Journalism
Magazine reviews: Maxim
by admin on Nov.03, 2009, under Journalism
Ok, now I have to be critical, just cannot help doing otherwise.
My boyfriend subscribed to Maxim 2 years ago and in a way I subscribed too as there were many articles that I liked reading. Aimed head-on at young men, Maxim encompassed all the male obsessions such as gorgeous women, fast cars and sports wrapped up in a glossy paper that featured hot shot female celebrities. From Anna Kournikova (three times cover) to Eva Longoria (two times cover) and from Jessica Alba (two times cover) to Christina Aguilera, dressed cover models and revealing photo layouts along with latest movies reviews, music reviews, trendy styles and interviews with celebrities along with jokes, trivia and sex columns made Maxim a stand out magazine.
Making amusing remarks and featuring articles about the deadliest city in the United States or insightful product reviews, Maxim was pretty interesting and entertaining. Also, I liked a lot those microwave tests and fast food-type items that underwent reviewing and rating from the magazine’s chef. And the great stories about actors, athletes, cool gadgets, great places to find a good hamburger and the best party cities!
Yet, as all good things come to an end, Maxim changed its design but unfortunately changed also its quality. I wouldn’t care so much for the models of course, but I would care for the quality of articles. Writing got shorter, less sharp and more obnoxious in an effort to become humorous and entertaining. In addition, insufferable advertisement about “Male Enhancement” splattered all over the magazine in such an extent that it got annoying and even irritating. Maxim is now significantly thicker, yet not because of quality articles but because it is stuffed with ads.
As far as I know Maxim changed three editors and this probably caused confusion to the magazine’s direction. Although the target group is pretty clear, Maxim needs to reconsider its practices. Male enhancement is understandable in a male magazine, but certainly not to that extent. Advertisement is also understandable because it pays the bill at the end of the year, but at least they need to be quality ads. There are good content ads and trash ads. I really don’t understand why maxim sticks to the latter ones.
Of course, my boyfriend has discontinued his subscription and on the top of everything he has received several phone calls to renew it. This simply means: Maxim not only got an average magazine in quality, it got also worse in marketing practices. Too bad!
Ok, to wrap up, I don’t think Maxim is absolutely terrible. But compared to what it used to be, I don’t see why it’s worth subscribing anymore. I would go on an issue to issue basis to save my money and time.
My boyfriend subscribed to Maxim 2 years ago and in a way I subscribed too as there were many articles that I liked reading. Aimed head-on at young men, Maxim encompassed all the male obsessions such as gorgeous women, fast cars and sports wrapped up in a glossy paper that featured hot shot female celebrities. From Anna Kournikova (three times cover) to Eva Longoria (two times cover) and from Jessica Alba (two times cover) to Christina Aguilera, dressed cover models and revealing photo layouts along with latest movies reviews, music reviews, trendy styles and interviews with celebrities along with jokes, trivia and sex columns made Maxim a stand out magazine.
Making amusing remarks and featuring articles about the deadliest city in the United States or insightful product reviews, Maxim was pretty interesting and entertaining. Also, I liked a lot those microwave tests and fast food-type items that underwent reviewing and rating from the magazine’s chef. And the great stories about actors, athletes, cool gadgets, great places to find a good hamburger and the best party cities!
Yet, as all good things come to an end, Maxim changed its design but unfortunately changed also its quality. I wouldn’t care so much for the models of course, but I would care for the quality of articles. Writing got shorter, less sharp and more obnoxious in an effort to become humorous and entertaining. In addition, insufferable advertisement about “Male Enhancement” splattered all over the magazine in such an extent that it got annoying and even irritating. Maxim is now significantly thicker, yet not because of quality articles but because it is stuffed with ads.
As far as I know Maxim changed three editors and this probably caused confusion to the magazine’s direction. Although the target group is pretty clear, Maxim needs to reconsider its practices. Male enhancement is understandable in a male magazine, but certainly not to that extent. Advertisement is also understandable because it pays the bill at the end of the year, but at least they need to be quality ads. There are good content ads and trash ads. I really don’t understand why maxim sticks to the latter ones.
Of course, my boyfriend has discontinued his subscription and on the top of everything he has received several phone calls to renew it. This simply means: Maxim not only got an average magazine in quality, it got also worse in marketing practices. Too bad!
Ok, to wrap up, I don’t think Maxim is absolutely terrible. But compared to what it used to be, I don’t see why it’s worth subscribing anymore. I would go on an issue to issue basis to save my money and time.
