VIBE Mag Is Done...R.I.P.

One_Yaself_Hater · 06-30-2009, 04:43 PM

EDIT: Real Last VIBE Cover...

Here is the final cover of VIBE magazine, and from what I'm told, it will not be available on newsstands. After the jump, read the official statement from former CEO, Steve Aaron and former CCO/Editor-In-Chief, Danyel Smith.

Dear VIBE Team:

It is with a heavy heart that I share some tough news, VMG is closing down effective today, June 30th.

It’s been an 16 incredible years since VIBE’s inception. There are very few magazines with the richness of history and breadth of talented visionaries who created the powerful lens in which VIBE viewed and shaped urban music and culture.

Ever since I first set foot in this courageous company, I’ve regarded myself as incredibly fortunate to be be involved with this remarkable brand and group of individuals whose performance has never been nothing short of outstanding. We finished 2008 in an improved position versus the prior year, and accomplished so much, including:

* Editorial Awards
* Editorial transformation into content dept
* New Ad accounts being broken
* The Most Mag Launch
* Award winning re-design
* Profitable digital operation
* VIBE.com growth and improvements and programs such as Best Rapper Ever, #1 Stan, etc
* Mobile VIBE launch
* Micro-site development Mostmag.com to start off.
* V Sessions
* Improved PR coverage

Unfortunately, over the last several months, a confluence of events has obviously posed VMG to exceedingly serious challenges.

* The collapse of the capital markets has impacted us greatly. Over the past several months, we have actively pursued investment resources while working intensively with our bank to find a solution. But the deal market right now remains very poor and at the end of the day, the lack of investment resources to restructure the huge debt on our small company has made this outcome become a reality.

* The print advertising collapse hit VIBE hard, especially as key ad categories like automotive and fashion, which represented the bulk of our top 10 advertisers, have stopped advertising or gone out of business. It’s also unfortunate that in a recession many companies reduce the multi-cultural campaigns. These facts, coupled with the continuing decline of the music industry not to mention the newsstand wholesaler consolidation in early 2009 all negatively impacted our business in a significant way.

* The relentless economic situation has depressed our growth initiatives on the digital front. To be clear, VMG has made significant improvement in this part of our business, but not at the accelerated pace required to offset the devastating effects of the most severe recession in our lifetime and the accompanying print losses.

I want to thank you all for your hard work and commitment, and for all of the adventures along the way. I’ll miss this place a lot, but I’ll miss you all and the magic you create.

Vibe will be remembered as a shockingly brilliant content company that everyone can be proud of and I look forward with great excitement to all of future endeavors you all pursue.

With great affection and respect –

Steve Aaron

former CEO of VIBE Media Group

On behalf the VIBE CONTENT staff (the best in this business), it is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today. We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news. It’s a tragic week in overall, but as the doors of VIBE Media Group close, on the eve of the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary, it’s a sad day for music, for hip hop in particular, and for the millions of readers and users who have loved and who continue to love the VIBE brand. We thank you, we have served you with joy, pride and excellence, and we will miss you. —Danyel Smith

Source:

craze189 · 06-30-2009, 05:09 PM

Print media cant keep up with internet. Sad, though.

Tornadoes · 06-30-2009, 05:13 PM

The Source will fall next.

Percival · 06-30-2009, 05:15 PM

Too bad, VIBE was a cool magazine.

SP3unit · 06-30-2009, 05:54 PM

Lol the only thing in the vide magazine thats worth reading is the last page cos thats where they list some joke rumours and comparisons etc. The rest is just advertisement and horrible interviews. I wouldn't even call it a hip-hop magazine, it just makes it as an urban mag.

But the truth is even xxl magazine is gonna go bust in the near future just like every other mag out there. Why spend money on anything when you can get the shit for free up in these forums.

