The Magazine Publishers of America released data from a study yesterday that forecasts an increase in the number of magazine subscriptions sold online this year.

According to the MPA, subscriptions that originate from the Web will make up 22 percent of new business sales for MPA member magazines this year. Last year, 21 percent of new subs came from the Web, with 17 percent and 13 percent coming from the Web in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The information, which was drawn from a survey of MPA members and their actual and projected sales for this year, also revealed that 14 percent of total subscriptions sales — both new subscriptions and renewals — will come from the Web this year, with a majority coming from magazines’ own sites. Also, subscriptions coming from Amazon.com are projected to increase 35 percent this year.

Full release after the jump

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In the spirit of Paste magazine, which last month asked readers to donate in order to keep the pub alive, humanitarian magazine NEED has launched a “Screw The Man” campaign, asking readers to subscribe so the magazine can dump its advertising. If the mag can get 25,000 subscribers it can get rid of corporate ads for a year. And for every 5,000 subscribers, a drawing will be held to send one subscriber on a free 10-day expedition to Central America.

So what’s the cost for subscribers? It’s $27 for a one-year sub for the quarterly magazine if you live in the U.S. — $50 if you want to sign up for 2 years.

In a video explaining the campaign, NEED staffers explain that getting rid of advertisers will allow them more freedom to cover the things that are important to them and their readers and help them weather the current economic downturn. Sounds good to us.