Another big name in print media has bit the dust. Vibe Magazine, which focused on hip hop news and trends, is “closing immediately” according to a report in The New York Times.
The magazine’s sudden departure continues a trend of print publications either closing up shop or transitioning to an online-only version. Already this year, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The Christian Science Monitor have pursued the latter approach, while the Rocky Mountain News was forced to shut its doors completely.
It’s a bit surprising that Vibe’s not going to at least try the online-only route, as it has a fairly recognizable brand name, a well-defined target audience, and even has its own televised annual awards show. PaidContent reports that this is a possibility, as Vibe founder and famed music producer Quincy Jones is looking to buy back the magazine and keep it going in online-only form, but the plan is still a work in progress.