VALENCIA, CA (BRAIN)—H3 Publications will be adding a digital magazine to its lineup in March called Tri-Magazine.
April's first issue will be available for free to readers to download by subscribing on www.tri-magazine.net and viewable on their computer, iPad, iPhone and other smartphones on March 1.
Last January H3 had announced a similar magazine, but in print form. Two months later H3 owner Dave House pulled the plug on that magazine, but still left the door open for a future launch.
“The timing is right,” House said. “I never said never. We found the right people that fit in with our crew. I’m really excited about the couple we have.”
The couple House refers to is AJ and Courtney Johnson. Besides being avid triathletes, both have extensive experience as journalists in the tri world with AJ having worked for Inside Triathlon, according to House. Most recently AJ has done freelance work for Cycle News, House said. Both will work out of H3 headquarters in Valencia, California.
There’s no doubt tri is a hot category right now as evidenced by the print publications that have entered into the category recently. Lava Magazine, led by tri media veteran John Duke, launched last March. Earlier this month, Move Press, the publisher of Peloton magazine, announced its foray into the consumer tri category with 3/GO. It will be unveiled at the Wildflower triathlon in April.
House felt like doing a digital version was the right way to go with this new publication. He cited the immense success of his two other print publications, Road and Decline, when it came to offering them as digital downloads.
“Paper prices aren’t going down,” House said. “Printing prices aren’t going down. Postage isn’t going down. I believe for way less money I can reach hundreds of thousands of people worldwide vs. thousands.”
House said the monthly magazine will bring readers the best in training, racing and insight from all distances and all levels. The computer downloadable version will have an option to translate editorial to 21 languages.
—Jason Norman
jnorman@bicycleretailer.com
