Stuff (magazine): Difference between revisions

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{{short description|British consumer electronics magazine}}

{{Cleanup|November 2006}}

{{about|the British magazine|the unrelated New Zealand website|Stuff (website)}}

{{More citations needed|date=July 2009}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox Magazinemagazine

| title = Stuff

| image_file = Stuff UK magazine December 2024 cover.webp

| image_caption = Cover of the December 2024 issue (UK)

| category = [[Consumer electronics]]

| editor = Dan Grabham

| frequency = Monthly

| company = [[Kelsey Media]]

| total_circulation = 29,142<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.abc.org.uk/product/7399 |title=Stuff magazine circulation |date=December 2020 |publisher=[[Audit Bureau of Circulations (UK)|Audit Bureau of Circulations]]}}</ref>

| circulation_year = Jan-Jun 2006 (UK)2020

| firstdate = November 1996 (UK) <br /> 1999 (US)

| language = [[English language|English]]

*| website = [http://www.stuff.tv/ Official U.K.UK site]

| issn = 1364-9639

| founded = November 1996 (UK) <br /> 1999 (US)

| country = [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[United States|U.S.]], [[Turkey]], [[Germany]], [[Russia]], [[Czech Republic]], [[France]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Ukraine]], [[Spain]], [[Romania]], [[Lithuania]], [[China]], [[Philippines]], [[Thailand]], [[Taiwan]], [[Malaysia]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], Middle East, [[Mexico]] [[Korea]], [[Poland]], [[Portugal]] and [[Vietnam]]

}}

'''''Stuff''''' is a British [[consumer electronics]] magazine published by [[Kelsey Media]].

{{Infobox Magazine

| title = Stuff

| editor = [[Tom Dunmore]] (UK editor in chief)<br />Fraser Macdonald (UK editor)

| frequency = Monthly

| publisher = [[Dennis Publishing]], Inc. (U.S.)

[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket]] (UK)

| total_circulation = 92, 672 (UK)

| circulation_year = Jan-Jun 2006 (UK)

| language = [[English language|English]]

| website = *[http://www.stuff.tv/ Official U.K. site]<br />

*[http://www.stuffmagazine.com/ Official U.S. site]

| subject_category = [[List of men's magazines|Men's]]

| founded =

| country = [[United States|U.S.]], [[Turkey]], [[United Kingdom|UK]],

[[Germany]], [[Russia]], <br />[[Czech Republic]], [[France]],<br /> the [[Netherlands]], <br />

[[Ukraine]], [[Spain]], [[Romania]],<br />

[[Lithuania]], [[China]], <br />[[Philippines]],

[[Thailand]], <br />[[Taiwan]], [[Malaysia]],

[[Indonesia]], <br />[[Singapore]], <br />[[Korea]] and [[Portugal]]}}

== History ==

'''''Stuff''''' is a [[List of men's magazines#|men's magazine]] featuring [[interview]]s, pictorials, and other [[article]]s of interest to a male dominated audience.

''Stuff'' was first published in Britain in November 1996 by [[Dennis Publishing]]. A bimonthly title, it followed the success of magazines such as ''[[FHM]]'' and ''[[Loaded (magazine)|Loaded]]'' in being pitched toward a young, male audience, with a focus on consumer goods and electronics.

The brand took a more lifestyle-orientated direction in 1998, before publishing group [[Haymarket Group|Haymarket]] bought the title in January 1999 and refocused the magazine to consumer electronics.

== U.S. Magazine ==

Published by Dennis Publishing, it is the sister magazine to ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'', and the two share a similar mission of providing entertainment targeted towards 18 to 30-year-old males whom it attracts with [[Wiktionary:cheesecake|cheesecake]] pictorials and cover features, humor, trivia, and product reviews of goods such as [[computers]], sports [[automobile|car]]s, [[video game]]s, [[cell phone]]s, etc. The American version of ''Stuff'' does not contain nudity, though the photo shoots generally try to get as close to nudity as possible, and at some locations, such as [[Wal-Mart]] stores in the U.S. ''Stuff'' and its sister men's magazine ''Maxim'' have been considered [[pornography]], and therefore banned. The interviews tend to be with famous [[actresses]], [[singers]], and [[Model (person)|models]] and wrestling divas, some of whom have appeared several times over the life of the magazine.

