Macfadden Publications
Encyclopedia
Macfadden Communications Group is a publisher of business magazines. It has a historical link with a company started in 1898 by Bernarr Macfadden
that was one of the largest magazine publishers of the twentieth century.
in 1919 made the company very successful. Other well-known magazines, such as Photoplay
and True Detective
, soon followed. Macfadden also launched the tabloid New York Evening Graphic. Bernarr Macfadden withdrew from his leadership roles with the company in 1941.
New York, WOKY
Milwaukee
, and KCBQ
San Diego. A share in Bartell was acquired by Downe Communications
in 1967, with full control in 1969. Between 1969 and 1974 Downe was acquired by Charter Company
. Bartell was fully acquired by Downe in 1976, and Downe was fully acquired by Charter in 1978.
Downe purchased the newspaper supplement Family Weekly
in 1966, and the Ladies' Home Journal
and The American Home
from the Curtis Publishing Company
in 1968.
True Story, Photoplay, TV-Radio Mirror, True Confessions, Motion Picture, True Romance, True Experience and True Love. Us
was purchased in 1980, and sold in 1986. In the mid-eighties, Macfadden bought the Ideal Publishing Company, who published Teen Beat
and other fan magazines, from Filmways
. MacFadden acquired a stake in what would become American Media in 1989 when it bought a stake in the National Enquirer.
, as well as the music magazine Metal Edge
. The merger was finalized in October 1992. In 1998, the conglomerate's line of youth music publications was sold off to Primedia
; the rest was bought by Dorchester Media in 2004.
Teen Magazines
. The Macfadden trade titles were sold to VNU
the same year.
Newspapers
Teck Publishing Corporation (1931–1938)
Macfadden Performing Arts Media
Bernarr Macfadden
Bernarr Macfadden was an influential American proponent of physical culture, a combination of bodybuilding with nutritional and health theories...
that was one of the largest magazine publishers of the twentieth century.
Macfadden Publications
Physical Culture, Bernarr Macfadden's first magazine, was based on Macfadden's interest in bodybuilding. The launch of True StoryTrue Story (magazine)
True Story was an American magazine published by Dorchester Publishing. It was the first of the confessions magazines genre, having launched in 1919...
in 1919 made the company very successful. Other well-known magazines, such as Photoplay
Photoplay
Photoplay was one of the first American film fan magazines. It was founded in 1911 in Chicago, the same year that J. Stuart Blackton founded a similar magazine entitled Motion Picture Story...
and True Detective
True Detective
True Detective has been the name of several different magazines.The first was an American true crime magazine featuring articles about crime and criminals, created by publisher Bernarr Macfadden in 1924; it's considered the first true crime magazine. Although generally lurid, True Detective did...
, soon followed. Macfadden also launched the tabloid New York Evening Graphic. Bernarr Macfadden withdrew from his leadership roles with the company in 1941.
Macfadden/Bartell
In 1961, the Bartell Broadcasting Corporation bought a controlling share in Macfadden and merged with the company, forming Macfadden/Bartell. Bartell owned WADOWADO
WADO is a radio station on 1280 AM. WADO serves New York City and is owned by Univision. The station carries a Spanish language News and Talk format. Its transmitters are located in Carlstadt, New Jersey.- Early programming :...
New York, WOKY
WOKY
WOKY is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, radio station. They broadcast a classic country radio format emphasizing country from the 50s-80s...
Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, and KCBQ
KCBQ
KCBQ is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format and is owned by Salem Communications. The station offers Conservative talk programming such as Mike Gallagher, Dennis Prager and Michael Medved...
San Diego. A share in Bartell was acquired by Downe Communications
Downe Communications
Downe Communications was a publishing company founded by Edward Downe, Jr. that produced several popular magazines and provided subscription fulfillment services from 1967 to 1978....
in 1967, with full control in 1969. Between 1969 and 1974 Downe was acquired by Charter Company
Charter Company
The Charter Company of Jacksonville, Florida was a conglomerate with more than 180 subsidiaries that was in the Fortune 500 for 11 years beginning in 1974 and ranked 61st in 1984 before it sought bankruptcy protection in late 1984 and spiraled into obscurity....
. Bartell was fully acquired by Downe in 1976, and Downe was fully acquired by Charter in 1978.
Downe purchased the newspaper supplement Family Weekly
USA Weekend
USA Weekend is a national publication distributed through more than 800+ newspapers in the United States. It reaches 47 million readers in 22.6 million households every weekend. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, food and travel....
in 1966, and the Ladies' Home Journal
Ladies' Home Journal
Ladies' Home Journal is an American magazine which first appeared on February 16, 1883, and eventually became one of the leading women's magazines of the 20th century in the United States...
and The American Home
The American Home
The American Home was a monthly magazine published in the United States from 1928 to 1977. Its subjects included domestic architecture, interior design, landscape design, and gardening....
from the Curtis Publishing Company
Curtis Publishing Company
The Curtis Publishing Company, founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, became one of the largest and most influential publishers in the United States during the early 20th century. The company's publications included the Ladies' Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post, The American Home,...
in 1968.
