the games market
➤U
.S. Video Game
DOLLAR Sales Growth
2012: 14.8 Billion dollars
“No other sector has experienced the same explosive
growth as the computer and video game industry.
Our creative publishers and talented workforce continue to accelerate advancement and pioneer new
products that push boundaries and unlock entertainment experiences. These innovations in turn
drive enhanced player connectivity, fuel
demand for products, and encourage
the progression of an expanding and
diversified consumer base.”
➤U
.S. Video Game
UNIT Sales Growth
2012: 188 Million units
The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service;
Games Market Dynamics: U.S.
Michael D. Gallagher
President and CEO of ESA
15
OR
%
7
6
Percentage of
US households
that play video
games
Percentage Growth
2o
ut
of
3
Projected Annual Growth Rate
2010-2014
Video Games
10
Television
Subscriptions
5
Recorded
Music
0
the market
demographic
brand power
Filmed
Entertainment
circulation
the model
ad partners
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers 2010-2014 Global Entertainment and Media Outlook
sub. study
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demographic
84% MALE
$
Median Age
32
T12-17
14%
A18-24
17%
A18-34
43%
A35+
43%
$65,800 Median HH Income
69% Attended/Graduated College
70% High School Grad+
+
*2013 Game Informer Subscriber Study
Active Lifestyles Beyond The Games
69% Single/Never Married
22% Married
60% Employed
48% Employed Full Time
The Game Informer audience is an active and involved, heavy consumer.
i Game Informer readers are active, career professionals who are homeowners, car owners,
and enjoy above-average incomes to support thier lifestyle.
i Our readers are frequent consumers purchasing electronics, sporting goods, clothes,
furnishings, insurance and more.
i Our readers want to be entertained. They dine out, go to movies, and travel regularly..
i Our readers have a passion for video games.
i Game Informer is their #1 source to fuel that passion.
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
the model
ad partners
sub. study
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brand power
Over the course of 23 years,
the brand power of Game Informer evolved beyond
“The Final Word on Computer & Video Games” and into
“The World’s #1 Computer & Video Game Magazine.”
That’s an official
7,629,995
subscribers
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
the model
ad partners
sub. study
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...which is more
people than the
entire population
of Switzerland!
tech specs
contacts
circulation and brand reach
2013 AAM Top 20
Rank
1
AARP The Magazine
22,274,096
AARP Bulletin
Game Informer
22,244,820
7,629,995
3
Better Homes And Gardens
7,615,581
5
Good Housekeeping
4,348,641
6
Reader’s Digest
4,288,529
7
Family Circle
4,092,525
8
National Geographic
4,029,881
9
People
3,527,541
10
Woman’s Day
3,311,803
11
Time
3,289,377
12
Ladies’ Home Journal
3,225,863
13
Sports Illustrated
3,023,197
14
Cosmopolitan
3,015,858
15
Taste of Home
2,975,929
16
Prevention
2,872,944
17
Southern Living
2,815,523
18
AAA Living
2,414,108
19
O, The Oprah Magazine
2,386,601
20
Glamour
2,327,793
2
the market
Total Paid & Verified Circulation
(Second Half 2013)
Publication Name
3
demographic
brand power
circulation
the model
365,558,082
Annual Impressions Through Syndication
In addition to the already impressive
circulation, newspapers throughout
the U.S. publish Game Informer’s
Reviews, Previews and Top 10 Lists
in print and online on a weekly basis
and expand GI’s impact and reputation.
Chicago Tribune
Star Tribune
Richmond Times-Dispatch
The Spokesman Review (WA)
The Hartford Courant
Philadelphia Daily News
Wichita Eagle (KS)
Ft. Worh Star-Telegram (TX)
The Record (NJ)
The Sun Herald (MS)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Belleville News-Democrat (MO)
The Florida Times-Union
Detoit Free Press
Kansas City Star (MO)
The Waterloo Courier (IA)
The State (SC)
Merced Sun-Star (CA)
and more...
ad partners
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a winning model
Game Informer’s approach is direct and has been for over 23 years:
Circulation
Men’s Category
Sell subscriptions face-to-face in an environment where active video
game players are most likely to be found...video game stores.
