GOOD Magazine
Encyclopedia
Good is a media platform that promotes, connects, and reports on the individuals, businesses, and non-profits "moving the world forward." Good produces a website (GOOD.is), a quarterly magazine, and online video content covering a variety of topics, including the environment, education, urban planning, design, food, politics, culture, and health.
Good was founded in 2006 by Ben Goldhirsh, son of entrepreneur and Inc. Magazine creator Bernie Goldhirsh.
's son, Al Gore III. The team was initially criticized by some industry experts, who said, "This sounds a lot to me like vanity publishing, a bunch of kids sitting around with something they think is a really good idea, and one of them has a lot of money." Others in the industry praised the magazine's design and concept upon its launch.
One central part of Goods business strategy was to donate its subscription fees entirely to charities. Subscribers were offered the option to pick which charity their fees supported: organizations like Teach for America, Millennium Promise, Ashoka, City Year, and UNICEF. Goldhirsh explained the reasoning behind the strategy in an interview with Inc. Magazine: "The idea was that we would incentivize consumers with the added benefit that their money goes to charity, incentivize these charities to reach their constituencies for the $20 donation, and enjoy the added marketing and public relations that would come from having an innovative strategy." Goldhirsh's theory has been criticized as not a viable business model.
Another change from usual industry strategy was to use their marketing budget to throw parties rather than do direct mail. Those parties have been reviewed and discussed by publications such as The Washington Post
.
On August 17, 2011, a joint announcement was made that social network service
Jumo
, founded by Chris Hughes, would be merging with Good.
throughout late 2007, when the company celebrated its one year anniversary. Goods listing of the 51 best magazines also received national press attention.
Good magazine is a four-time finalist for National Magazine Awards: twice for design (in 2008 and 2009) and once for the magazine's Transparency Section, which features infographics.
Good was founded in 2006 by Ben Goldhirsh, son of entrepreneur and Inc. Magazine creator Bernie Goldhirsh.
Founding and business model
In 2006, Ben Goldhirsh, then 26, decided to create a magazine dedicated to social causes. Eschewing experienced editors, he hired friends from college and high school, including Al GoreAl Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
's son, Al Gore III. The team was initially criticized by some industry experts, who said, "This sounds a lot to me like vanity publishing, a bunch of kids sitting around with something they think is a really good idea, and one of them has a lot of money." Others in the industry praised the magazine's design and concept upon its launch.
One central part of Goods business strategy was to donate its subscription fees entirely to charities. Subscribers were offered the option to pick which charity their fees supported: organizations like Teach for America, Millennium Promise, Ashoka, City Year, and UNICEF. Goldhirsh explained the reasoning behind the strategy in an interview with Inc. Magazine: "The idea was that we would incentivize consumers with the added benefit that their money goes to charity, incentivize these charities to reach their constituencies for the $20 donation, and enjoy the added marketing and public relations that would come from having an innovative strategy." Goldhirsh's theory has been criticized as not a viable business model.
Another change from usual industry strategy was to use their marketing budget to throw parties rather than do direct mail. Those parties have been reviewed and discussed by publications such as The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
.
On August 17, 2011, a joint announcement was made that social network service
Social network service
A social networking service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, who, for example, share interests and/or activities. A social network service consists of a representation of each user , his/her social...
Jumo
Jumo
Jumo is a social network service and website launched on November 30, 2010, to index charities so that people can find and evaluate them. Jumo was founded by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes. On August 17, 2011 he announced Jumo was merging with the GOOD organization, providing a social engagement...
, founded by Chris Hughes, would be merging with Good.
Press coverage
Around launch time in the fall of 2006, Good was featured in the New York Times and mentioned by APM's Marketplace. The magazine and its web presence were covered by NPRNPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
throughout late 2007, when the company celebrated its one year anniversary. Goods listing of the 51 best magazines also received national press attention.
Good magazine is a four-time finalist for National Magazine Awards: twice for design (in 2008 and 2009) and once for the magazine's Transparency Section, which features infographics.
Office locations
Good magazine has more than 40 employees, in two U.S. offices.| City | Country | Office Type |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles |  United States |
Primary |
| New York | United States |
Satellite |
Magazine subjects
The following is a list topics that GOOD.is has covered in its magazines:| Issue number | Title | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | I<3 America | |
| 002 | Change is Good | Jan/Feb 2007 |
| 003 | The Media Issue | March/April 2007 |
| 004 | Plan B | |
| 005 | For the People | Jul/Aug 2007 |
| 006 | Design Solutions | Sep/Oct 2007 |
| 007 | High Tech/Low Tech | |
| 008 | Big Ideas! | |
| 009 | All You Can Eat | Mar/Apr 2008 |
| 010 | The 中国 (China) Issue | May/June 2008 |
| 011 | Travel | |
| 012 | The Education Issue | Sep/Oct 2008 |
| 013 | The Election Issue | |
| 014 | State of the Planet | |
| 015 | The Transportation Issue | |
| 016 | The Water Issue | |
| 017 | The GOOD 100 | |
| 018 | The Slow Issue | Winter (Jan) 2010 |
| 019 | The Neighborhoods Issue | Spring (Apr) 2010 |
| 020 | The New Orleans Issue | Summer (Jul) 2010 |
| 021 | The Work Issue | Fall (Oct) 2010 |
| 022 | The Energy Issue | Winter (Jan) 2011 |
| 023 | Cities: Starring Los Angeles | Spring (Apr) 2011 |
External links
- Good.is (official website)
- GOOD's Twitter Stream
- GOOD's Facebook profile
- Good magazine video page
- Good magazine on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- LA Times profile of Ben Goldhirsh