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.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-02-2009 @ 2:31PM
Reiley said...
eek..now what will I read in the dreaded waiting rooms?
2-02-2009 @ 3:14PM
molly6 said...
GOOD! Hope the show is on the line also. I've been sick of her telling me I had to decorate a certain way, entertain a certain way, live a certain way and if I don't, my life isn't worthwhile. I wish she'd crawl under a rock and disappear.
2-02-2009 @ 5:24PM
karenlub said...
This is an odd comment given that in the NY Times on Sunday Martha Stewart Living was one of the very few magazines showing an increase in ad pages -- and a significant one at that. I wouldn't think a magazine that can suceed against the tide of fallilng pages would fold.
Maybe Ms. Stewart doesn't read the Sunday NY Times, or MS Living isn't telling the truth about their ads...
2-02-2009 @ 5:36PM
teltech541 said...
Predicted 20 percent of all magazine and newspapers would fold this year about a month and a half ago. Looks like this one will come true.
2-02-2009 @ 6:41PM
wynhoe1 said...
i love martha she rocks
2-02-2009 @ 6:46PM
David C. said...
As a former subscriber to Martha Stewart Living & her Everyday Food Magazine, I cancelled not because of price, but I couldn't keep up with the reading. They're both great and useful magazines. I got too busy to pay for something to just sit on the coffee table.
2-02-2009 @ 6:47PM
Barbara said...
I hope M. Stewarts mag sticks around. I like her & her magazine. Lots of great suggestions. Too bad it couldn't be that obnoxious "O" mag to fold instead. Now that is nothing more than a worthless compilation of self promoting drivel and calculating mind control. Get rid of Oprah and her "O"!
2-02-2009 @ 7:10PM
Sonja Dunbar said...
I certainly hope that MSL hangs in there, because it's a wonderful magazine - a work of art. The illustations, pictures, and articles are perfection - only Martha could put out such a publication. No other magazine compares to it. Southern Living used to be my other favorite, but evidently they have cut corner, so it's just not the great magazine it used to be - will not be subscribing anymore. PLEASE, Martha, keep up the good work!!!
2-03-2009 @ 9:26PM
trish said...
Re: molly6's inane comment: "GOOD! Hope the show is on the line also. I've been sick of her telling me I had to decorate a certain way, entertain a certain way, live a certain way and if I don't, my life isn't worthwhile. I wish she'd crawl under a rock and disappear."-------------------------------it's not as if someone has a gun to your head making you watch it....some of us actually enjoy it. If you're not one of them, simply don't buy the magazine and turn the channel.......you sound like a liberal......wanting to change everything YOU personally don't like, regardless of whether those around you like it or not....
2-02-2009 @ 7:34PM
tom said...
to bad it's not time
2-02-2009 @ 7:39PM
Rix said...
I hope the mag doesn't go away. She reminds me of my mom. Her magazine sounds like my mom telling me how to do stuff. Very useful, very Connecticut!
2-02-2009 @ 7:41PM
Rix said...
Thanks Trish.
2-02-2009 @ 10:34PM
dave miedema said...
Barbara:
I like the way you think...Oprah is all ego and no substance...just like another "O" she helped push into the White House.
2-02-2009 @ 9:09PM
Mike F said...
I hope Martha the "JAIL BIRD" Stewart's show goes with her liberal mag.
2-02-2009 @ 9:36PM
Leanne said...
I used to be a fan of her magazine--until the last time I called to renew. I'd sent in a renewal offer along with a check, but never received my magazine. Called to ask what gave--they told me the offer I sent in shouldn't have been sent and didn't apply to me, as I was a renewing customer, wanted me pay almost twice as much.
I proceeded to tell them to cancel my subscription.
Sorry, Martha--you're not THAT good.
2-02-2009 @ 9:48PM
DOG said...
HEY.........MOLLY 6 , use your off button, that is what it is for.
2-02-2009 @ 10:15PM
rosi said...
Martha Stewart is one of only two women in America that I admire. Unlike the portly black lady who gets tons of daily
"press" for doing nothing but babbling on TV, Martha used her brain to get where she is today. Her smarts made her the Icon she is today. And I hope her mag and all she touches continues to shine like Gold---You Keep Truckin Martha!!!
2-02-2009 @ 10:25PM
Elaine said...
Martha has lost readers because she has gone anti-Christian. She made her name with Christmas books, now she won't even use the word "Christmas" on the cover of her magazine. She use to show nativities in her old books - not any more. She has ramped up halloween and has turned Easter into eggs, bunnies and baskets. She had better show respect for the cultural way of life of the people who support her, or many more shall walk away.
2-02-2009 @ 11:13PM
Amanda Jane said...
Thank goodness! Now we just have to get rid of her over priced line of crap!
2-03-2009 @ 12:22AM
ROB said...
Too much advertising and not enough stories and this is becoming the norm in our phones, our tv and our magazines.