Canadian and American magazines face a turbulent time navigating theshift to digital. The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) will explore the challenges in its J-Talk Series, Digital or Bust? The Future of Magazines, being held November 30 in Toronto. “The issue is no longer if magazines need to reconsider their business models, but how,” said Laas Turnbull, Chief Audience Officer for ZoomerMedia, who will moderate the panel. “Like all other traditional media, print is under attack and there’s no clear path forward,” he added. In Canada, Toronto Life celebrates 50 years, The Walrus looks to build on its foundation funding model, and Rogers Media is moving towards online-only editions. South of the border, John MacArthur (pictured previously), the head of the thinking person’s monthly, the 166-year-old Harper’s Magazine, remains firmly committed to the virtues of words on paper. Is this all cause for celebration or cause for despair?
Join special guests John R. (Rick) MacArthur, President and Publisher of Harper’s Magazine; Sarah Fulford, Editor-in-Chief of Toronto Life; Jonathan Kay, Editor-in-Chief of The Walrus, and Steve Maich, Senior Vice-President of Digital Content and Publishing for Rogers Media, for what promises to be a fascinating and helpful conversation on the challenges facing magazines today. The discussion is part of the CJF’s J-Talks Series, exploring issues and challenges shaping journalism. The CJF added that it’s extremely grateful for the generosity of J-Talk series’ sponsor BMO Financial Group and in-kind supporters CNW and CPAC.
The event will take place Wednesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. (followed by a reception at 8 p.m.) at the TMX Broadcast Centre, The Exchange Tower, 130 King Street West in downtown Toronto. Early Bird tickets (limited quantitis available) are $20 each, Student tickets (ID required, limited quantities available) are $15 each, and General Admission tickets are $25 each. For more information and to register, please visit http://cjf-fjc.ca/j-talks/digital-or-bust-future-magazines.
CJF panel discussion “Digital or Bust? The Future of Magazines” set for November 30 in Toronto
