Prosumer Media to launch "Dig iT" magazine.

Prosumer Media Corp. (Berkeley, CA) will begin the publication of Dig_IT, a consumer magazine that will focus on digital technology, with an issue in December. Prosumer is a new publishing company formed earlier this year by a variety of magazine industry veterans including David Bunnell, Fred Smith, Scott Briggs and Michael Tchong.

Prosumer said the new title will cover four major areas including consumer electronics, computing, telecommunications and entertainment and is designed to be the "ultimate guide" to new digital products and services.

The most interesting part of the launch is the company's use of new technologies and strategies. First, Prosumer said it is eliminating "almost all" direct mail, and will use the Internet for management of subscriptions and customer service. Subscriptions will only be available online. Second, Prosumer will not offer annual subscriptions, but will instead make the magazine available as part of a special "Dig iT Club" membership. Priced at $2 per month, the membership includes the magazine and benefits such as online content, discounts and incentive programs.

Prosumer chairman Fred Smith said the new subscription management strategy "is making publishing history." He noted that Prosumer "charges you for each issue as you receive it, with no requirement to subscribe for more than a single month."