Nine magazine

niNe. magazine logo, 2005 to present

niNe. magazine is a publication aimed at teenage girls. The magazine is a production of Nine Magazine, Inc., a 501(c)3, non-profit organization established in 2005. In an initial publication run, the magazine reached a circulation of 20,000 with a subscriber-base throughout 43 states (and the District of Columbia) and four Canadian provinces.

History

Nine Magazine, Inc. was formed in Colorado by Melinda Laging and Louise Wo.^[1] While attending the University of Colorado-Boulder,^[2] Laging and Wo sought to present a magazine spotlighting current issues and interests affecting youth. Following graduation, the pair organized a board of directors and established the framework of the publication. The mission of niNe. magazine is to advocate strong principles, good character and high self-esteem for teenage girls, while still maintaining focus on their interests and desires.^[3]

With the economic conditions of the late 2000s,^[4] Nine Magazine, Inc. began restructuring to improve upon its initial platform^[5] for a return to publishing content through a renovated online interface. The new version will focus on consolidating media, new content and interactive forums for its audience.

Etymology

The niNe. title stands for nine characteristics the founders believe lead to a quality life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.^[6] The capitalized N is intended to draw attention to the reader's inner world, to promote inner beauty and faith in one's self.^[7]

Content philosophy

Current media outlets focus on entertaining, selling and engaging an audience through content that is in the interest of the outlet rather than the audience.^[8] In focusing on both everyday topics and weighty issues niNe. magazine does not photoshop blemishes or serve up the latest celebrity gossip. Addressing the facts of important issues head-on, the magazine can dedicate its pages to promoting self-esteem, volunteerism, philanthropy, positive journalism and literacy for adolescent girls.^[9] The creators of niNe. magazine use this direct and unabashed approach to educate its audience and reconstruct the manner in which media communicates to a youth-oriented audience.^[10] This philosophy engages the audience in the discussion of a topic without having conflicting messages in its advertising.^[11] As a non-profit organization, the magazine controls its advertising content. This allows its producers the ability to maintain the mission and vision of the publication by restricting advertising content that may mix messages with the content of the magazine.^[12] niNe. avoids advertisements that demean women or young girls, instead it seeks out advertisers that reinforce the beauty, intelligence, worth and strength of women.^[13]

Subjects and topics

Bethany Hamilton cover, June/July 2006

Bethany Dillon cover, Aug/Sept/Oct 2006

The magazine covers issues significant to the daily lives of its audience. Whether the subject is serious or casual, the magazine strives to dig deeper into these topics. Presenting forums for teenagers in this way empowers them to express themselves in a healthy way rather than turning to food, alcohol or self harm, often in the form of cutting. This approach helps teens move beyond those crutches and encourages them to positively express themselves.^[14]

Cover stories

• June–July 2006 - Bethany Hamilton, a teen surfer who lost her left arm in a shark attack.
• August–September–October 2006 - Bethany Dillon, a Nashville, TN-based singer with Sparrow Records.

Articles

• June–July 2006 - summer styles (fashion, hair, makeup), summer fitness report, skin care, a personal story about eating disorders, upcoming artists of 2006 (Flyleaf, OneRepublic), facing peer pressure, the issue of grudges and forgiveness, Miss Colorado Outstanding Teen profile (2005 Winner, Jocelyn Story), volunteering, reader's art gallery
• August–September–October 2006 - school fashion, metabolism, characteristics guys look for in girls, healthy cafeteria choices, resolving conflict in relationships, coping with pushy parents, materialism, must-hear artists (Dropping Daylight, Mars ILL, Krystal Meyers, Anathallo), upcoming TV season, time management, improving sleep habits, reader's art gallery

References

1. ^ "A Perfect Nine" from Ypulse, August 15, 2005.
2. ^ "Turning the page: new teen magazine focuses on what's inside", Tenley Woodman (The Boston Herald), July 10, 2006.
3. ^ Organization Description at goodsearch.com internet search engine.
4. ^ "As Magazines Hemorrhage Cash, Industry Evolves", NPR "All Things Considered" report by Jim Zarroli, January 13, 2010.
5. ^ "ninemagazine.org at "Archive.org", June 26, 2007.
6. ^ "Shark attack survivor discusses products and jewelry lines in new mag" Lanaly Cabalo, The Garden Island, June 30, 2006.
7. ^ "niNe. magazine Media Kit", 2006.
8. ^ "Webinar on link between media images, self-esteem stresses education of youth", Lauren La Rose, The Canadian Press, February 4, 2010.
9. ^ "niNe. magazine Media Kit", 2006.
10. ^ "Turning the page: new teen magazine focuses on what's inside", Tenley Woodman (The Boston Herald), July 10, 2006.
11. ^ "A positive role model", Maggie McDermott (Daily Camera, Boulder, CO), July 1, 2006.
12. ^ Augusta Chronicle, July 4,2006.
13. ^ "Strong message for teens" Susan Campbell (The Hartford Courant), June 21, 2006.
14. ^ "Nine tackles teen issues" Aimee Heckel (Daily Camera, Boulder, CO), July 29, 2005.

• Televised Interview with Editorial Director, Melinda Laging, The CW2, Denver, CO, October 4, 2006

External links

• http://www.ninemagazine.org - official website, under construction
• http://www.myspace.com/ninemagazine - official website