Interesting: Keyboard Mag is gone?

StephenKay · Post by **StephenKay** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:49 pm

Received this email today from NewBay Music Group (publishers of many music-related mags):

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Dear Partners and Friends,

Today we are introducing the new Electronic Musician, a publication uniting the best of Keyboard and Electronic Musician magazines into a single brand to better serve the continued transformation of music and technology.

Led by veteran Editor-in-Chief Gino Robair, the new Electronic Musician will focus on topics from both magazines, as well as adding new insight into how artists and producers use technology to create today’s best music. The content will incorporate techniques and music lessons for recording, producing, and performing musicians with a focus on those who use the keyboard as a primary tool of expression.

Demonstrating a vibrant focus on online growth, both the eMusician.com and KeyboardMag.com websites and newsletters will continue in full force, serving digital audiences with enhanced artist interviews, video, gear reviews, lessons, and more.

Now serving a combined audience reach of more than 700,000, Electronic Musician, eMusician.com, KeyboardMag.com, and associated social communities will define the technology, techniques, and creativity that today’s musicians need to stay on top of their game.
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Wow, I've been reading Keyboard Mag for - like - forever. I actually still have nearly a full set of the first 5 years including the very first issue. Sort of feels sad to hear of its demise...

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:00 pm

I have just read the January issue on my iPad and can't believe what you write. My iPad magazine says I have an active subscription running, and I have not received any news yet. Jerry Kovarsky, I always read your articles: can you drop a word or two on that?

This probably would mean that we would will find some keyboard snippets within Electronic Musician, hardly more: a torso of what once was KeyboardMag. It's really a shame to see things go downhill like that.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 1:38 am

jimknopf wrote:I have just read the January issue on my iPad and can't believe what you write. My iPad magazine says I have an active subscription running, and I have not received any news yet. Jerry Kovarsky, I always read your articles: can you drop a word or two on that?

This probably would mean that we would will find some keyboard snippets within Electronic Musician, hardly more: a torso of what once was KeyboardMag. It's really a shame to see things go downhill like that.

sounds like lack of ad revenue might be the cause. The days of niche magazines relying on subscriber revenue is passing us by. The advertisers might not be seeing much bang for their ad $$. Just my theory. All about the $

Koekepan · Post by **Koekepan** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:03 am

A related issue might be sheer efficiency.

Nothing against either magazine, but you can see how electronic musicianship and keyboard work are closely linked these days, to the point that the distinction can be a little artificial - or conversely, a lot of articles would do just as well in either magazine.

From a strictly editorial perspective, I can see this decision making sense. You still have the online differentiation between the two properties, but you have fewer editors, you can arguably command a higher advertising rate for your print access, while spreading the electronic ads around a bit more

Also, if you combine them, you have to call it something, right? And the electronic musician name has a broader appeal than strictly keyboards, so that's the smart pick in branding terms. Ultimately, while the name is iconic at some level, I would consider the content to see whether or not the change is a bad one.

Give them a chance?

jimknopf · Post by **jimknopf** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:57 pm

I have seen such fusion efforts before, and they never worked fine, normally droppingh the ball more or less in one of the main areas of interest: spending less money is no concept yet. So I'm a bit sceptical.

But you are right to give them a chance: let's see what they come up with.

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 5:18 pm

Before jumping to conclusion....

We need to see some numbers
Sale numbers
And advertisement numbers

Only then we can make conclusions, because in general these decisions are based on financial issues...

spaceman3 · Post by **spaceman3** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 9:02 pm

The upside to the end of KEYBOARD magazine is,
those magazines will be more collectable, or at least to synth players.

Post by **Sharp** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 1:47 pm

I find it difficult to remember the last time I purchased any publication in print format. I'm not into digital subscriptions either given that they still include advertisements in them.

It's not just that though, now information is so easily available daily and for free. A few choice bookmarks gives me all I need to know on a daily basis.

lol.... plus I use Ad-blocker. My goodness, I'm a Marketing Managers worst nightmare.

Sharp.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 1:57 pm

Sharp wrote:I find it difficult to remember the last time I purchased any publication in print format. I'm not into digital subscriptions either given that they still include advertisements in them.

It's not just that though, now information is so easily available daily and for free. A few choice bookmarks gives me all I need to know on a daily basis.

lol.... plus I use Ad-blocker. My goodness, I'm a Marketing Managers worst nightmare.

Sharp.

Even worse cheap. I will read an article from SOS from the magazine rack at Barnes & Noble ( book store/coffee shop chain).

StephenKay · Post by **StephenKay** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:40 pm

Sharp wrote:I find it difficult to remember the last time I purchased any publication in print format.

Agreed. So it's easy to understand why this is happening.
My comment was more along the lines of "feels like the death of another famous music industry figure..."

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 3:09 am

I just received on Friday the February issue of Keyboard. Does anyone think that this too is going to go by the wayside? Like Sharp I do use Ad-blocker but unlike Sharp I actually have magazine subscriptions. I like physical paper products like books and magazines.
I also get keyboard magazine emails/news, etc. I like to read paper more than on a screen and yes I do know that I'm in the minority.

I just hope that the printed version isn't going to die too quickly even though I do know that this is inevitable. The magazine keeps getting thinner and less informative to me.

Sad but true.

Derek Cook · Post by **Derek Cook** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 6:22 am

I go for some digital mags and the digital Daily Telegraph as I travel a lot on business. I'm away now, but had my newspaper in 30 seconds on my iPad when I woke up this morning.

I already have Sound On Sound digital sub, and I just purchased a Keyboard Magazine digital subscription a few months back to see what it was like. So wonder what happens to the sub now?

Looks like a lot of mags are having a hard time. Team Rock recently went bust, so have not had my (paper) Prog magazine. Looks like Future Publishing is taking it back. Hope that one stays afloat as its my main read in the bathroom!! (No pun intended

)

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 11:37 am

i have not received any official notification in my email (i have subscription up to 2018...), but customer care tells i will start receiving Electronic Musician where keyboardmag article should fall

fcoulter · Post by **fcoulter** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 1:59 pm

If true, I'm sad.

I remember getting the vinyl records bound into my magazines all those many years ago.