Outside's Go, the Best Life to Outside's Men's Health that dropped to two issues in November, announced it will produce digital-only issues in the summer and winter, raising the magazine's frequency to four times per year. The issues will be delivered via Zinio.

While we have our problems with the digital publishing service, ad revenue is ad revenue and its good to see a brand expanding rather than shrinking.

In October, Outside editor Chris Keyes told us, "Larry [Burke, the company's owner] and I joke that if tomorrow morning we could switch our entire subscription base to Zinio or some other digital platform, we would do it in a second obviously — from an environmental standpoint, from a cost standpoint." Although Keyes also reaffirmed the company's commitment to print in the interview, one can only assume this Go experiment will serve as a test case for future changes.

Go also raised its rate base to 235,000. The full release is after the jump.

OUTSIDE'S GO EXPANDS FREQUENCY WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO EXCLUSIVELY-DIGITAL EDITIONS POWERED BY ZINIO

OUTSIDE'S GO INCREASES TO FOUR ISSUES IN 2009

Santa Fe, New Mexico (January 13, 2009) — Mariah Media, publisher of Outside Magazine and Outside's Go, announced today that they will increase the frequency of Go for 2009 with two exclusively — digital issues — Summer and Winter. And, after review chose Zinio, the global leader in digital publishing services, to be its partner. With the addition of the Summer and Winter digital-only editions, Go increases its frequency to four issues, demonstrating commitment to the brand, innovation and an enthusiasm for leading-edge technology that enhances the reader's experience.

The unprecedented move allows Go to provide enhancements in the presentation of editorial content using the multimedia capabilities that are unavailable in print, such as a hyperlinked table of contents, interactivity (embedded animations, video and rich media files), sound and complete searchability of both current and past issues. The two digital issues provide not only an opportunity for Go to provide fresh content to its readers more frequently, but also an additional platform for advertisers to reach Go's desirable, very affluent, active male readership.

Outside's Go has raised its rate base to 235,000 in 2009 and will continue to offer the same highly-sought demographic of affluent men with a passion for travel and a mindset to live aggressively and well.

"We are thrilled with this partnership with Zinio," said Go publisher Walker Mason. "Go has gained traction with a number of prestigious, high-end advertisers and this will allow them continued access to our coveted readers during key selling and travel periods of the year."

"Since its inception, Zinio has striven to help publishers adapt to the increasingly-digital landscape by offering them alternative channels of content distribution that are both less expensive and more environmentally sustainable," said Rich Maggiotto, President and CEO of Zinio. "The world is more dependent on digital technologies than ever before, and this fact, coupled with the current economic climate, has made now the optimal time for publishers to add digital to their mix. We are incredibly excited to help Outside's Go take this leap into what is certain to be a major player in the future of publishing."

"It's tremendously exciting for my staff and me to be challenged to present Go's content digitally. This opportunity means we can give great value to our readers through increased service, expanded photo galleries, pertinent links and new media while being environmentally friendly," says editor Kent Black. "It's like learning a new language: It makes you smarter and helps you see the world in a whole new way."

"This is a win/win situation, for it demonstrates Go's ability to be innovative in this challenging marketplace and maintain our brand equity. We see this partnership continuing even as we look to grow Go's frequency, both in print and digital, in 2010," said Mason.

Outside's Go has won numerous editorial and design awards in its first two years and continuing that path will be a primary focus for the Go team.

About Outside's Go
Outside's Go is the only travel and style magazine for active and very affluent men. With a circulation of over 235,000, Go is the first magazine to recognize that worldly, accomplished men make travel decisions for the adventurous trips and uncompromising travel experiences they seek. Go is published by OGO MediaNet LLC, a division of Mariah Media Inc., publisher of Outside magazine.

About Zinio LLC

Zinio is the global leader in digital and interactive publishing products and services, currently distributing over 1,000 digital magazine titles currently in its stable. Partnering with American and International publishers, Zinio opens opportunities for revenue growth and wider circulation. Zinio also designs marketing programs that focus on consumer acquisition and retention, cross-promotion, and driving revenue. Zinio is also the founder of The Read Green Initiative™ (GoReadGreen.com).

As a worldwide distributor, Zinio has offices in San Francisco and New York and Distribution partners across the globe. Zinio’s partners include Bonnier, Hearst, IDG, Gruner + Jahr, Hachette Filipacchi, IPC Media, Mariah Media, McGraw-Hill, The National Magazine Company, Playboy Enterprises, Rodale, Rogers Publishing and Ziff Davis. Zinio is also the exclusive home of VIVmag, the world's first fully digital and 100% interactive high-end women's publication. For more information, or to purchase any of the digital magazine-specific titles offered by Zinio, please visit www.zinio.com.