The media landscape is constantly evolving, and even iconic publications are adapting to the digital age. For fans of home decor, cooking, and lifestyle inspiration, the question “What Was The Last Print Issue Of Martha Stewart Living?” has become increasingly relevant. This article delves into the details surrounding the end of Martha Stewart Living’s print run and what it signifies for the brand and its audience.
In a move signaling a continued shift towards digital media, Dotdash Meredith announced the end of the print edition of Martha Stewart Living magazine. This decision, revealed in an internal email to employees in April of 2022, marked the end of an era for the beloved lifestyle publication in its physical format. The final print issue was confirmed to be the May 2022 edition of Martha Stewart Living.
The announcement, delivered by Chief Business Officer Alysia Borsa, emphasized the company’s strategic pivot towards the digital realm. The focus would now be squarely on expanding the brand’s online presence through marthastewart.com. Borsa stated in her email that Dotdash Meredith was “as enthusiastic as ever for the digital potential of the brand and will focus our full attention on growing the digital business.” This statement underscored the belief that the future of Martha Stewart Living lay in its digital platforms rather than traditional print media.
This decision impacted approximately 20 employees based in New York City, although details regarding the exact nature of this impact were not immediately disclosed. However, it was clarified that the Des Moines office of Dotdash Meredith would not experience layoffs as a result of this change.
The discontinuation of Martha Stewart Living‘s print edition is part of a broader trend within Dotdash Meredith. It joined a list of other titles that had already ceased print publication earlier in 2022, including EatingWell, Entertainment Weekly, Health, InStyle, Parents, and People en Español. These prior print closures had already resulted in around 200 job losses, highlighting the significant shift in the company’s operational strategy.
This strategic realignment is largely attributed to Dotdash Meredith’s parent company, IAC/Interactive Corp., and their $2.7 billion acquisition of Meredith Corporation in December 2021. Dotdash, known for its digital-first approach since its inception as About.com, now leads the direction for the formerly print-centric Meredith publications. The overarching goal is to transition away from the costs associated with print production and capitalize on the growing advertising revenue potential of their online platforms.
Martha Stewart Living has a rich history in the magazine world. Launched by Time Inc. in 1990 with Martha Stewart herself at the helm as editor-in-chief, it quickly became a cornerstone of lifestyle publishing. In 1996, Stewart solidified her control over the brand by forming Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and purchasing the magazine, along with other assets, from Time for $30 million. Prior to Dotdash Meredith’s acquisition, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia had entered into a 10-year distribution agreement with Meredith in 2014, granting Meredith control over crucial aspects like sales, marketing, circulation, and production. Despite its established presence and a substantial subscriber base of approximately 2 million as of the previous year, the print edition ultimately succumbed to the prevailing digital winds.
Neil Fiske, CEO of Marquee Brands, which owns Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, publicly acknowledged the end of the print edition, echoing the sentiment of adapting to the evolving media landscape. He stated, “The media landscape is evolving so quickly, and Martha has always been at the forefront of innovation and change. We are excited to partner with her as we enter this next chapter where Martha will bring her unmatched authority, unstoppable energy, and creativity into more modern digital formats.”
Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel had previously hinted at the potential cessation of Martha Stewart Living‘s print edition at a BMO Digital Advertising Summit in early March 2022. His omission of the title from a list of magazines earmarked for continued print production was an early indication of the direction things were heading. While clarifying that publications like Successful Farming, Midwest Living, and REAL SIMPLE would maintain their print versions, Martha Stewart Living was notably absent from this list.
Neil Vogel’s success in transforming About.com into a digital powerhouse after being appointed by IAC chairman Barry Diller underscores the company’s confidence in the digital-first model. His strategy of breaking down content into topic-specific verticals optimized for search engine visibility has been instrumental in driving online traffic and revenue. This approach is now being applied to the legacy Meredith publications, signaling a fundamental shift in how these brands will operate moving forward.
In conclusion, for those seeking to know “what was the last print issue of Martha Stewart Living?”, the answer is the May 2022 edition. This marked the end of the magazine’s print journey and the beginning of its exclusive focus on digital platforms. While the tactile experience of the print magazine will be missed by some, the Martha Stewart Living brand continues to thrive online, providing its signature lifestyle content to a broad audience in the digital age.