Macfadden Group
Macfadden's woman's magazines were spun off in 1975, and sold to the unit president, Peter J. Callahan. These magazines were:True Story, Photoplay, TV-Radio Mirror, True Confessions, Motion Picture, True Romance, True Experience and True Love. Us
Us Weekly
Us Weekly is a celebrity gossip magazine, founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986. The publication covers topics ranging from celebrity relationships to the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment...
was purchased in 1980, and sold in 1986. In the mid-eighties, Macfadden bought the Ideal Publishing Company, who published Teen Beat
Teen Beat
Teen Beat was an American magazine geared towards teenaged readers.First published in August 1976, the magazine was preceded by sister publications 16 Magazine, published in 1956, and Tiger Beat, which was first published in 1965...
and other fan magazines, from Filmways
Filmways
Filmways, Inc. was a television and film production company founded by American film executive Martin Ransohoff in 1958...
. MacFadden acquired a stake in what would become American Media in 1989 when it bought a stake in the National Enquirer.
Sterling/Macfadden
In 1991, the Macfadden consumer magazines were spun off and merged with Sterling's Magazines. Sterling's published fan magazines such as Tiger BeatTiger Beat
Tiger Beat is an American fan magazine marketed primarily to adolescent girls. It is currently published by Laufer Media, Inc. of Los Angeles, California, which also produces its sister publication, Bop....
, as well as the music magazine Metal Edge
Metal Edge
Metal Edge was a magazine covering heavy metal music published by Zenbu Media. It was founded in the summer of 1985, during the height of Glam metal's success.Both Metal Edge and its sister publication, Metal Maniacs, ceased operations in 2009....
. The merger was finalized in October 1992. In 1998, the conglomerate's line of youth music publications was sold off to Primedia
Primedia
PRIMEDIA Inc. is privately held American media company fully owned by TPG Capital.Consumer Source Inc. is the sole operating division of PRIMEDIA and helps millions of consumers find apartments, houses for rent, and new homes for sale through its Internet, mobile, and print products...
; the rest was bought by Dorchester Media in 2004.
Teen Magazines
- Teen BeatTeen BeatTeen Beat was an American magazine geared towards teenaged readers.First published in August 1976, the magazine was preceded by sister publications 16 Magazine, published in 1956, and Tiger Beat, which was first published in 1965...
- 16 Magazine16 magazine16 Magazine was a fan magazine based out of New York City. It was the first magazine marketed to adolescents that focused exclusively on celebrities...
- Tiger BeatTiger BeatTiger Beat is an American fan magazine marketed primarily to adolescent girls. It is currently published by Laufer Media, Inc. of Los Angeles, California, which also produces its sister publication, Bop....
- TeenTeen (magazine)Teen was an American teen lifestyle magazine for preteen and early teenage girls, ages 10 to 15. The content of Teen included advice, entertainment news, quizzes, fashion, beauty, celebrity role models, and "real-girl stories".-Content:...
Macfadden Holdings
The trade magazines Chief Executive and Discount Merchandiser, as well as the company's stake in American Media, remained a separate company. American Media was sold in 1999 to the investment group Evercore PartnersEvercore Partners
Evercore Partners is an investment bank located in New York City. Evercore also has an investment management business through which the Company manages private equity and venture capital funds for institutional investors...
. The Macfadden trade titles were sold to VNU
VNU
Nielsen is a global marketing and advertising research company headquartered in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Nielsen is active in over 100 countries, and employs some 32,000 people worldwide...
the same year.
Present day
The executives of Macfadden Business Communications started a new company using the Macfadden name. It is a publisher of business-to-business magazines.Historical publications
Magazines- Physical Culture
- True StoryTrue Story (magazine)True Story was an American magazine published by Dorchester Publishing. It was the first of the confessions magazines genre, having launched in 1919...
(1919– - Brain Power (1922-24) (also titled National Pictorial Brain Power Magazine)
- True Experiences (1922-
- True Romances (1923-
- Love and Romance (1923-
- Muscle Builder (1924-
- True DetectiveTrue DetectiveTrue Detective has been the name of several different magazines.The first was an American true crime magazine featuring articles about crime and criminals, created by publisher Bernarr Macfadden in 1924; it's considered the first true crime magazine. Although generally lurid, True Detective did...
