Thursday, September 28, 2017
 

The latest issue of Sports Illustrated has gotten into politics.   I give SI credit for not shying away from controversy…controversy typically helps sell magazines.  Therefore, it deserves to be the Cover of the Week. However, I’m just not sure the gamble is going to pay off for Sports Illustrated this time on newsstands, in the USA, although it probably will here in Canada.

 

Courting controversy comes with risk.  I guess SI doesn’t care that ESPN’s ratings have been cratering as they have become increasingly embroiled in politics.  And that NFL ratings have been tanking too, starting last year when Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49rs, started his personal “protest” by not standing for the flag and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.  (Note 1:  Colin was protesting racial injustice in the USA, in case you missed that part). (Note 2:  The First Amendment enshrines and protects his right to Free Speech).  (Note 3:  The NFL’s Official Operations Manual strictly prescribes what is required of all players with respect to the National Anthem…and it requires standing).
 

Here’s what the game operations manual says regarding the national anthem:

“The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.” So far, there has been no “discipline, such as fines, suspensions and/or the forfeiture of draft choices for violations.”
 

Things weren’t going well for Colin last year, who earned $14 million dollars (that part is good) but whose team ended the 2016 season in last place in the NFC West, with just 2 wins and 14 losses (not so good).  He then opted out of the last year of his contract (not too smart), to become a free agent.  And like Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays, Colin discovered that there were no takers.   The problem for Colin was that, unlike the Blue Jays, San Francisco didn’t take him back.
 

Spike Lee (Film Maker) waded into it, claiming all the NFL owners were racists and cowards for not offering Colin a job.  Since Spike has never played, or coached, or owned a football team, most people ignored him. But then things got better for Colin (and Spike), when Donald Trump decided to make an issue out of it at a recent pep rally in Alabama. Now, all hell has broken loose. It’s gotten very entertaining indeed.
 

 

Negative reaction to the cover came swiftly, from both sides of the debate. Twitter lit up , many complaining: Why is Colin Kaepernick not on the cover?  Good question.  Which forced SI to come out with a video to defend the cover. 
See URL below:

https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/video/2017/09/26/sports-illustrated-sports-united-cover-explanation

If you listen to the interview with Executive Editor Steve Canella, apparently, Colin is on the cover even though he is not.  “Even though his picture isn’t there, Colin Kaepernick is there.” Really?  I see LeBron James (NBA).   I see Steph Curry (NBA).   I see Roger Goodell (NFL Comish) , who has been harshly criticized for not supporting the protest in the league he runs. Perhaps the sad truth is:  Sports Illustrated didn’t have the guts to put Colin on the cover.

 

 
Thursday, September 28, 2017
 

The October 2017 issue of Vanity Fair is the Cover of the Week.


For fans of the popular Netflix show Suits, this cover will be irresistible.  Ditto for Royal Family addicts.  The local Toronto actress is sure to help them sell lots of magazines.

And a tip of the cap to Graydon Carter, Editor, who announced his retirement.  Congratulations on a remarkable career.
 

 


 

 
Thursday, September 28, 2017
 

On Sunday, September 17th, Jenn Wenner announced that he was putting his remaining shares in the iconic American brand RollingStone up for sale.  Then, on Tuesday, September 19th, an Appeals Court, overturned a lower court ruling, regarding the infamous Rape On Campus story.  


According to the NY Times:On Tuesday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Manhattan ruled that a lower court had erred in dismissing a defamation lawsuit filed by three former members of the fraternity at the center of the 2014 article. In the earlier decision, a judge ruled that the three men — George Elias IV, Ross Fowler and Stephen Hadford — had not shown that the article was “of and concerning” them personally, apart from the fraternity…But in their decision, a panel of appellate judges wrote that “while it is a close call,” the district judge was incorrect when it came to two of the men, Mr. Elias and Mr. Fowler, and sent the case back to the district court for further proceedings.

 

If you have been following the story, RollingStone has already been forced to settle two other cases as a result of the Fake News story, resulting in payouts of nearly $5 million dollars.  And imagine the legal expenses that were incurred over the years fighting a losing battle.  Columbia Review of Journalism completely debunked the story.  And now RollingStone is facing additional costs to defend themselves in two more defamation suits brought by the Fraternity brothers who were implicated by the article.
 

There has been much speculation that the costs involved in this case led to the earlier sale of a minority stake in RollingStone.  perhaps contributed to Wenner’s decision to put the remaining shares up for sale.  Selling this damaged and bleeding brand will certainly be complicated by the revival of these defamation suits.
 

Here’s a toast to all the Fact Checkers of the world.

 
Thursday, September 28, 2017

The Nov/Dec issue of Canadian Real Estate Wealth has been revealed. And it’s scheduled to hit newsstands on October 9th. Art Director Alicia Chin has created an energetic cover with an incredibly bold and aggressive type treatment.
 

Bold type treatments have worked for this publication. Especially when combined with a benefit-oriented sell thrust, a big number to quantify the value proposition, and vibrant colors. Sky bar and starburst elements in red help direct the eye down the page and triangulate nicely.
 

 
 
Friday, September 15, 2017
 

The October 2017 issue of the Walrus is the Cover of the Week. This grainy black and white cover shot, of what appears to be a terrified and desperate soul fleeing the United States, is compelling.
 

The headline Escaping America…is Canada really a safe haven?

i
s emotionally charged. The image and the words work in tandem extremely effectively. The Walrus clearly understands it’s American-hating audience and how to motivate them to action. The cover feature is lengthy and well written, a good read.
 

 
 
About Me
Scott Bullock

 
Scott Bullock is the the creator of Coverssell.com. Bullock has worked as circulation director for both consumer and B2B magazines including Toronto Life and FASHION. If you have a great cover to share, please send all submissions to 
scottbullock(at)rogers(dot)com

Note to readers: some of Bullock's posts may refer to his clients.
Most Recent Blog Comment
Kelly says:
Any news on how it performed on newsstands?...
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