NiNe. magazine

Founder	Melinda Laging, Louise Wo
Founded	2005
First issue	June–July 2006 [print]
Final issue	May–June 2015 [print]
Company	Nine Media LLC; Nine Magazine, Inc.
Country	United States
Based in	Denver, Colo.
Website	ninemagazine.org

niNe. magazine is an online publication aimed at teenage girls, a production of Nine Media LLC, founded as a print magazine by Melinda Laging and Louise Wo in 2005. Currently an online-only enterprise, its Nine Magazine, Inc. print form reached a circulation of 20,000 and a subscriber-base throughout 43 states, the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces.

Name

The niNe. title stands for nine characteristics described in the Christian New Testament, in Paul's letter to the Galatians (5:22-23), as being the ways that the Holy Spirit contributes to a quality life:^[1]

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)

The capitalized N is intended to draw attention to the reader's inner world, to promote inner beauty and faith in one's self.^[2]

History

Nine Magazine, Inc. was formed in Colorado by Melinda Laging and Louise Wo.^[3] While attending the University of Colorado-Boulder,^[4] Laging and Wo sought to present a magazine spotlighting current issues and interests affecting youth.

Following graduation, the pair organized a board of directors and established the framework of the publication. With the economic conditions of the late 2000s,^[5] Nine Magazine, Inc. began restructuring to improve upon its initial digital platform.^[6]

Originally formed as a print publication, niNe. shifted to online-only content to curtail production costs and engage in emerging social media outlets. The periodical began publishing online content in the fall of 2011.

Content philosophy

The editors of the magazine note that current media outlets aimed at young women focus on entertaining, selling, and engaging their audience "through content that is in the interest of the outlet rather than the audience".^[7] They note that by addressing the facts of important issues head-on, the magazine can dedicate its pages to promoting self-esteem, volunteerism, philanthropy, positive journalism and literacy for adolescent girls.^[2] The creators of niNe. magazine have been stated as using this direct, unabashed approach to educate its audience and reconstruct the manner in which media communicates to a youth-oriented audience.^[4] They note that the philosophy seeks to engage the audience in the discussion of a topic without having conflicting messages in its advertising.^[8] niNe. is described as seeking to avoid advertisements that demean women or young girls, instead it seeks out advertisers that reinforce the beauty, intelligence, worth and strength of women.^[9]

Subjects and topics

The magazine covers issues it perceives to be significant to the daily lives of its audience. As an early reviewer states, "Whether the subject is serious or casual, the magazine strives to dig deeper into these topics. Presenting forums for teenagers in this way empowers them to express themselves in a healthy way rather than turning to food, alcohol or self-harm, often in the form of cutting. This approach helps teens move beyond those crutches and encourages them to positively express themselves."^[10]

References

Further reading

• Televised Interview with Editorial Director, Melinda Laging, The CW2, Denver, CO, October 4, 2006.