MarkLives.com runs a regular slot featuring the best local and international magazine covers every week. We recognise well thought out, powerful and interesting (and hopefully all three in one) magazine covers and celebrate the mix of pragmatism, creativity and personal taste that created each of them. By media bloggerMediaSlutZA.
Playboy South Africa, April 2012
The Jenzen twins are the first twin-Playmates of South Africa, in celebration of Playboy SA’s 2nd year in the market. I love the “Double Vision” theme that seems to be through-out the issue, and I’m sure that the twin-fantasy will get many a man hard up NOT to buy this issue.
SARIE, Woman & Home, Women’s Health, April 2012
All three titles that feature Charlize Theron this month (April 2012) deserve some recognition. It’s always funny when two magazines feature the same model/actress on their covers, not to mention 3, but at least they are all in completely different markets, within the Women’s Interest category. But at the same time, all three of them are stunningly beautiful with the colours, Charlize and everything just working together.
Where It’s At (Design Indaba), 2012
Many publishing houses (and advertising agencies) have tried to re-invent the term “magazine” and make it “creative” and something “different”. But then they fail. Design Indaba, with the help of creative genius Richard Hart, has produced a truly magnificent project, without losing the feel of magazine, or coffee table book. The truly smart part is the cover that folds out to a beautiful map of Africa with the word “Where It’s At”. And if it’s folded back, “HERE” is spelled out. With 88 text pages, 28 gatefold posters designed by some of the best artists and graphic designers, this one is a keeper.
Men’s Health, April 2012
I think this is fun and smart, and well executed by the Creative Director Rob Cilliers; you can choose whether you want to have a clothed, or half-naked Marc Buckner on your cover. Everyone has a preference, so I think this is really smart, and something Men’s Health can do with every issue…[Sorry for the poor quality on the one cover – it was tweeted to us]
– The (for now anonymous) blogger behind MediaSlutZA knows way too much for his own good about media in South Africa. Magazines in particular. His mission is to show when South African magazines might fail, but most importantly, succeed. If you’re looking for a library about South African magazines and news, your one-stop pitstop is MediaSlutZA. #MagazinesForTheWin
– Find a cover we should know about? Tweet us @marklives and @mediaslutza