Drewshady17 · 06-30-2009, 07:28 PM

I have a subscription to Vibe and to me its not a bad magazine its a real shame that its going under.They didn't even get to print a a last issue are you sure that Eminem cover is the last one.

One_Yaself_Hater · 06-30-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drewshady17

I have a subscription to Vibe and to me its not a bad magazine its a real shame that its going under.They didn't even get to print a a last issue are you sure that Eminem cover is the last one.

EDIT: Here Is The Right "Last" Cover....

moneyz1 · 06-30-2009, 09:15 PM

dam this was the shit growing up sad to see it go

Shyne · 06-30-2009, 10:55 PM

meh, Magazine got really wack over the last few years, more ads then articles. not really all too sad to see this one go

Nokster · 06-30-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyne

meh, Magazine got really wack over the last few years, more ads then articles. not really all too sad to see this one go

Word to my ninja.

Da Real Deal · 07-01-2009, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shyne

meh, Magazine got really wack over the last few years, more ads then articles. not really all too sad to see this one go

^^^^^^^^^^^^

GMNRecordsCT3 · 07-01-2009, 01:28 PM

if XXL keeps fukin up they goin out too...

06-30-2009, 05:09 PM	#2
craze189 craze Join Date: May 2005 Location: Newark, NJ Posts: 2,172 Repped: 265 Repped 220 Times in 45 Posts Neg Reps: 8 Neg Repped at 10 Times in 8 Posts	Print media cant keep up with internet. Sad, though. __________________ Shittin' On 'Em, Your Brother Got It Covered/ We Could Slug Or Knuckle It, However You Want It/ I Love It!!! - Nas from "Topless" off Detox

06-30-2009, 05:13 PM	#3
Tornadoes Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Left Coast Posts: 201 Repped: 14 Repped 46 Times in 30 Posts Neg Reps: 11 Neg Repped at 35 Times in 22 Posts	The Source will fall next. __________________ My Word is Born!

06-30-2009, 10:55 PM	#9
Shyne Sons Of Liberty Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 5,552 Repped: 3 Repped 2,054 Times in 849 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 151 Times in 95 Posts	meh, Magazine got really wack over the last few years, more ads then articles. not really all too sad to see this one go __________________ myspace.com/vocabthemc http://coldglassofoj.blogspot.com

07-01-2009, 01:28 PM	#12
GMNRecordsCT3 Macaroni wit the Cheeesse Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wash Heights, NYC Posts: 17,607 Repped: 6,779 Repped 2,309 Times in 618 Posts Neg Reps: 202 Neg Repped at 50 Times in 40 Posts	if XXL keeps fukin up they goin out too... __________________ myspace.com/bummydavis - soundclick.com/gmnproductions "The name on my car insurance is YOUR FUKIN FAULT!!"