(1924–1971) - Master Detective (1930-
- Famous Detective Cases
- True Love
- True Love Stories (1924-
- True Marriage Stories (1924-
- Modern Marriage
- Own Your Own Home
- Your Faith
- Dream World (also titled Dream World: Love and Romance)
- Ghost Stories (1926-32) (under Harold HerseyHarold HerseyHarold Brainerd Hersey was a pulp editor and publisher, and published several volumes of poetry. His pulp industry observations were published in hardback as Pulpwood Editor .-Early life:...
's control 1930-32) - Macfadden's Fiction Lovers' MagazineMetropolitan Magazine (New York)Metropolitan Magazine, known in its later years as Macfadden's Fiction Lover's Magazine, was a monthly periodical in the early 20th century with articles on politics and literature.-History:...
- Midnight (also titled Midnight Mysteries)
- The Dance Magazine
- Climax:Exciting Stories for Men
- PhotoplayPhotoplayPhotoplay was one of the first American film fan magazines. It was founded in 1911 in Chicago, the same year that J. Stuart Blackton founded a similar magazine entitled Motion Picture Story...
(1934–1980) - Secrets (1936-
- Personal Romances (1937-
- Movie Mirror
- Radio Mirror ( -1948)
- Saga: Adventure Stories for Men (195x-198x)
- TV Radio Mirror (1949–1977)
- True ConfessionsTrue ConfessionsTrue Confessions is a confession magazine targeted at young women readers. It wasoriginally published by Fawcett Publications, beginning in 1922....
(1963–1992) - Motion Picture
- SportSport magazineSPORT magazine was an American sports magazine. Launched in September 1946 by the New York-based publisher, Macfadden Publications, SPORT pioneered the generous use of color photography – it carried eight full colour plates in its first edition – and almost immediately became half-bible, half-guru...
(1946–1975) - Intimate Stories (1948-
- Revealing Romances (1949-
- PageantPageant (magazine)Pageant was a 20th-century monthly magazine published in the United States from November 1944 until February 1977. Printed in a digest size format, it became Coronet magazine's leading competition, although it aimed for comparison to Reader's Digest....
(1961–1977) - LibertyLiberty (1924-1950)Liberty was a weekly, general-interest magazine, originally priced at five cents and subtitled, "A Weekly for Everybody." It was launched in 1924 by McCormick-Patterson, the publisher until 1931, when it was taken over by Bernarr Macfadden until 1942. At one time it was said to be "the second...
(1931–1950)
Newspapers
- New York GraphicNew York GraphicThe New York Evening Graphic was a tabloid newspaper published from 1924 to 1932 by Bernarr "Bodylove" Macfadden...
(1924–1932) - Philadelphia Daily NewsPhiladelphia Daily NewsThe Philadelphia Daily News is a tabloid newspaper that serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The newspaper is owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings which also owns Philadelphia's other major newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Daily News began publishing on March 31, 1925, under...
(1925–1932) - Detroit Daily
- Detroit MirrorDetroit MirrorThe Detroit Mirror was a daily morning tabloid newspaper published in Detroit, Michigan. Itceased publication in August 1932 without warning, only giving a week of severance pay to its shocked employees.At that time it had a circulation of 170,000...
(? – 1931)
Teck Publishing Corporation (1931–1938)
- Amazing StoriesAmazing StoriesAmazing Stories was an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction...
- Radio NewsRadio NewsRadio News was an American monthly technology magazine published from 1919 to 1971. The magazine was started by Hugo Gernsback as a magazine for amateur radio enthusiasts, but it evolved to cover all the technical aspects to radio and electronics. In 1929 a bankruptcy forced the sale of Gernsback's...
- Wild West Stories & Complete Novel Magazine
Current publications
- Pizza Today (purchased in 2000)
- Home Furnishings News (purchased in 2006)
- Grocery Headquarters (purchased in 2004)
- Consumer Products Buyer
- Pet Business (purchased in 2000)
- The Pet Aisle
- Grooming Business
- The Pet Elite
Macfadden Performing Arts Media
- American Cheerleader (purchased in 2006)
- Cheer Biz News
- Dance MagazineDance MagazineDance Magazine is an "influential" American trade publication for dance, currently published by the Macfadden Communications Group. It was first published in June 1927 as The American Dancer. William Como was its editor-in-chief from 1970 to his death in 1989. Wendy Perron became its editor-in...
- Dance Spirit
- Dance Teacher
- PointePointe (magazine)Pointe is an international trade publication for ballet aimed toward ballet dancers and students. It is published by Macfadden Performing Arts Media, acquired with the purchase of Lifestyle Media, Inc. in 2006. Pointe covers international news on company debuts, competition results, and rising...
- Dance Retailer News