Good (magazine)
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| Categories | general interest, philanthropy |
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| Frequency | quarterly |
| Total circulation | 25,000+ (date?)[citation needed] |
| First issue | 2006 |
| Company | GOOD Worldwide |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Los Angeles |
| Language | English |
| Website | Good.is |
Good (trademarked GOOD in caps) is a media platform that promotes, connects, and reports on the individuals, businesses, and non-profits "moving the world forward."[1] Good produces a website (GOOD.is), a quarterly magazine, and online video content covering a variety of topics, including the environment, education, urban planning, design, food, politics, culture, and health.
Good was founded in 2006 by Ben Goldhirsh, son of entrepreneur and Inc. Magazine creator Bernie Goldhirsh.
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[edit] Founding and business model
In 2006, Ben Goldhirsh, then 26, decided to create a magazine dedicated to social causes. Eschewing experienced editors, he hired friends from college and high school, including Al Gore's son, Al Gore III. The team was initially criticized by some industry experts, such as magazine executive and publishing expert Chip Block, who said, "This sounds a lot to me like vanity publishing, a bunch of kids sitting around with something they think is a really good idea, and one of them has a lot of money."[2] Others in the industry praised the magazine's design and concept upon its launch.[2]
One central part of Good's business strategy was to donate its subscription fees entirely to charities.[2] Subscribers were offered the option to pick which charity their fees supported: organizations like Teach for America, Millennium Promise, Ashoka, City Year, and UNICEF.[3] Goldhirsh explained the reasoning behind the strategy in an interview with Inc. Magazine: "The idea was that we would incentivize consumers with the added benefit that their money goes to charity, incentivize these charities to reach their constituencies for the $20 donation, and enjoy the added marketing and public relations that would come from having an innovative strategy."[4] Goldhirsh's theory has been criticized as not a viable business model.[5]
Another change from usual industry strategy was to use their marketing budget to throw parties rather than do direct mail.[2] Those parties have been reviewed and discussed by publications such as The Washington Post.[6]
On August 17, 2011, a joint announcement was made that social network service Jumo, founded by Chris Hughes, would be merging with Good.[7][8]
[edit] Press coverage
Around launch time in the fall of 2006, Good was featured in the New York Times and mentioned by APM's Marketplace.[9] The magazine and its web presence[10] were covered by NPR[11][12] throughout late 2007, when the company celebrated its one year anniversary. Good's listing of the 51 best magazines also received national press attention.[13]
Good magazine is a four-time finalist for National Magazine Awards: twice for design (in 2008 and 2009) and once for the magazine's Transparency Section, which features infographics.[14][15]
[edit] Office locations
Good magazine has more than 40 employees, in two U.S. offices.[16]
| City | Country | Office Type |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles |  USA |
Primary |
| New York | USA |
Satellite |
[edit] Magazine subjects
The following is a list topics that GOOD.is has covered in its magazines:[17]
| Issue number | Title | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | I<3 America | |
| 002 | Change is Good | Jan/Feb 2007 |
| 003 | The Media Issue | March/April 2007 |
| 004 | Plan B | |
| 005 | For the People | Jul/Aug 2007 |
| 006 | Design Solutions | Sep/Oct 2007 |
| 007 | High Tech/Low Tech | |
| 008 | Big Ideas! | |
| 009 | All You Can Eat | Mar/Apr 2008 |
| 010 | The 中国 (China) Issue | May/June 2008 |
| 011 | Travel | |
| 012 | The Education Issue | Sep/Oct 2008 |
| 013 | The Election Issue | |
| 014 | State of the Planet | |
| 015 | The Transportation Issue | |
| 016 | The Water Issue | |
| 017 | The GOOD 100 | |
| 018 | The Slow Issue | Winter (Jan) 2010 |
| 019 | The Neighborhoods Issue | Spring (Apr) 2010 |
| 020 | The New Orleans Issue | Summer (Jul) 2010 |
| 021 | The Work Issue | Fall (Oct) 2010 |
| 022 | The Energy Issue | Winter (Jan) 2011 |
| 023 | Cities: Starring Los Angeles | Spring (Apr) 2011 |
[edit] References
- ^ GOOD About Page
- ^ a b c d A Magazine for Earnest Young Things. The New York Times. Sharon Waxman. September 17, 2006.
- ^ Wealthy Son Aims to Build His Legacy. "The Wall Street Journal". Emily Steel. July 20, 2006.
- ^ Inheriting the 'Entrepreneurial Spirit Inc. Magazine. Angus Loten. June 19, 2007.
- ^ Doing Well By Doing Good. Foreign Policy Magazine. Carolyn O'Hara. September/October 2007
- ^ Good Anniversary Party: Editor's Pick, The Washington Post. Julia Beizer. Sept. 5, 2007.
- ^ Two Groups That Help Nonprofits in a Merger, Stephanie Strom, The New York Times, August 17, 2011
- ^ Jumo and GOOD Combine Forces to Create Content and Social Engagement Platform, Chris Hughes, Jumo blog, August 17, 2011
- ^ Marketplace: Smart (socially-conscious) business
- ^ A Vision of 'Good' Works in Magazines, Web. NPR. December 8, 2007
- ^ Magazine Aims to Be 'Good' for You NPR. October 10, 2007.
- ^ Magazine Makes 'Good'. NPR. November 22, 2007
- ^ Cheers and Jeers for Condé Nast. The New York Times. Maria Aspan. March 12, 2007
- ^ 2009 National Magazine Awards Winners and Finalists
- ^ 2008 National Magazine Award Winners and Finalists
- ^ GOOD Contact Page
- ^ http://shop.good.is/