The World’s Largest Specialty Game Retailer
Over 4,400 U.S. Stores and Growing
Game Informer:
7.6 Million
Store Advisor Perspective
Sean Allen
GameStop Store Manager
“At GameStop, selling a subscription to Game
Informer is like selling candy in a candy
store. Knowing that my customers are into
games, I lead them to the best magazine on
the shelf, in the same way that I lead them to
the best games on the shelf. I just let my customers know what I believe...Game Informer
Magazine is the most entertaining games
magazine, and hands-down, the best resource
you’ll ever find.”
Sports Illustrated:
3.0 Million
ESPN:
2.1 Million
Maxim:
2.0 Million
Men’s Health:
1.8 Million
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
the model
ad partners
sub. study
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tech specs
contacts
ad partners
Consumer Advertising Partners
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
the model
ad partners
sub. study
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contacts
independent subscriber study
Reading Game Informer
91%
of subscribers have
made a purchase
after seeing/reading
about a product
in GI.
Time Spent Reading Each Issue
86%
Read at least
MEAN: 2.7
Half or More
of Every Issue
hrs
4 or more hrs.......21%
3 to 4hrs..........................16%
2 to 3 hrs....................................18%
1 to 2 hrs...............................................27%
45%
23%
18%
8%
6%
0%
1/2 to 1 hr........................................................14%
Less than 1/2 hr.................................................4%
Don’t even read it..............................................0%
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
the model
ad partners
read all or almost all
read about three quarters
read about half
read about a quarter
skim only
don’t read
sub. study
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independent subscriber study
Influence
Affinity
84%, which is
over 6.4 Million
Game Informer
readers subscribe
to no other
video games
magazine.
91%, which is
91% with GI and enjoy
are very satisfied
6,942,900
of subscribers have
made a purchase
after seeing/reading
about a product
in GI.
reading the magazine each
month.
68%, which is
5,188,400
74%, which is
5,646,200
of subscribers agree that
the ads in GI provide
them with important
information about
products.
trust Game
92% Informer’s reviews.
agree that GI
influences their
purchases.
97% them with better,
agree GI provides
more reliable buying
information than any other
games magazine.
Do you plan to renew your
subscription to Game Informer?
Yes......................................67%
Not sure..............................31%
No.........................................2%
What other video game publications do you read regularly? (at
least three out of four issues)
agree GI is the
80% most entertaining
games magazine they currently
read.
Official Xbox Magazine...........15%
PlayStation Official Magazine.12%
Why did you initially subscribe to
Game Informer?
save their copies
77% for reference.
For magazine & discount.......65%
For the discount only.............29%
Gift........................................6%
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
the model
ad partners
sub. study
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tech specs
contacts
independent subscriber study
Purchasing Habits
Game Informer Readers
CURRENTLY OWN:
Game Informer Readers
PLAN TO BUY (in the next 6 months):
PURCHASING SOURCES
PC 41%
3,128,000
PlayStation 3
62% 4,730,000
PlayStation 4
TBD
TBD
PlayStation Vita 11%
839,000
Nintendo DSi
14% 1,068,000
Nintendo DS Lite
17% 1,297,000
Nintendo Wii
35% 2,670,000
Xbox 360
72% 5,493,000
Xbox One
TBD
TBD
PC 11%
839,000
PlayStation 3
22%
1,678,000
PlayStation 4
60%
4,578,000
PlayStation Vita 3%
228,000
Nintendo DSi
5%
381,000
Nintendo DS Lite
3%
228,000
Nintendo Wii
12%
915,000
Xbox 360
14%
1,068,000
Xbox One
39%
2,975,000
