Hotdog Magazine
Encyclopedia
Hotdog Magazine was a film
magazine
first published in the United Kingdom
in 2000. Its publisher, Highbury Entertainment, claimed an average circulation of 17,132 between July and December 2003.
As it tended toward a cynical view of the film industry (especially Hollywood), Hotdog could have been regarded as an editorially partisan
publication. It usually avoided jumping on the blockbuster
bandwagon and frequently published pieces which appeared to be contrary to widespread opinion (such as an iconoclastic item on Star Wars
, for instance).
However, over the past couple of years the magazine veered more towards the mainstream film press, with the notable change being its cover policy: initially Hotdog covers were often illustrations or images of cult, historical or alternative characters from film, referenced within that issue in one way or another, but towards the end of its life - along with a new, glossy cover material - this changed to the more standard practice of putting the current star of the moment there instead. This was largely a decision imposed by management for commercial reasons; veiled (or not so veiled) references to the magazine staff's displeasure at the practice can be found in several issues.
The magazine was originally published by I Feel Good Ltd, before being sold to Paragon Publishing in 2002. Paragon was bought by Highbury House Communications PLC in 2003, becoming first Highbury-Paragon and later Highbury Entertainment. Following Highbury House's financial collapse in 2005, the Highbury Entertainment magazines were sold off to various other companies, including Future Publishing
and Imagine Publishing. Hotdog was sold to SMD Publishing in early 2006, who closed the magazine in November 2006.
MediaWeek
contained a story on page five that SMD Publishing were to close the title unless a buyer could be found. Richard Olsen, managing editor, is quoted as saying "Hotdog is an exceptional magazine, but not economically viable in its current form" http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/front-magazine-bought-by-entrepreneur/3003022.article.
It was recently announced in Marketing Week
that Hotdog Magazine was acquired along with Front (magazine)
by The Kane Corporation which is an independent publishing company led by 24 year old self made millionaire entrepreneur Dominic McVey
and managing director of talent agency Money, Francis Ridley. The Kane Corporation has not yet announced its intended plans for Hotdog. http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/front-magazine-bought-by-entrepreneur/3003022.article
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
first published in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 2000. Its publisher, Highbury Entertainment, claimed an average circulation of 17,132 between July and December 2003.
As it tended toward a cynical view of the film industry (especially Hollywood), Hotdog could have been regarded as an editorially partisan
Partisan (political)
In politics, a partisan is a committed member of a political party. In multi-party systems, the term is widely understood to carry a negative connotation - referring to those who wholly support their party's policies and are perhaps even reluctant to acknowledge correctness on the part of their...
publication. It usually avoided jumping on the blockbuster
Blockbuster (entertainment)
Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...
bandwagon and frequently published pieces which appeared to be contrary to widespread opinion (such as an iconoclastic item on Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
, for instance).
However, over the past couple of years the magazine veered more towards the mainstream film press, with the notable change being its cover policy: initially Hotdog covers were often illustrations or images of cult, historical or alternative characters from film, referenced within that issue in one way or another, but towards the end of its life - along with a new, glossy cover material - this changed to the more standard practice of putting the current star of the moment there instead. This was largely a decision imposed by management for commercial reasons; veiled (or not so veiled) references to the magazine staff's displeasure at the practice can be found in several issues.
The magazine was originally published by I Feel Good Ltd, before being sold to Paragon Publishing in 2002. Paragon was bought by Highbury House Communications PLC in 2003, becoming first Highbury-Paragon and later Highbury Entertainment. Following Highbury House's financial collapse in 2005, the Highbury Entertainment magazines were sold off to various other companies, including Future Publishing
Future Publishing
Future plc is a media company; in 2006, it was the sixth-largest in the United Kingdom. It publishes more than 150 magazines in fields such as video games, technology, automotive, cycling, films and photography. Future is the official magazine company of all three major games console manufacturers...
and Imagine Publishing. Hotdog was sold to SMD Publishing in early 2006, who closed the magazine in November 2006.
MediaWeek
MediaWeek
MediaWeek is a trade magazine serving the Australian newspaper, television, radio, magazine and advertising industries. MediaWeek is published as a weekday email digest and weekly hard copy magazine...
contained a story on page five that SMD Publishing were to close the title unless a buyer could be found. Richard Olsen, managing editor, is quoted as saying "Hotdog is an exceptional magazine, but not economically viable in its current form" http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/front-magazine-bought-by-entrepreneur/3003022.article.
It was recently announced in Marketing Week
Marketing Week
Marketing Week is a magazine focused on the marketing industry in the UK. The magazine is based in London.The magazine is owned by the LSE-listed company Centaur Media plc. Among the senior staff are Publisher Sarah Gilchriest and Editor Mark Choueke. Its circulation is approximately 40,000, with...
that Hotdog Magazine was acquired along with Front (magazine)
Front (magazine)
Front was first published by Cabal Communications in 1998, it was created to rival IPC's publication Loaded, catering to a demographic of 16- to 25-year-old males. It began as part of the British "lads' mag" genre of magazines though the covers rejects this description with the statement "Front is...
by The Kane Corporation which is an independent publishing company led by 24 year old self made millionaire entrepreneur Dominic McVey
Dominic McVey
Dominic McVey is a British entrepreneur from London who started business at the age of 13, importing micro-scooters from the United States into the United Kingdom....
and managing director of talent agency Money, Francis Ridley. The Kane Corporation has not yet announced its intended plans for Hotdog. http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/front-magazine-bought-by-entrepreneur/3003022.article