Complex Kills Its 14 Year Old Print Magazine

After almost 14 years of operating in print, Complex Media will be bringing their bi-monthly magazine to an end.

Complex is one of today’s most easily recognizable media platforms. Their magazine (and online content) geared towards hip hop heads, street wear enthusiasts and pop culture consumers, has amassed the publication a large and dedicated following. But as technology changes the way we absorb and consume culture, the stark reality of in-print journalism becomes more and more apparent.

Following this morning’s announcement that the December 2016/ January 2017 issue (boasting Sofia Richie & Pusha-T on the cover) will be the last in-print magazine, the publishing jaggernaut laid off an unspecified number of employees. According to Billboard, these lay offs came mainly from the art department and the marketing and sales division.

Complex Media has been undoubtedly strategic in its move to becoming a mainly online based publication entity. The first annual, two day ComplexCon went down in November- the event not only attracted masses of people from around the globe but it also assures Complex a solid spot on the radar as a physical hub of culture/ music. Complex has also become inarguably more video based and in a statement released today, Complex stated that the company is embarking “…on a rapid expansion of premium video creation across the company’s networks and with a growing list of distribution partners, the company is reallocating certain positions to address its content needs…”.

With our society consuming more and more digital content instead of in print content, this is probably the right move for Complex as we move into 2017. But it does leave us with a lingering question- is there no come back for in print journalism?