Ecologist axes print edition
Specialist consumer magazine The Ecologist has become the latest title to close its print version.
The last issue of the magazine, published by wealthy establishment family the Goldsmith’s since 1970, will be the June edition and will appear at the end of May, after which the title will continue online only.
The publisher is claiming that the move to a web-only presence, complete with a full re-launch of the site, is being driven by its eco-conscious desire to reduce its carbon footprint.
However, the move comes at a time when media advertising models are facing the worst funding crash in years as advertisers slash budgets. It also follows the collapse of Bauer Media’s consumer title Arena and Dennis Publishing’s axing of Maxim’s UK print edition.
It is understood The Ecologist, which is not thought to have made a profit for a few years, is consulting with its ten-strong editorial and sales team over changing roles as a result of the online focus.
Online content at ecologist.co.uk is free but archived content could be made available to subscribers only in the future, according to a source familiar with the title.
Publishing director Richard Coles says: “Moving online is a prospective which is current and one which new advertisers will embrace.
“We are currently in the process of consulting staff about the relaunch and any changes involved in the switch to online will be as a result of this.”
