Vibe Magazine Closes its Doors

We aren't surprised by this latest scenario. It was just a matter of time before Vibe along with other music industry outlets closed its doors. The main reason is because these entities are too closely aligned to the music industry.

For years Vibe and so many other music magazines have been subsidized by the record industry. They have in fact become de facto mouth pieces that parrot anything the labels put forth.. That's why all the rags seem to have the same cover stories. They are in synch with record label narratives.
 
Now that labels are failing primarily because they no longer connect with their cosumers in a meaningful, magazine and other 'industry outlets have followed suit. While most people are bemoaning Vibe lets not forget Radio and Records an industry trade publication also closed its doors just one month ago -reason being the labels suck.
 
Solution start with media outlets promising to be bold and to connect to the people and not to the labels. Following the dictates of a crumbling record industry is like asking Alan Greenspan, Phil Gramm or Bernie Madoff to watch your money.

-Southern Shift-

Vibe Magazine Shuts Down

VIBE magazine has shut down.

The magazine was launched in 1993 by music industry legend Quincy Jones and it served as as widely revered urban magazine.

Several sources verified the closing and a message on twitter also indicated the closure. The magazine said, “Thanks for everything.”

A statement is expected to be released by the end of the business on Tuesday.

In the 90’s, VIBE experienced meteoric success as a business and an outlet for urban journalism. It has ailed under the ownership of private equity firm Wicks Group of Companies, AOL reported.

The magazine had seen a dramatic reduction in ad pages and circulation. Earlier this year, employees were put on a four-day workweek and other cuts were made such as scaling back to 10 issues per year.

There is speculation that the magazine will transform into an online-only entity.

Calls for comment were not immediately returned.

source: http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/06/30/21724506.aspx