In May 2018, the brand was sold to Kelsey Media,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kelsey.co.uk/news/haymarket-media-group-agrees-sale-of-worlds-best-selling-gadget-magazine-stuff-to-kelsey-media/|title=Haymarket Media Group agrees sale of world's best-selling gadget magazine - Stuff - to Kelsey Media {{!}} Kelsey Media|date=2018-05-31|work=Kelsey Media|access-date=2018-10-09|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fusiondiginet.com/2018/05/31/kelsey-media-acquires-stuff-gadget-magazine-from-haymarket/|title=Kelsey Media acquires Stuff gadget magazine from Haymarket|date=2018-05-31|website=Fusion Corporate Partners|language=en|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> after the attempt to sell the brand to [[Future plc]] (which already owned competing title ''[[T3 (magazine)|T3]]'') fell through due to regulatory concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tobitt |first=Charlotte |date=2018-05-01 |title=Future completes £13m buyout of four magazines from Haymarket but ditches Stuff after talks with competition watchdog |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/magazines/future-completes-13m-buyout-of-four-magazines-from-haymarket-but-ditches-stuff-after-talks-with-competition-watchdog/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=[[Press Gazette]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

== UK Magazine ==

The UK version of the magazine, published by [[Haymarket Group|Haymarket]] Consumer Publications Ltd, is focused mainly on consumer electronics, gadgetry and lifestyle products, such as [[iPod]]s and fast cars, to [[computers]] and men's clothing. Like its U.S. equivalent, Stuff UK contains a scantily clad woman on the front page (with a small number of further photos inside the magazine), but as the model is clothed this is not considered pornography in Britain. There are multiple in depth features, such as product reviews of laptops, digital audio ([[MP3]]) players, digital cameras (compact and [[Single-lens reflex camera|SLR]]), as well as advertising. Regular features include an "adrenaline junkie" article, and speculative pages about upcoming technology, such as the "rumour mill" and the "Next big thing?" on the last page.

Haymarket Media Group CEO Kevin Costello said at the time of the sale: "''Stuff'' is a truly iconic brand, trusted by its tech-loving followers to entertain, educate, and inspire. It's been a big part of the Haymarket story, but our strategic focus has shifted, and ''Stuff'' needs a new home, where the brand can really achieve its potential."

"Hot Stuff" is the news section that features new or unreleased products. Top 10s of currently available items are featured toward the back of the magazine. These include products in the range of portable media players, phones, computers, laptops, digital cameras, televisions, video recorders, hi-fi, home cinema, gaming, home and sports. There are dedicated pages for opinions and readers mail and a "My gadget life" column in towards the front of the magazine that features an interview with a well known person about the technology that helps them.

== British edition ==

The circulation of ''Stuff'' UK is around 92,000 copies a month[citation needed], placing it as one of the best-selling gadget magazine in the UK, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

The British version of the magazine is focused on gadgets, games, and gear, including innovative and exciting consumer electronics. "Hot Stuff" is the news section concerned with new or forthcoming products. Top 10s of currently available items are featured toward the back of the magazine.

== PodcastAmerican edition ==

The American edition of ''Stuff'' was launched in 1999 by Dennis's US arm. Spun off from a regular section in another of the group's titles, ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'', ''Stuff'''s American edition featured reviews of consumer electronics alongside other articles of interest to a predominantly male audience. In June 2007, all but one of Dennis's US titles were sold to private equity firm [[Quadrangle Group]],<ref>[http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-dennis-publishing-sold-to-quadrangle-group-will-hold-onto-week-and-maxi Dennis Publishing Sold To Quadrangle Group; Will Hold Onto Week and Maxim UK]</ref> which closed the magazine later the same year.

The producers of the UK version of the magazine also produce weekly '[[podcasts]]' which are released every Friday. The content includes similar but more up to date content as the magazine. These are usually around 25-30 minutes in length and feature news about [[technology]], the podline (where listeners questions are answered), reviews and comparisons of gadgets and an instant expert feature which provides the listener with five interesting points about the selected subject; past instant expert features include [[HSDPA]], [[ISO]] and [[HDMI]]. A gaming feature is also a regular feature of the show and is presented by [[Frag Dolls]] UK; a group of three girls (Jam, Kitt and Sarin) hired by [[Ubisoft]] to promote games. A Game of the week is selected out of recently released titles as well as gaming related news, reviews and speculation.

== Malaysian edition ==

The podcast is free and is available via iTunes (the Apple site for downloading [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] and MP3 audio files) or can be downloaded via their website (www.stuffmag.co.uk) where older episodes are archived. The iTunes option provides higher sound quality, thumbnails and chapter points to provide the listener with easier navigation. Creative Zen owners can use the ZenCast organiser. Regular listeners can also subscribe to future episodes by pasting links into their podcast software application or alternatively subscribe via [[iTunes]].