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06-30-2009, 04:43 PM	#1
One_Yaself_Hater The "B-Boy" Circa '82-'88 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In A Weed Spot!!! Posts: 5,757 Repped: 1,173 Repped 11,539 Times in 1,360 Posts Neg Reps: 148 Neg Repped at 107 Times in 98 Posts	VIBE Mag Is Done...R.I.P. VIBE Mag Is Done...R.I.P. EDIT: Real Last VIBE Cover... Here is the final cover of VIBE magazine, and from what I'm told, it will not be available on newsstands. After the jump, read the official statement from former CEO, Steve Aaron and former CCO/Editor-In-Chief, Danyel Smith. Dear VIBE Team: It is with a heavy heart that I share some tough news, VMG is closing down effective today, June 30th. It’s been an 16 incredible years since VIBE’s inception. There are very few magazines with the richness of history and breadth of talented visionaries who created the powerful lens in which VIBE viewed and shaped urban music and culture. Ever since I first set foot in this courageous company, I’ve regarded myself as incredibly fortunate to be be involved with this remarkable brand and group of individuals whose performance has never been nothing short of outstanding. We finished 2008 in an improved position versus the prior year, and accomplished so much, including: * Editorial Awards * Editorial transformation into content dept * New Ad accounts being broken * The Most Mag Launch * Award winning re-design * Profitable digital operation * VIBE.com growth and improvements and programs such as Best Rapper Ever, #1 Stan, etc * Mobile VIBE launch * Micro-site development Mostmag.com to start off. * V Sessions * Improved PR coverage Unfortunately, over the last several months, a confluence of events has obviously posed VMG to exceedingly serious challenges. * The collapse of the capital markets has impacted us greatly. Over the past several months, we have actively pursued investment resources while working intensively with our bank to find a solution. But the deal market right now remains very poor and at the end of the day, the lack of investment resources to restructure the huge debt on our small company has made this outcome become a reality. * The print advertising collapse hit VIBE hard, especially as key ad categories like automotive and fashion, which represented the bulk of our top 10 advertisers, have stopped advertising or gone out of business. It’s also unfortunate that in a recession many companies reduce the multi-cultural campaigns. These facts, coupled with the continuing decline of the music industry not to mention the newsstand wholesaler consolidation in early 2009 all negatively impacted our business in a significant way. * The relentless economic situation has depressed our growth initiatives on the digital front. To be clear, VMG has made significant improvement in this part of our business, but not at the accelerated pace required to offset the devastating effects of the most severe recession in our lifetime and the accompanying print losses. I want to thank you all for your hard work and commitment, and for all of the adventures along the way. I’ll miss this place a lot, but I’ll miss you all and the magic you create. Vibe will be remembered as a shockingly brilliant content company that everyone can be proud of and I look forward with great excitement to all of future endeavors you all pursue. With great affection and respect – Steve Aaron former CEO of VIBE Media Group On behalf the VIBE CONTENT staff (the best in this business), it is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today. We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news. It’s a tragic week in overall, but as the doors of VIBE Media Group close, on the eve of the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary, it’s a sad day for music, for hip hop in particular, and for the millions of readers and users who have loved and who continue to love the VIBE brand. We thank you, we have served you with joy, pride and excellence, and we will miss you. —Danyel Smith Source: __________________ "REP" or "No PROPS" DONT PUT FOOD ON MY TABLE, FUCK 'EM!!!!!! SO "REP" If U WANT, IDGAF!!! DiGiJeff (12-17-2008), J-Banks Thanked Post HAPPY BIRTHDAY One_Yaself_Hater !!!-HH411: "instead of hittin 'no props' button i'll just neg ya". - Gods Plan Last edited by One_Yaself_Hater; 06-30-2009 at 08:34 PM.

06-30-2009, 05:15 PM	#4
Percival Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wherever you do. Posts: 7 Repped: 0 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Too bad, VIBE was a cool magazine.

06-30-2009, 05:54 PM	#5
SP3unit Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,216 Repped: 128 Repped 197 Times in 117 Posts Neg Reps: 43 Neg Repped at 50 Times in 40 Posts	Lol the only thing in the vide magazine thats worth reading is the last page cos thats where they list some joke rumours and comparisons etc. The rest is just advertisement and horrible interviews. I wouldn't even call it a hip-hop magazine, it just makes it as an urban mag. But the truth is even xxl magazine is gonna go bust in the near future just like every other mag out there. Why spend money on anything when you can get the shit for free up in these forums.

06-30-2009, 07:28 PM	#6
Drewshady17 Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,001 Repped: 295 Repped 347 Times in 71 Posts Neg Reps: 4 Neg Repped at 16 Times in 12 Posts	I have a subscription to Vibe and to me its not a bad magazine its a real shame that its going under.They didn't even get to print a a last issue are you sure that Eminem cover is the last one.

06-30-2009, 09:15 PM	#8
moneyz1 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: bostom Posts: 131 Repped: 0 Repped 12 Times in 9 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 12 Times in 8 Posts	dam this was the shit growing up sad to see it go