Kedwards remix: As this weblog has steered clear of political comments (except for that Bush blogging thing), we have no idea why the person who slapped together created this Kerry-Edwards video remix asked us to share it with the world. However, we owe him one, so here it is (Quicktime 1.3 MB).

Later: Yet another Kedwards remix to Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”

Realistic expectations: With all the recent news about inflated circulation, it is refreshing to read the following quote in an article about a free business magazine that now plans to charge for subscriptions:

(Publisher Mike) Pate said there is no circulation goal for the publication to reach now that it offers subscriptions.
“The goal is not to grow circulation,” said Pate. “This is a niche market publication, and our goal is to make sure we’re serving the market.”

This weblog agrees: If the goal is not to grow circulation, selling subscriptions to a free magazine is a great strategy.

Church lady protests: While we typically limit our linking to North American magazine news, we couldn’t resist noting one of the greatest magazine-related headlines we’ve ever seen, “Editors deny magazine is pro-satan.”

And no. This has nothing to do with the previous post.

Was being Young foolish? Daniel J. Vargas of the Houston Chronicle “covers” the new Abercrombie & Fitch customer magazine, now called A&F Magazine, but called Young last issue. Yes, we’re confused also.

Quote:

…not a bare bum or breast is exposed on its 63 pages. A little pelvic-bone flashing, yes. Bare-chested men, yes. Models on their hands and knees in the high grass, yes. But no gratuitous nudity or group situations of a sexual nature. Still, not everyone is satisfied with the sanitized version. Phil Burress, president of Cincinnati-based Citizens for Community Values, a vocal critic of the clothing store chain’s marketing campaigns, says the company is headed in the right direction by cleaning up its publications, but asserts that A&F is missing the larger message. “From a pictoral standpoint and message standpoint, it’s much toned down,” he says. “But they still don’t get it. They’re still using sex to sell their product, and when you do that, you’re polluting an entire generation.” Burress, who sees the magazine because his stepdaughter is on A&F’s mailing list, says some of the pictures and clothing in the magazine give impressionable young minds a warped view on how they’re supposed to look and act. “I still charge A&F for not caring about the next generation,” Burress says.

As this weblog has no such lame excuse for actually getting the magazine mailed to its house, we’ll have to take Burress’ word on it. However, we really do love the Houston Chronicle’s wry wit for assigning someone named Vargas to do this story.

Good news for Nashville: We pause now from our magazine news links to say congratulations to the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for convincing one of this blog’s readers and closest friends to join its senior executive ranks.

Quote:

(David Ewing) will oversee Chamber programs and initiatives in five areas, including education, regional transportation infrastructure, cultural diversity, downtown issues and government advocacy. “David’s considerable experience and vast connections throughout the community make him an ideal candidate to manage these key strategic areas of the Nashville Chamber,” said Chamber President & CEO Mike Neal.

(Displaying tremendous restraint, this weblog has overcome its desire to end this post with an inside joke related to a certain drugstore chain.) Congratulations, David…and Nashville.