Next magazine, the number one-ranked LGBTQ weekly entertainment brand in North America, will be shaking up entertainment publishing in South and Central Florida and delighting tens of thousands of readers in print and online when it makes its debut next week.
The top choice by New Yorkers for the past 23 years, Next is consistently ranked by industry insiders as the most authoritative LGBTQ entertainment, nightlife and lifestyle magazine and is recognized the world over.
The cutting-edge digital and print brand, known for its exclusive celebrity interviews and original content, will make its debut in Florida on March 3 with a state-of-the-art online hub, free electronic subscriptions to weekly e-zines as well as print editions serving Miami and Fort Lauderdale (weekly) and Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg (monthly).
The combined brand is expected to reach an audience via web, mobile and print estimated at one million local and international readers per month.
“This is a huge, huge step for us to improve the value of the products we offer our readers and advertisers and we could not be more excited,” said Bobby Blair, CEO of Multimedia Platforms Worldwide (MMP), which purchased the New York Next magazine last June. “Next magazine is known and respected for its content, photography and social interaction with its readers and followers. It is simply the best – and that’s what we want for Florida and what our readers and advertisers in Florida expect from us.”
Guy magazine, which Blair and Brian Neal, his life and business partner, founded six years ago, and which has also been published by MMP, will be merged and consolidated into Next to allow the company to market and grow a single entertainment brand. The final souvenir collector’s edition of Guy hits the streets of South Florida this Thursday.
“Next is an iconic brand that’s known to LGBT promoters, celebrities and entertainment and nightlife industry leaders everywhere,” said Peter Jackson, MMP president and executive group publisher. “It makes sense to expand the brand to Florida and beyond, build on the strength of the Next name and solidify our position as the market leader.”
So what can readers expect from Next when the inaugural editions are published next Thursday?
“Expect something amazing!” said Kevin Hopper, VP/Operations, who is supervising the launch with editor Diego Wyatt. “Next will be the one source to go to for hyper-local content as well as the best in LGBT entertainment and interviews on a national level. We will continue to focus the spotlight on the hottest venues and personalities, to probe the under-the-radar hot spots, and introduce readers to cutting edge entertainment.”
The first issues of Next magazine South Florida and Next magazine Central Florida will be released on March 3rd with two very special inaugural editions curated specifically for their separate markets. Content will also be accessible online at NextMagazine.com and at WiRLD.com, MMP’s new global digital media hub, phase 1 of which is currently in beta testing mode.
Next magazine South Florida will be distributed throughout Miami, South Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, and West Palm Beach. Next magazine Central Florida will be distributed throughout Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg.
About Multimedia Platforms
Multimedia Platforms Inc. (“MMPW”) is an industry-leading multimedia, technology and publishing company that delivers content and advertising to one of the most sought-after demographics in the world, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) population. MMPW’s top brands include Frontiers magazine, Florida Agenda newspaper, WiRLD City Guides (formerly FunMaps) and Next magazine representing approximately 7.5 million readers annually.
MMPW’s WiRLD digital hub features a global news stand, global business directory, community LGBT network, a first of the kind rewards program and an online entertainment network to launch during the second quarter of 2016. WiRLD is currently in beta. For more information, please visit WiRLD or follow us on Twitter.
