Has anyone else noticed how many pages in the typical printed magazine are now devoted to product suggestions? It used to be, there were articles and there were ads, and they were obviously separate. Not anymore. I am amazed at how many pages in magazines I used to enjoy are now devoted to products "suggested" by an editor, under the guise of "reporting."
As a reader, I appreciate being informed of genuinely new and superior products, and where to buy them. But some magazines are going too far. "Outside" magazine devotes many pages to new outdoor equipment every month. "Shape" magazine spotlights exercise gear, sports drinks, and fashion/beauty items. This month's "Woman's Day" has an article touting "Made in the US" products in celebration of July 4. Most products are not tested in any way. If you read the captions, the copy sounds just like it came off the company's press release or the product package.
Why were these items selected? Are these actual endorsements from experts? Did someone really test the products or were they simply "placed" on the page because a company paid to put them there? Why not just buy an ad and be more up-front? These phony articles--"The Best Gear This Year," "Beauty Must-Haves for the Summer," etc. are not honest reporting--they're ads that are filling up space where actual journalism should be. Why not use the space for fiction, a photo essay, or reader contributions? Because magazines are losing traditional ad buyers, that's why. It's sad.
Some instances of product placement do not annoy me. Case in point, this recent article in the NYTimes regarding digital shopping in magazines such as "House Beautiful." Digital shopping will be available to those who read certain Hearst magazines in digital form. In essence, by scrolling over items in photos, a reader will be directed to a source where they can purchase the item. Here's the link:
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/publisher-brings-digital-shopping-to-its-magazines/
A typical "House" article includes photographs of gorgeously decorated rooms, and many people go out and purchase this magazine simply for ideas on how to replicate that decor in their own homes, or for images of finished projects that inspire them. In these photos, the product being touted is actually used in a real setting, with real results, not simply spotlighted on a page with random other products. I actually like the ideas in this article.
I feel compelled to point out, not all magazines are so blatant with their product placements. When you compare "Backpacker" magazine to "Outside," it's clear that 80% of BP's content is useful. Trail information, recipes for food to take on a hike, and tips for finding the best places to be depending on time of the year, etc. When BP reviews products, they test them, and say as much.
Other mags I get, such as "Organic Gardening," and "Birds and Blooms" provide supplier information in genuine context. The products are suggested because they fill a specific need, often requested by a reader (for example, "I need a compact compost bin for a small garden. Any ideas?").
Anyhow, this is just a pet peeve of mine. Some publications take me a good week to digest, they're so full of great information. Others end up in the recycling bin after an hour.
The next time you are sitting in a doctor's or dentist's waiting room, take a look at the magazines in front of you. Count how many pages are simply there to get you to buy things, vs. actual content, such as recipes, honest product reviews, or truly helpful information.
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