(computer/video games including
handhelds and video game systems)
GameStop.........................96%
Best Buy...........................47%
Wal-Mart........................46%
Amazon.com..................29%
Target...........................30%
GameStop.com............19%
eBay/Half.com............12%
*2013 Game Informer Subscriber Study
FREQUENCY OF SHOPPING FOR GAMES:
9%
14%
8%
24%
21%
13%
6%
3%
Every Day
2-3 days per week
4-6 days per week
Once a week
Once every 2 weeks
Once a month
Once every 2 or 3 months
Less than once every 2 or 3 months
the market
demographic
brand power
MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE
when deciding which computer/video
games/systems to purchase:
92%
72%
61%
56%
24%
circulation
Personal experience/preference
Friends/word of mouth
Magazines
Websites
TV ads
the model
ad partners
NEW GAME PURCHASE HABITS:
49%
16%
17%
16%
2%
sub. study
Pre-order
Purchase with the first week
Purchase within the first month
Wait more than a month to purchase
Does not apply/does not purchase new games
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tech specs
contacts
2014 advertising rates
Rate Card #24
3.5 Million Rate Base Guarantee
4-Color
1X 3X 6X 12X24X36X 48X 60X
Full Page
$205,228$199,094$193,052$187,335$179,834$174,448$169,209$164,110
1/2 Page
$123,131$119,446$115,862$112,415$107,898$104,666$101,505 $98,439
1/3 Page
$94,402$91,566$88,803$86,162$82,734$80,241$77,828$75,483
B &W
Full Page
1/2 Page
1/3 Page
$184,692$179,177$154,503$149,847$143,852$139,548$135,335$131,297
$110,817$107,500$92,702 $89,912$86,310$83,732 $81,202 $78,780
$84,951$82,421$71,077$68,923$66,162$64,185$62,245$60,398
premium positions
2nd Cover Spread
3rd Cover Spread
TOC-RHP Page
1-1/2 Masthd Spread
First Form
Guaranteed Position
Earned
Earned
Earned
Earned
Earned
Earned
Rate
Rate
Rate
Rate
Rate
Rate
+
+
+
+
+
+
25%
20%
15%
15%
15%
10%
Noadditionalchargeforbleeds.CirculationverifiedbyABC.Positioningofadvertisementsisatthediscretionofthepublisherunlessotherwisespecifiedandacknowledgedbythepublisherinwriting.Advertisements
aresubjecttoacceptancebypublisher.Thepublisherreservestherighttorefuse,alterorcancelanyadvertisingforanyreasonatanytime.Publishershallnotbeliableforanyfailuretoprint,publishorcirculateallor
any portion of any issue if such failure is due to acts of God, strikes, accidents, legal action or other circumstances beyond the publisher’s control. Commissions: 15% commissions to recognized agencies.
the market
demographic
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circulation
the model
ad partners
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2014 specs and closing dates
2014 Issue closing Dates
Insertion
Cover Date
Insertion
Due Date
Material
Due Date
mechanical requirements
On Sale
Ad Size
Bleed
Trim
Non-Bleed
12/13/13
2-Page Spread
18 1/4” x 11”
18” x 103/4”
171/2” x 101/4”
Full Page
9 1/4” x 11”
9” x 103/4”
81/2” x 101/4”
January
10/11/13
11/8/13
February
11/8/13
12/6/13
1/17/14
March
12/6/13
1/10/14
2/14/14
1/2 Page Vertical*
45/8” x 11”
41/2” x 103/4”
41/4” x 101/4”
April
1/10/14
2/7/14
3/14/14
1/2 Page Horizontal (bottom)
91/4” x 51/2”
9” x 5 3/8”
81/2” x 5 1/8”
May
2/7/14
3/7/14
4/18/14
June
3/14/14
4/11/14
5/16/14
1/3 Page Vertical*
3 1/8” x 11”
3” x 103/4”
21/2” x 101/4”
July
4/11/14
5/9/14
6/20/14
1/3 Page Horizontal (bottom)
91/4” x 3 7/8”
9" x 33/4”
81/2” x 31/4”
August
5/9/14
6/13/14
7/18/14
September
6/13/14
7/11/14
8/15/14
October
7/11/14
8/8/14
9/19/14
November
8/15/14
9/12/14
10/17/14
December
9/12/14
10/17/14
11/21/14
Digital Files Material Requirements
PDF/X1-a (preferred format)
**Please contact production first if you plan to submit other file formats
Live Matter: Keep live matter 1/4” from trimmed sides. Text across the gutter should be avoided.
Gutter Allowance: 3/8” on each side of gutter, 3/4” for two page spread.
*Allow 1/8” bleed on only one side of the ad for 1/3 page vertical and 1/2 page vertical ads.
