Why print magazines won't die: The Bathroom Theory
Ed Lewis, founder of Essence Magazine, spoke at the Yale School of Management last week about the challenges he faced as a black entrepreneur in the magazine business. When questions turned to the current competition from Internet-based media, Mr. Lewis stated firmly that print will continue to be around, since "you can't take computers to the bathroom."
With e-paper moving "from sci-fi to marketplace," that day may yet come. For now, however, publishers can take comfort in paper's ability to boldly go where computers don't dare.
(Even distant threats are a big deal on a magazine publishers' time horizon. As Mr. Lewis noted, Money (the magazine) didn't make any money (cash) for its first nine years.)