First Issue Reviews – Cover

How can a magazine like Cover not be a hit? It does, after all, take only the ‘best’ articles from a variety of sources and then publish them under one cover. The problem with this however is that readers may find it difficult to build a relationship with a title which shows little continuity in its articles from month to month – a relationship which the magazine industry is always keen to use as a reason for magazine ads being effective. If, on the other hand, Cover can find a way over the next few months of providing its own distinctive brand and “feel” then it could well become a runaway success.

Front Cover – Cover As the editorial to the first issue makes clear, the items featured come from a variety of publications, from the Wall Street Journal to the Evening Standard, from Esquire to the New Scientist and cover a similarly wide-range of issues. Pieces in this first issue are divided into neat sections which cover fashion, style and beauty; business; science, health and fitness; travel, food and cars and a handful of cover stories. All of this is held together by a smattering of “regular feature” sections which cover crosswords, magazine reviews, consumer advice and interviews.

Smaller than A4, Cover is glossy, well-designed and stylish. Good quality colour photos go alongside witty, intelligent and interesting text while layout is conventional and plain.

The 132-page title, which costs £2.50, has an ad:ed ration of 17:83. Advertisers include BMW, Volkswagen, Giorgio Armani and Classic FM.