Us magazine publisher Conde Nast released an iPhone app this week to coincide with the launch of GQ magazine’s man of the year issue. The Daily News has more on this. This issue of GQ is available for US$2.99.
Smart iPhone apps connect publishers directly with new consumers for their product and provide alternative channels for some existing consumers.
The iPhone is an excellent device for reading articles. It provides publisher with an opportunity to repurpose content created for print to a new medium and through this a new revenue stream.
Australian newsagents need to take note of these developments. By being informed we can develop our businesses accordingly. By this I mean we can rinforce the value of the print magazine experience – play to our point of difference. We do this by encouraging browsing, great customer service and adding value through loyalty programs etc. We can also be careful about the range we carry – by being tougher in our dealings with distributors. Our retail network is an asset we need to better leverage.