Maximum Ink Density: 300% • Linescreen: 133lpi
If proofs are not provided with materials, Game Informer assumes no
liability for ad reproduction quality and content accuracy. Laser Inkjet
proofs or any other proofs supplied that are not SWOP certified contract
proofs are accepted for file content only.
CONVERT: All Spot colors need to be converted to CYMK colors before output to PDF-X1a.
All advertising copy and art is subject to publisher approval.
REGISTRATION: Standard registration marks and crop marks must be
included and they should appear at least 1/8” outside of the trim area to avoid
overlapping creative. Pages should be centered and cropped to page trim size
plus bleed.
MEDIA LABELING REQUIREMENTS:
MEDIA: CD-R (ISO9660 and MAC), DVD-R.
Mailing & Shipping Instructions:
FTP:
12.25.107.16
username: advert
password: myl@k3h0M3
For all mechanical materials/specification questions contact:
PROOF REQUIREMENTS: Please submit two hard-copy proofs at 100%
scale made from supplied PDF/X1-a file.
For a guarantee in color reproduction, advertisers must submit TWO SWOP
certified contract proofs at 100% scale (must include color bar & indicate
proofing system used on the proofs)
Issue Date, Advertiser, Agency Name, Contact Person, Phone Number,
Vendor Contact, File Name/Number, Return Address, List of Contents (print
of disk contents)
Curtis Fung • Production Director
724 North First Street, 3rd Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55401
tel: (612) 486-6058
fax: (612) 486-6101
curtis@gameinformer.com
Advertiser Furnished Pieces
Standard trims for inserts are as follows:
Proofs must be made from supplied PDF/X1-a file.
Standard full size insert: 1/8” trim on all faces – finished size of 9” x 103/4”
Acceptable contract proofs are Fuji Pictro, Fuji Final Proof, Epson Contract
Proof, Kodak Approval, IRIS, Digital Match Print.
Less than full-size insert: 1/8” on gutter and foot, 1/2” on gutter for binding
For an up-to-date list of SWOP approved color proofing systems, please visit:
www.swop.org
Printing Specifications:
SWOP Printed Web Offset. Perfect bindery.
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
Questions Contact:
Ted Katzung • Circulation Services
tel: (612) 486-6107
fax: (612) 486-6101
ted@gameinformer.com
the model
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Competing Retailer TAgs
Ad creative should not include tags, logos
or references to competing retailers of
GameStop. These retailers include, but are
not limited to Amazon, Best Buy, Target and
Walmart. All advertising copy and art is subject to publisher approval.
Please direct general advertising inquiries to:
Game Informer Magazine
724 North First Street - 3rd Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55401
tel: 612.486.6154
fax: 612.486.6101
WEST
Damon Watson
West Coast Advertising Director
tel: 310.450.3260
fax: 310.450.3571
damon@gameinformer.com
EAST
Suzanne Lang Middaugh
East Coast Advertising Director
tel: 718.789.0162
fax: 612.486.6101
suzanne@gameinformer.com
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contacts
Please direct all general advertising inquiries to:
Game Informer Magazine
724 North First Street – 4th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55401
tel: 612.486.6154
fax: 612.486.6101
advertising sales
WEST
Damon Watson
West Coast Advertising Director
tel: 310.450.3260
fax: 310.450.3571
damon@gameinformer.com
EAST
Suzanne Lang Middaugh
East Coast Advertising Director
tel: 718.789.0162
fax: 612.486.6101
suzanne@gameinformer.com
Janey Stringer
West Coast Ad Sales Associate
tel: 612.486.6104
janey@gameinformer.com
Amy Arnold
East Coast Ad Sales Associate
tel: 541.981.4320
amy@gameinformer.com
MARKETING & promotions
Rachel Castle
Marketing Coordinator
tel: 612.486.6059
fax: 612.486.6101
rachel@gameinformer.com
Mark Burger
Marketing Coordinator
tel: 612.486.6083
fax: 612.486.6101
mark@gameinformer.com
productioN
editorial
Curtis Fung
Production Director
tel: 612.486.6058
fax: 612.486.6101
curtis@gameinformer.com
the market
demographic
brand power
circulation
Andy McNamara
Editor-In-Chief
tel: 612.486.6123
fax: 612.486.6101
andy@gameinformer.com
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