Jet Magazine Gets Redesign

If you're not a regular reader, you can at least remember Jet magazine from your grandmother's crib or maybe even the barbershop. The long running, weekly African-American entertainment focused publication, recognizable via its petite physical size, is getting a redesign.  The New York Times reports:

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On Friday, the magazine's owner, Johnson Publishing, announced a complete redesign for Jet in print and online — the first in the 62 years of the publication, long a staple in the black community. The new look for Jet includes brighter colors against a white background, more informational graphics, larger photos and new fonts. Almost a year and a half ago, its sister publication, Ebony, unveiled an online redesign of its own, which was preceded by a print redesign. 


Since then, traffic to Ebony.com has increased substantially to more than 600,000 visitors in July from less than 100,000 visitors a year ago, said Desiree Rogers, the chief executive of Johnson Publishing, who is hoping for a similar bounce at Jet. “


People really did feel that it was time for a little bit of a makeover here,” said Desirée Rogers, the chief executive of Johnson Publishing. “These brands have been around for almost 70 years. You've got to change with the times.” 


First published in 1951, it was Jet magazine the published photos of the mutilated corpse of the late Emmett Till in 1955. The new design will first be seen in the August 12 issue that features actors Octavia Spencer and Michael B. Jordan,who both star in Oscar Grant biopic Fruitvale Station, on it cover. Check out the full cover image on the flip. Yes, the Jet "Beauty of the Week" will remain part of the mag.