Nine magazine

niNe. magazine logo, 2005 to present

niNe. magazine is an online publication aimed at teenage girls. The magazine is a production of Nine Media LLC. In an initial publication run (under the structure of Nine Magazine, Inc., established in 2005), 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 periodical began publishing online content in the fall of 2011. The online publication focuses on emerging media platforms as an avenue for content geared to 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.
• September–October–November 2011 - Beckah Shae, a Contemporary Christian singer, promoting her fifth album.^[15]

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
• September–October–November 2011 - fall fantasy fashion, profile of wakeboard world cup champion, Raimi Merritt,^[16] addressing alcoholism in the family, college entrance-exam preparation, criticism
• December 2011-January 2012 - winterizing your wardrobe, winter workouts, Christmas movie releases, mid-season TV premieres

References

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

External links

• http://www.ninemagazine.org - official website
• http://www.myspace.com/ninemagazine
• http://www.youtube.com/ninemagazine