A Daring Cover Treatment
June 19, 2007
What do you do when your cover story addresses a hot topic about a major ethnic/religious issue… Go for the shock impact. Time Out London did exactly that with their cover story on the future of Islam in London. They opted to have a typographical cover with Arabic type instead of English. Big type, big words and only those who can read or speak Arabic can read it. The rest of the audience had to read the little translation at the bottom of the cover. It has been ages since I have seen a cover that really stops you in your tracks…this one did. Congratulations to Time Out London for a great cover idea. A daring cover treatment for these daring and trying times.
Mr. Magazine 
I don’t think Bauer should feel honored in “winning” this title. The ratio of subscription price to newsstand price is close because their newsstand price is so cheap – $1.99 with regular $.99 promotions. So they must not be getting much for their subscriptions either!
People, US and Star magazine all have a $3.50-3.99 newsstand price with much higher yield on subscriptions – $50-$90.
Apologies, Time Out! That comment was intended for the story below yours.
‘Time Out London’ hardly ever summoned my attention. It gives the impression of one of those cheapo all-advertisement practically ‘throw away’ magazines. I know. I have lived in London for 30 years.
But you are very right. This particular cover page design is nothing short of ingenious! I noticed how much attention this magazine was demanding from the rush hour commuters at the London Underground stations. In fact more than many of the other more ‘upmarket’ mags.
The title translated simply says in Arabic ‘The Future Of Islam’. It sums up THE haunting question many Muslim and non Muslims have on their minds in this country and indeed all over the World. Truly London IS a City Of The World!!