Now (newspaper)
 | |
| Editor | Kevin Ritchie |
|---|---|
| Former editors | Michael Hollett (1981–2016) |
| Staff writers | Susan G. Cole, Enzo DiMatteo, Glenn Sumi, Norman Wilner |
| Categories | Alternative weekly newspaper |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Publisher | Brian Kalish (2019–2020), Alice Klein (2016–2019), Michael Hollett (1981–2016) |
| Total circulation | print: 510,000 (weekly avg, November 2019)[1] |
| First issue | 1981 |
| Company | Media Central Corporation |
| Country | Canada |
| Based in | 304-122 Scollard Street, Toronto, Ontario |
| Language | English |
| Website | nowtoronto |
| ISSN | 0712-1326 |
Now (styled as NOW), also known as NOW Magazine, is a free alternative weekly newspaper and online publication in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[2]
It was first published on September 10, 1981, by Michael Hollett and Alice Klein.[3] NOW is an alternative weekly that covers news, culture, arts, and entertainment. NOW is published 52 times a year. The publication can be picked up in subway stations, cafes, variety stores, clothing outlets, restaurants, alternative movie venues, and in its green and red newspaper boxes. NOW is published every Thursday.
NOW has been online since 1993, first as now.com and then as nowtoronto.com since 2000.
It is also a central sponsor and its owners held an ownership stake in North by Northeast, a major annual music festival in Toronto.
NOW was privately owned by Hollett and Klein until 2016, when Hollett sold his share of the company to Klein and left the newspaper to focus on North by Northeast as the festival's president and founder.
In 2019, Klein's NOW Communications sold NOW to Media Central Corporation for $2 million. Klein remained with the newspaper as "Chief Editorial Strategist".[4][1] A few weeks later, Media Central Corporation also announced a deal to acquire the similar Vancouver publication The Georgia Straight.[5]
In 2022, Media Central Corp Inc., of which NOW Central Communications Inc. is a subsidiary of, that owns and publishes NOW Magazine, files for bankruptcy.[3][6]
Content
Syndicated content in NOW includes Dan Savage's "Savage Love" sex advice column and Rob Brezsny's "Real Astrology". Notable writers and editors include Susan G. Cole, Adria Vasil, Glenn Sumi, Norman Wilner and David Suzuki.
NOW publishes several comprehensive guide issues every year. Some of these include:
- Love Your Body
- The Best of Toronto Guide
- The Binge Issue
- The Hot Docs Film Festival Guide
- The Hot Summer Guide
- The Love & Sex Guide
- The NYE Planner
- The Patio Guide
- The Restaurant Guide
- The TIFF Issue
- The Toronto Pride Guide
- The Year In Review
In September 2021, Media Central Corporation announced that the company would be selling nine NFTs made from previous covers published by NOW Magazine and Georgia Straight. The NFTs are still listed as open for bidding.[7]
In March 2022, NOW Magazine cuts back on printing weekly issues for at least the next two months in an effort to save money and grow its online audience.[7]
Green efforts
Some of these efforts include the construction of the Green Roof in 2006. The roof helps to keep the building temperature regulated while using less energy which aids in keeping pollution low. The plant life, which is a sedum species, helps to purify the air. The green roof also reduces stormwater runoff – which can cause sewage backup during periods of deluge. NOW implements a 100% recycled paper policy and uses only vegetable-based dyes for print. This effort, each year, saves over 28,000 living trees, reduces greenhouse gases – the equivalent given off by 534 cars, eliminates 7 swimming pools of waste water and saves 79 garbage trucks worth of solid waste. Now also partners with Green Enterprise Toronto (GET) and Canopy (formerly Markets Initiative). Both companies are dedicated to responsible business and green initiatives.
NOW is a certified B Corporation.[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Media Central Corporation Inc. Acquires Toronto's Iconic Weekly Alternative News and Entertainment Voice, NOW Magazine".
- ^ Smith, Charlie (March 31, 2011). "Toronto's Now newspaper removed from city locations after poking fun at Mayor Rob Ford". Straight.com.
- ^ a b "Publisher of Toronto's iconic NOW Magazine files for bankruptcy.". blogTO Toronto, April 1, 2022.
- ^ "Startup media company to buy Now magazine for $2 million". CBC News Toronto, December 2, 2019.
- ^ "Georgia Straight sold to Media Central Corp. for $1.25M". CBC News British Columbia, January 6, 2020.
- ^ "Now Magazine publisher Media Central Corporation Inc. files for bankruptcy". Globe and Mail Toronto, April 1, 2022.
- ^ a b "Weekly rag goes monthly: NOW Magazine cuts back on print issues". Daily Hive Toronto, April 1, 2022.
- ^ "Certified B Corporation". B Corporation. December 2012.
External links
- Now: The Musical Movie trailer