Star Media's digital/print beauty and fashion publication The Kit is being expanded and relaunched

The Kit, the beauty and fashion title from Star Media Group is relaunching all of its platforms. Starting in September, the magazine title will have a new website, the digital magazine version will morph into a series of seven beauty guides, there will be a weekly "shoppable" e-newsletter and the weekly newspaper print supplement that is distributed with the Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal and Vancouver Sun will carry more original material. The changes reflect a new strategy designed to tailor content to the habits and interests of its largely women readers.

“Just as the styles we report on are always changing, so are we,” said publisher Giorgina Bigioni. “We’re always trying to stay ahead of what’s next, and it’s important that all of our platforms allow for the best reader experience. For advertisers, unexpected ad placements across multiple platforms, that are both meaningful and engaging, will enable brands to reach and interact with readers.”

The Kit’s digital magazine becomes a series of free, interactive beauty guides, available for download by tablet and mobile phone readers on Apple Newsstands. The first, a fall hair guide, debuts Sept. 15 and includes features on the season’s best ponytails, a hair damage decoder for women of every age and a profile of Grace Mahary, Canadian model and runway darling. It will be followed by a winter skin guide and holiday survival guide. A browser version is available on thekit.ca.    

The Kit publishes French-language digital and paper editions once per month; Le Kit paper is available via Journal Metro in Montreal and Le Kit magazine is available free on Apple Newsstand. The Kit publishes a Chinese-language paper edition once a month, through Sing Tao Daily. 

The Kit was started in 2010 as an independent digital-only beauty magazine by a team led by Bigioni, formerly the publisher of Fashion magazine (St. Joseph Media). It was acquired by the Star Media Group in 2011 and soon thereafter extended its mandate to encompass fashion and to launch the weekly print edition. 

OWL magazine relaunches with new logo, new mascot and new content

OWL, the magazine for children 9 to 13, has relaunched with new content and a design update. The relaunch follows STEAM principles.

"STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to help teach and inspire students," explains Jennifer Canham, group publisher, Owlkids. "Innovation is driving the future, and by using STEAM to develop our content we're encouraging our readers to learn through creation and discovery."

The redesign includes a refreshed logo and new mascot. The September issue, which hits newsstands on August 18 at a promotional $2.50 price, features former Commander Chris Hadfield, who serves as guest editor and takes readers on a special space journey. OWL also introduces its Advisory Board, a group of experts who will contribute to the magazine over the coming year. This board includes Dr. Jennifer Gardy(BC Centre for Disease Control), Jonathan Moneta (MAKELAB), Ziya Tong(Daily Planet co-host) and Raymond Wang (Canadian Young Scientist Journal).

Complementing the relaunch issue's space theme is OWL's exciting "Out of this World" contest, inviting Canadian families to enter for the chance to win their very own space adventure to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

OWL is published by Owlkids, a division of Bayard Canada and also publishes Chirp (ages 3-6), chickaDEE (ages 6 - 9) as well as Owlkids Books. 

Ontario OUT OF DOORS magazine reloads website

www.oodmag.com

Ontario OUT OF DOORS magazine, published by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) has relaunched its website, the first upgrade since the magazine was purchased from Rogers Publishing in December 2008. The revitalization of the magazine's web presence has been a prime focus since editor-in-chief Lezlie Goodwin joined in October 2012, according to a release. The team that managed the largely in-house relaunch included web editor April Scott-Clarke and art director Tamas Pal.

“Our revitalized website is part of Ontario OUT OF DOORS commitment to digital content,” said [managing editor Ray] Blades. “The redesign incorporates a user-friendly experience that offers quick and easy access to content from our province’s best outdoor writers. It’s also now compatible with mobile devices.”    

“Ontario OUT OF DOORS magazine has long been the go-to publication for the province’s anglers and hunters. Now, our website offers that same level of top-notch content and stunning photography,” said Goodwin. “Visitors to the website and the community forum [www.oodmag.com/community] will experience greater ease of use and many new features. I’m sure you’ll enjoy what we come up with over the next several months to continue to make the site bigger and better.”

OFAH is the oldest and largest non-profit, non-government fish and wildlife organization in Canada, representing more than 100,000 members. (It acually started OOD in 1969, sold it in 1985 to Maclean Hunter and bought it back from MH's successor, Rogers Publishing, in 2008.)