NEW YORK – HelloGiggles, a website aimed at young women, has launched its first print edition. The inaugural issue is being sent this month to homes of select PEOPLE subscribers age 18-39.
The biannual publication, which will have an initial run of 500,000 copies, will mirror the digital brand with a focus on the positive aspects of culture, female empowerment, style, relationships, friendship, careers, and news that matters to young women.
HelloGiggles was founded by actress Zooey Deschanel, Sophia Rivka Rossi and Molly McAleer and debuted online in 2011. It was acquired by Time Inc. in 2015 and became part of Meredith when the company bought Time Inc.
“The genesis of HelloGiggles’ print edition came from the data that 60% of our Instagram followers said they would read a print issue of their beloved brand, so we responded,” said Cece Ryan, Publisher at Meredith Corporation. “Our marketing partners enthusiastically embraced this opportunity to be in front of HelloGiggles’ youthful and loyal audience on any platform they enjoy.”
Advertisers in the first issue, which will have limited newsstand distribution, are predominantly from the beauty category. Content includes beauty and fashion advice, book recommendations from authors, thoughtful first-person essays, inspiring quotes, and games and puzzles intended to help readers bond with their “bff.”
HelloGiggle’s parent company, Meredith Corporation, has a successful history of launching print from digital and television brands, as demonstrated with Allrecipes which has nearly tripled its circulation from 500,000 to 1.4 million since launching in 2013; Magnolia Journal, the magazine from Chip and Joanna Gaines which debuted in 2016 and recently won MPA’s Magazine Launch of the Year; and, Hungry Girl which launched in January 2018.
“We have a great track record at Meredith of extending brands through print,” said Doug Olson, President of Meredith’s Magazine Group. “In the recent past, we have seen huge consumer response to new magazines at newsstand and large subscription increases over a short time period. When you have that kind of success with consumers and advertising partners, it’s a good business model.”
