RUGBY’S Six Nations leads the editorial of a new, high-quality digital magazine just launched by a former presenter on a new defunct digital TV channel dedicated to Rangers football cub.
It was following a conversation with Rangers’ goalkeeper, Allan McGregor, that prompted Lindsey Archibald to explore the potential of a glossy magazine in the mould of Icon – launched by former footballer, Jamie Redknapp, and his partner, Louise.
Says Lindsey, who has also been a reporter for Border TV: “When, last year, it looked like Setanta – which operated Rangers TV – was going ‘belly up’ [which it did], I thought maybe there was potential for a Scottish version of Icon and also [footballer] Rio Ferdinand’s No.5. I went for the digital version partly because it keeps costs down.”
Status Magazine uses ‘turn-page technology’ so it looks like a magazine rather than a website. Its 32 pages include columns by Stuart Lovell (on football), Nelson Brown (on fashion), Grant Stott, Suzie McGuire, Steve McKenna (gadgets), Karen Bale (women’s lifestyle), Paul Harper (music), Craig Gordon (football), Pauline McCormick (travel) and Jason Cowan (fitness).
The second issue is expected at the end of next month, depending on advertising sales. The hope is it becomes a monthly and it is aimed primarily at men, aged 18-39.
Continues Lindsey: “It is very Scottish, but these last few hours, I’ve noticed a lot of people based in London visiting the site.”
She has funded the venture via a personal loan and support from enterprise organisation, Business Gateway.
