Paste Magazine says goodbye to print

Paste Magazine, the Decatur, Ga.-based glossy that describes its contents as "signs of life in music, film and culture," got quite a bit dimmer Thursday when it announced that its June/July issue would be its last on paper. It is ceasing its print publication.

Last year, struggling with mounting debt and shrinking ad revenues, Paste called on readers to help bridge its difficult time. Readers did, but the debt and ad issues didn't improve enough.

Paste debuted as a print magazine in 2002. It has twice been nominated for National Magazine Awards for general excellence.

On Wednesday, Paste -- which included books in its cultural coverage -- laid off all 11 staff members.  "We've been trying to raise capital for a long time, and we had a deal that was about to close, and it just fell apart," Josh Jackson, editor in chief, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Jackson also told the paper, "We don't see this as the magazine being dead. We just see it as taking a break right now."

The initial hopes of coming back would be based on the magazine's website. Jackson and fellow Paste co-founders Nick Purdy, publisher, and Tim Regan-Porter, president, say they may continue publishing online. Paste, "while considering strategic alternatives, is focusing on its digital assets, including PasteMagazine.com," the (online) notice about ending print publication stated.

Maybe there's hope for Paste on the iPad.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Image: Paste Magazine

Comments

[Charles]

Another bites the dust. R.I.P.

[tehachapian]

I'm actually looking forward to the idea of all magazine subscriptions being available online or perused via e-readers. What a savings in paper and postage!

[Ralph]

That's right, Tehachapidiot! You'll get all the savings in the world! Of course, no magazines will actually exist anymore, but never fear, you can get all your music news and in-depth reporting from Twitter!

[John D.]

Well, there's always a con and pro about going digital.
pro: You save the trees and the environment.
con: More and more people like in the print industry get laid off.

[Adam]

Paste was a great mag but they lost their way and as such lost a lot of subs. It used to be very music specific but they seemed to drift away from music and started being more about pop culture. I stopped buying it about 2 years ago as did many of my friends. Maybe if they'd stuck to their core they'd be in the print biz. I for one prefer paper to pixels for many reasons.