Founded in 2004, ''Stuff'' Malaysia is one of the country's leading and best-selling consumer electronics, technology, and lifestyle magazines. It is published by Catcha Lifestyle Publications Sdn. Bhd.

== VideosSingapore edition ==

''Stuff'' magazine has been locally published in Singapore since 2004. The magazine gained recognition and established itself as a leading name in the consumer electronics and tech lifestyle segment in Singapore. Its [http://www.stuff.tv/sg website] launched in December 2013. The magazine was also relaunched and published by content owner Haymarket Media Group.'' Stuff ''Singapore closed in January 2018.

[http://www.stuff.tv/ Stuff.tv] was a temporary secondary site for the UK magazine where short videos are uploaded to be played by visitors. Episodes are streamed as the user watches in a similar way to video broadcasting sites. The videos are edited together into short videos to a professional standard. The first episode is "Tested to Destruction" and is a deathmatch between the ever popular, ubiquitous [[iPod nano]] and a Sansa e250. Three tests are carried out involving a car, a toilet and rifle in order to simulate the effects of 'real life' damage to gadgets.

== Indian edition ==

The site is a logical follow up to the success of the videos that the team posted on YouTube where videos of the team could be found demonstrating new gadgets such as the Sinclair C5, the human hydro-foil bike as well as technology related on products such as the [[Samsung]] X820 mobile phone, eye-Theatres and the [[Asus]] AI Guru S1 [[Skype]] phone.

''Stuff'' India, the Indian edition of ''Stuff'', launched on 1 December 2008 with a cover price of Rs. 100 ($2). The magazine launched with a print run of 40,000 copies. ''Stuff'' India is edited by Nishant Padhiar, formerly the editor of ''T3'' and consultant editor on ''[[AV MAX]]''.

== South African edition ==

Videos are now available as [[vidcast]]s on the website and can be viewed online in a similar way to before or subscribed to via iTunes. Chapters are placed in the short video clips for easy navigation and new player controls are used to play, scan through the video and to adjust the volume or size of the video. New videos are available each Friday and special ones are uploaded to cover events such as the launch of a new product or the [[Consumer Electronics Show]].

''Stuff'' South Africa was published under license by Times Media between 2007 and December 2012.<ref>{{cite news| date = 2012-12-13| author = Gill Moodie | title = Wertheim Aymés snapping up Stuff | url = http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/39/85270.html| newspaper = [[Bizcommunity]]| ___location=Johannesburg.}}</ref> In November 2012, the publishers announced that the licence had not been renewed, but that a new publishing venture would continue the title. Circulation has been recorded at 25,811.<ref>{{cite news| date = 2012-12-12| title = Times Media to launch new title, lets go of Stuff | url = http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/367/85192.html| newspaper = [[Bizcommunity]]| ___location=Johannesburg.}}</ref>

== WebsiteMexican edition ==

''Stuff México'' was published under license by Grupo Medios starting June 2012. The magazine launched with a print run of 50,000 copies. ''Stuff México'' is no longer edited since 2015.

The website for Stuff was relaunched on Friday November 17 2006 after being previewed at the Best of Stuff Show between November 3 and 5th. It has a new look, layout and content. The new site combines the features of both the older sites into one. New features such as blog entries, reviews and galleries are included in the site as well as the news, forums podcasts and videos from the older sites.

== Middle Eastern edition ==

==External links==

''Stuff'' Middle East was published under license by [[Motivate Media Group|Motivate Publishing]] in [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]], between 2007 and 2018.

'''Magazines'''

*[http://www.stuff.tv/ Official U.K. site]

*[http://www.stuffmagazine.com/ Official U.S. site]

== Website ==

The website for ''Stuff'' was launched in 2004 and was relaunched in both November 2006 and October 2021.

==References==

'''Publishers'''

{{Reflist}}

*[http://www.haymarketgroup.com/home/ Haymarket Publishing]

*[http://www.dennis.co.uk/IE_index.html/ Dennis Publishing]

==External links==

*[http://mediag8way.com/ MediaG8Way (Philippine publisher)]

* {{official website|www.stuff.tv}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stuff (Magazine)}}

[[Category:Men's magazines]]

[[Category:British1996 magazinesestablishments in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:American1999 magazinesestablishments in the United States]]

[[Category:TurkishMagazines magazinesestablished in 1996]]

[[Category:PhilippineMen's magazines published in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:ScienceMen's andmagazines technologypublished magazinesin the United States]]

[[Category:Men's magazines published in Turkey]]

[[Category:Magazines published in the Philippines]]

[[Category:Monthly magazines published in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:Science and technology magazines published in the United Kingdom]]