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What
... Sci-Fi? Now?
You may remember a while ago we pointed out the odd situation that
so many large print SF magazines had failed to grasp the web - not
even launching a lousy marketing web site.
Well guess what, someone must have been listening!
Step forward Sovereign Media staffers, who have finally got off
their large rears to announces the launch of SciFiNow.com
- a fusion of their two print magazines SCI FI and Realms
of Fantasy.
Combining the print content of both Sovereign Magazines titles,
SCI FI and Realms of Fantasy, the site will also publish regular
online-only articles on a variety of science fiction- and fantasy-related
topics.
"Scifi-Now will be the premiere content-related website for the
science fiction and fantasy community," boasted Mark Hintz,their
publisher.
Yeah. Like, we haven't heard that one before.
"Content-related is key," said Mr. Hintz. "Our sci-fi and fantasy
magazines generate huge amounts of very timely, informational content
on every aspect of sci-fi and fantasy, from the literary, to film,
game, website and TV reviews.
We feel we can give the sci-fi & fantasy fan more to sink their
teeth into than any other sci-fi/fantasy website in existence."
Content is the key, huh? Well, they got that right. Let's hope
they believe it - and this isn't something they just read in this
month's Wired.
Paul T. Riddell, who is the editor of the website, said "In addition
to fiction and features from our magazines, we plan to offer a considerable
amount of web-only material, focusing on all aspects of the science
fiction and fantasy industry. I've argued for years that this genre
needed a Steve Irwin," (referring to the enthusiastic host of the
Australian nature series The Crocodile Hunter), "and I guess
I just got drafted."
Paul T. Riddell is a writer and essayist specializing in science
fiction currently based in Dallas, Texas. Riddell currently contributes
the "Rant" column in the print edition of SCI FI, as well as other
articles.
Last time we checked, Paul's previous work is currently archived
at hpoo.com.
In future months, Sovereign Media claim they will expand upon the
articles and reviews already published in both magazines, including
additional articles and commentary on upcoming genre films and television
programs, book and DVD reviews, interviews, and international reports.
The site will also feature regular online-only articles intended
for both longtime science fiction and fantasy fans as well as for
newcomers who have an interest in the genre but have no idea where
to start.
"Increasingly, our advertisers are interested in reaching our readers
across multiple media," said Joe Varda, VP for the company's Advertising
gonks. "We will offer advertising packages involving multiple
media, including ad pages in the magazines and promotions on our
special-interest websites."
Web developers for the project will be Margin Point.
"Commerce on the web is increasing exponentially each year," said
Ed Joella, president of Margin Point. "We're going to help Sovereign
take advantage of that. We feel that Sovereign's highly targeted
magazines will generate huge traffic on their websites. Sovereign
can benefit substantially from ancillary product sales tailor made
to the interests of their readers."
Hmmm. Well, this all sounds very good, but the proof of the pudding
will be in the eating.
For starters they're coming to the party six years late. Secondly,
the web is about to change into much more of a multimedia experience.
Will they be getting real with Real, or funky with Flash?
Sadly, we suspect the Sci-fi Channel may be the true inheritors
of this SF Earth.
Make your own mind up by visiting their new operation over at http://www.scifinow.com
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