The details seem a bit vague. I'm curious to see how things will change. Readers of both pubs might not see a change, but I wonder if they'll be combining ad sales/events teams, etc. A move to combat tough economic times?

 

Via Press Release:

PITCHFORK AND FADER MEDIA ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 

Leading Voices In Emerging Music And Culture Join Forces To Offer
Enhanced Opportunities For Advertisers and Readers

 

New York, NY: The FADER and Pitchfork, the two leading voices in emerging music and culture, have announced a partnership designed to extend the reach and enhance both brands.

 

The deal will include integrated advertising and sponsorship opportunities across all properties and platforms, including print, online, festivals, events, and unique content exchanges.

.....

http://www.thedailyswarm.com/swarm/pitchfork-and-fader-partner-enhance-both-brands/

smart move for pfork. ok move for the fader.

I think it makes sense because Pfork doesn't have much of a print presence, but has a strong web presence and vice versa for Fader. On the flip, it's a strange move considering both companies are somewhat large and usually moves like this seem to happen when two small fish need to do it to survive or compete with a bigger player.

 

Also, I read the press release again and I guess I'm wrong. it seems like readers will see a change ("unique content exchanges," "offer great value to our readers." I don't know if this is such a good idea. There is some overlap, but I think the brands and audiences are pretty different.

I don't know about this. Is Fader solely a print thing? I don't see any point to having a print presence for Pitchfork.  I really don't see the point of having a print presence for anyone on the intarweb, as a matter of fact.

 

This must have been an attempt to survive from Fader. Smart move for them, don't know about Pitchfork.

 

And I hate marketspeak. "Content," "value". SO VAGUE. Blech. I wonder if this is where Pitchfork starts getting wobbly and fat and collapses like musical flan.

Fader is also online, but they're not nearly as big as Pfork online. I think the advantage of having a print presence for an online site has more to do with making money versus a benefit to readership. A lot of times ads can be packaged together online with print ads.

 

i think the fader has the tastemaker status that pfork kinda had once upon a time, and pfork wants back in on that. i guess this will make fader higher profile online, but not sure what they have to gain outside that.

Do people still subscribe to print magazines for music news? I understand that you can load them up with ads for cash, but as far as I know magazine subscriptions have been dwindling.  Not so sure about Fader or other music magazines, but I know PC magazine is folding, and EGM might. I got the impression that this trend was industry wide. I'm probably wrong. The paperless office and all that. Seems silly to try and branch out to print right now. So much of music news is fast and ephemeral.

i think pfork's goal is just to drive more people to the site as opposed to branching into print. and i think theyre hoping that the average fader reader who probably scoffs at pfork will give them a chance.

 

and as for fader, theyre not really about music news as much as they are shining a spotlight on new artists and genres, and doing big, visually heavy features on established ones. 

Agreed, gm.

I got a  sub. of Fader last year, but ended up being very disappointed by it.

 

 

Ah. Makes sense.

How long  before this "partnership" dissolves?

I dont see why anyone would invest in print media nowadays. Bad move for PFork imo.

Fader Media is not just the magazine: http://www.foliomag.com/2008/fader-forms-media-company

 http://www.foliomag.com/2008/fader-forms-media-company

good point...forgot about their other branches. i could see fader films and pfork tv doing collaborating together.