Today Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), announced JET magazine is transitioning to a digital magazine app at the end of June to adapt to the changing needs of its readers as their desire to get information quickly and easily increases.
“The new digital JET, which launches on June 30, allows us to go back to our roots. In 1951, Mr. Johnson created a digest-sized [publication] you could put in your purse or your back pocket for 15 cents that talked about the news, the activities and issues of celebrities in the African American community,” shared Desiree Rogers, CEO of JPC, in a telephone interview today. “We are going back to a weekly format so we will be able to do the same thing he did for that point in time.”
JET, the number three magazine in the African-American market, with a rate base of 700,000, started as a publication for black Americans to get weekly news on issues central to their community in a quick and easy to read format.
Rogers continues, “It is going to be a quick read, 3-D photography and we will have interviews. We will literally bring the magazine to life. This is just one example. In our Love section, you may see just one photo of a couple. In our new publication, you might be able to feel like you’re at the wedding. Right now we see a flat picture of the Beauty of the Week, maybe she will move around and you get to see a 360-view of the Beauty of the Week.”
According to a press statement, the new weekly digital magazine app will leverage a variety of storytelling tactics, including video interviews and enhanced digital maps. Breaking news will be updated daily. The app will be available on all tablet devices and mobile platforms. In addition, JET will publish an annual special print edition.
The final weekly print edition, the June 23 issue, will hit newsstands on June 2.
Listen to the entire exclusive audio interview for more details.
