Stranger (magazine)

Infobox Magazine
title = "Stranger"


image_size = 200px
image_caption = "Stranger" Issue 15
editor = Helen Gilchrist
editor_title = Editor and Publisher
staff_writer =
frequency = Bi-monthly
circulation =
category = Lifestyle magazine
company =
publisher = Helen Gilchrist
firstdate = October 2004
country = UK
language = English
website = [http://www.stranger-mag.com stranger-mag.com]
issn =

"Stranger" is a bi-monthly creative lifestyle magazine based in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom that focuses on the alternative, creative, non-metrocentric side of British culture. Since its first local issue on October 2004, the magazine has grown to become distribute worldwide and features articles relating to the environment, current affairs, music, fashion, and surf and skate culture.

History

"Stranger" was started by Helen Gilchrist, [cite news | title = A creative business that is no stranger to big success | work = The Cornishman | date = September 6, 2006 ] a freelance journalist who funded the project with loans from The Princes Trust and Objective One. [cite web | url = http://www.objectiveone.com/client/media/media-865.htm | title = Stranger Magazine at Show | publisher = Objective One | date = June 6, 2006 ] The first issue of "Stranger" came out in Cornwall and London in October 2004.

The initial idea for the magazine in 2004 was just to do a small, free magazine to circulate around Cornwall, in the South West United Kingdom with a population of about 500,000. [The West Briton (July 14, 2005) "Not just the fairer sex, the cleverer sex, too." Page 55.] However, by July 2005, Gilchrist's leadership of "Stranger" was recognized with awards for best marketing strategy and best promotion of Cornwall. [Western Morning News. (July 14, 2005) "Best young Cornish firms get recognition." Page 3.] Not everyone was as impressed with the magazine and in February 2006 a detractor posted on a website that "Stranger" presented the most "banal, misleading and downright disgusting portrayal of Cornwall ever." [The West Briton (February 23, 2006) "The chosen lord of electronica returns - A stranger to charm." Page 57]

Despite some criticism, the year 2006 was a good year for "Stranger". After adding a featured page in issue 12 dedicated to commercial wholesalers that stocks merchandise, the magazine received many calls from current and potential new stockists asking to be listed on that page. The West Briton (March 8, 2007) "Magazine clinches deal with book stores." Page 47.]

By April 2006 - around 18 months after launch - the magazine increased distribution and saw its national and international subscription rate rise dramatically. This permitted "Stranger" to increase revenue by introducing a new cover price. To help "Stranger" handle the additional sales, the magazine contracted with Falmouth-based 3D design company OH Design to create eye-catching retail display stands. [The West Briton (May 24, 2007) " It's oh so good for graduate's designs." Section: News:Business:Services; Page 15]

In February 2007, Borders began distributing "Stranger" nationwide in England through Borders' chain of bookstores. This allowed "Stranger" to reach current and new readers more effectively. In addition, "Stranger" has sought out other national distribution chains to stock the magazine.

In 2007, "Stranger" also began publishing on the Internet to extend its brand beyond print publication and to better reach its target 18 to 35-year-old age group.The West Briton (May 24, 2007) "Lifestyle magazine goes online." Section: News:Business:Media/Comms/IT; Page 8.] By May 2007, the [http://www.stranger-mag.com/ "Stranger" website] had received an average of more than 400,000 hits a month.

Community relations

In addition to reaching out to the community through its website, "Stranger" has organized a number of charity and social events in conjunction with the magazine. These have included treeplanting events in North Cornwall (2004 and 2005) [cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4046619.stm | title = Volunteers to plant 2,500 trees | publisher = BBC | date = Sep 28, 2004 ] , a Sudan Aid fundraiser party at the Troubador Studios in Falmouth (2005), monthly "Stranger" Social nights around Cornwall (featuring live music and DJs), snowboarding trips to the Alps (2005-2007), and a WaterAid Fundraiser in Redruth (2006).

Awards

The magazine has won the following awards at the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Hub Youth Business Awards:
* Best Marketing Strategy (2005)
* Best Promotion of Cornwall (2005) [cite web | url = http://www.neutralize.com/about_us/releases/140705.htm
title = Neutralize wins two business awards | publisher = Neutralize | date = July 12, 2005 ]
* Best Employee Of A Cornish Business (2007).

ee also

*Falmouth, Cornwall
*Cornish media

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4046619.stm Stranger Fundraiser] from the BBC
* [http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=370&Itemid=151 Stranger magazine becomes first sponsor of University College Falmouth Summer Shows] Press release

External links

* [http://www.stranger-mag.com Official website]