SKATEBOARDER MAGAZINE CHANGES THE GAME WITH INNOVATIVE DIGITAL-FIRST PLATFORM
The Original Skateboard Magazine Launches Free Digital Magazine for Web and Tablet, Scraps Subscription-Based Print Mag for Collectible Specialty Retail-Only Magazine and Creates Unique Web-Centric Content Hub
GrindMedia, the nation’s leading action and adventure sports media company, announces SKATEBOARDER Magazine’s innovative new digital-first content platform driven by the launch of its new, free, online video-based magazine and web-centric content platform. Nearly 50 years after SKATEBOARDER Magazine debuted the world’s first skateboarding publication, the pioneer is again changing the game by creating content platforms suited for today’s skate audience.
“SKATEBOARDER Magazine is the original voice of skateboarding and with this new way of gathering and delivering our content, it will ensure that we reach more readers through multiple delivery channels on a global scale,” said SKATEBOARDER Publisher Jamey Stone. “Whether it be our website, iPad/iPhone apps or print, SKATEBOARDER will be everywhere skateboarders live.”
The new digital SKATEBOARDER will have the ability to bring skateboarding to life like hasn’t been done before while maintaining the feature-focused capabilities that have been the hallmark of SKATEBOARDER’S print editorial. Features such as photo sequences, videos and advertising will become more dynamic and interactive. “Buy now” links will take the consumer directly to online retailers, enabling instant purchase capabilities for brands and consumers, while interactive social media feeds will refresh up-to-the-minute. Ultimately, the digital issue combines the interactivity and reach of digital with the storytelling of print.
“This audience lives online, so it was necessary for us to create content platforms that meet their needs and bring them the unique editorial voice of SKATEBOARDER in an expanded digital format,” said GrindMedia Senior Vice President Norb Garrett. “By making the digital issue free and accessible to all skateboarders worldwide through our website and digital newsstands, we are expanding our content reach with the goal of engaging a greater skate audience. Over the past year, our website traffic has grown 180 percent due to our investment in proprietary video platforms and expanded editorial, reinforcing our view that this audience demands more of a digital focus.”
While the website and digital issue drive the digital interaction with the audience, SKATEBOARDER will produce a limited-edition collectible magazine six times per year available ONLY at skateboard retail shops. The new horizontal landscape format (think the size of an iPad screen at 10.25 inches by 7.5 inches), will be available for $5.99 in conjunction with each digital release. The print magazine will allow for collectability and provide exclusive content and extra photos beyond the digital version. SKATEBOARDER will no longer produce a traditional subscription-based print magazine.
“We are very excited with SKATEBOARDER’s plans to launch a new digital version of the magazine,” said Steve Stratton, Director of Skateboarding, Volcom. “This will allow them to take their unique content to a much broader global audience with no subscriber cost to the viewer. We are also excited they will continue to deliver print through core retail outlets with a new high-quality product that will showcase the amazing photos and articles that the SKATEBOARDER staff is known for producing.”
“SKATEBOARDER Magazine has a rich history of showcasing some of the most iconic skaters, tricks and locations that have defined skateboarding since it’s birth,” said SKATEBOARDER Editor Jaime Owens. “We are excited about continuing that experience for our readers in this new digital format to expand our reach and to get as many people as possible to see how much we love skateboarding, while still offering a print version for the collectors distributed strictly to skate shops. We live and breathe skateboarding. Nothing’s changed there. It’s all about looking forward while never forgetting our past.”
Download the FREE app for the new digital SKATEBOARDER Magazine, available today at skateboardermag.com and Apple digital newsstands.
About GrindMedia
Source Interlink Media¹s GrindMedia is home to renowned action and adventure sports magazine brands Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Powder, Bike, Canoe & Kayak, SUP-Standup Paddler, Dirt Rider, ATV Rider, and Paved. Along with our standalone websites, including GrindTV.com, Newschoolers and Motocross.com, GrindMedia is the leading provider of print and online action sports and entertainment content in the United States. Delivering significant reach across both action sports enthusiast and various in-market consumer audiences, GrindMedia produces more than 20 leading events and webcasts such as Surfer Poll Awards, Powder Video Awards, Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, EnduroCross and International Surfing Day. GrindMedia is also the exclusive action and adventure sports content provider for Yahoo! Sports. To learn more, visit grindmedia.com.
About SKATEBOARDER
SKATEBOARDER Magazine is for skaters by skaters and plays a vital role in skateboarding’s past, present and future. Founded in 1964, SKATEBOARDER has a profound history and deep roots in the sport, but still maintains a fresh and relevant look into the ever-changing world of skateboarding; reflecting on its evolution, while pushing along with its progression. SKATEBOARDER Magazine is part of GrindMedia, the leading action/adventure/lifestyle media company that reaches more than 20 million active sports enthusiasts per month through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events and television programming. For more information, visit skateboardermag.com.