US Rolling Stone overhaul: New owner changes frequency, pricing

“Welcome to the new Rolling Stone,” reads a friendly note to readers in the relaunched print and digital properties for the iconic music brand.

“As of today, we’ve given both our magazine and our website complete makeovers. Starting with our current issue, featuring Cardi B and Offset on the cover, the magazine appears in a big, bold, glossy format, with more pages and richer photography. Each issue will feature more new music, more political coverage, more of the best and brightest in pop culture. Our logo has also undergone a subtle but significant update – for more on that, watch the video above. What isn’t changing is our commitment to deep reporting, unforgettable interviews, criticism you can trust and political journalism that speaks truth to power.”

While the Australian edition vanished earlier this year after the publication of its February edition, the brand lives on in the US under new owner Penske Media and there have been some significant changes.

The longtime fortnightly frequency is gone – the new US magazine product is now monthly starting with the July edition on sale this week.

The newsstand price has surged significantly from $5.99 to $9.99.

The magazine has also significantly reduced circulation from 1.45m to 650,000.

There has been some investment in the brand with the hiring of 13 new staffers this year.

“The Rolling Stone business has a unique balance of mission and impact, not to mention some of the most talented content creators and investigative journalists,” says Jay Penske, CEO of Penske Media. “There is so much opportunity ahead for this incredible business and brand – the relaunch is just the beginning.”