Special Report: Letter From the Editor

What’s that you’re reading?

Ah yes, a magazine. Surely you remember those. They’re that quaint medium that enabled Time Inc., Condé Nast and Hearst to erect global media empires that, lately, have become purveyors not only of print but also a dizzying display of digital sidelines (DVDs, VOD, mobile apps), TV shows, satellite radio channels, retail shops, clubs, housewares, flowering plants—even condiments (not one but two magazines now have their own lines of mustard). So, you’ll forgive us for thinking, upon seeing a press release this month promoting “Men’s Health Turkey,” they meant lunch meat, rather than the Rodale men’s lifestyle title’s latest international incarnation.

Men’s Health, which has spun out a range of products including books, DVDs, events and two wildly successful print siblings (Women’s Health, Best Life) under the guidance of busy editor in chief David Zinczenko, sits atop this year’s AdweekMedia Brand Leaders Hot List, our annual ranking of...