If you like your cougars “fast” well then, we have 10 facts for you.  But seriously…Top Predators almost always work for nature-oriented magazines, and this Cougar sure looks ready to pounce.

Rule #31 White covers over black covers

This cover sure is white, and it uses the real estate effectively on the left hand side.  It also has benefit-oriented sell lines that reach out to Ice Wine fans and Skiers looking for information on their addictive passions.

The sky bar features one of Canada’s most well know artists who specializes in nature…Bateman.  (Is it just me or is he a dead ringer for George W Bush?)

A strong cover from British Columbia Magazine that has all the hallmarks of a winner.

If you asked me to name a hit tune by Eminem I couldn’t do it.  But this cover sure got my attention at the newsstand today.

Great use of the cover real estate, with all cover lines justified left.  The simple, uncluttered approach and colour scheme is powerful and compelling. The hoodie cutting into the Rollingstone logo creates the 3d pop.

Nothing complicated here:  what are they selling?  Eminem.

Even without eye contact the cover works.  Nice cleft chin, eh?  Everyone likes a redemption story.  This one holds great promise.  We will report back with a Check Up in a few months time and let you know how this one sold.

Canadian Real Estate magazine’s January 2011 issue will be hitting newsstand on December 7th 2010.  The cover price is $7.99.

The Property Forecast issue is typically the best-selling cover of the year.
After a rigorous cover consultation process, we chose to make a number of changes for the 2011 edition:

    1.    Crisp white background
    2.    Big type treatment
    3.    De-clutter Logo area
    4.    Re-Organize UPC code treatment (price, web site URL) in
           lower right corner
    5.    Remove sky bar
    6.    Simplify number of hooks
    7.    Eliminate multiple starbursts
    8.    Create border
    9.    Add profile cut-in device
    10.    Use of gold to signal “value”

Look for special point of purchase promotions at Chapters/Indigo, Shoppers Drug Mart, and HDS Airport locations.

The Winter 2010 issue of Fly Fusion is set to hit newsstand racks on November 22nd, 2010.

The cover image features a very rugged, very macho, very predatory fly fisherman doing what he loves best, in a seasonally-appropriate setting.  Now that is hard-core addiction.

We chose to keep the cover very uncluttered, very “poster like” in its power and simplicity, to focus a radically clear message about the unique selling proposition of this issue…FLY FISH Like a Pro.  The layering of the image over the logo, and of the type under the fisherman, adds a 3-D pop.

In addition, the drop down box in the upper right corner, and the editor’s choice gear guide symbol in the lower left, work hard to offer two additional benefits to compel browsers to buy this issue.

Three additional “hooks” are easily accommodated just beneath the fishing rod.

Benefits, benefits, and more benefits.

The new Photo Life Buyers Guide is due to hit racks November 29th, 2010.

While the 2010 issue enjoyed solid sales, the Buyers Guide had its three best sales records (both in terms of units sold and sell-through efficiency) when the background was white, thus the 2011 issue features a bone-white cover.

This year, for the first time ever, we have also added a black “frame” around the cover.

We’ve simplified the main sell line to BEST STUFF, and tried to quiet down and organize the rest of the cover so that a clean, and less cluttered look focuses the attention on the gear.

The 2011 Buyers Guide retails for $7.95.  Look for a special promotion at Chapters/Indigo.