clear on the most important part of what we are all working on in our homes: our relationships. http://www.seeingtheeveryday.com.