Mark Pasetsky's Cover Awards

To purchase this cover of Star Magazine, click here.

Dear Angelina Jolie,

I’m a big fan.

I kinda forgive you for stealing Brad from Jen.  I have to admit it took me a LOOONG time.

And, I understand that unfortunately you are AGAIN going through a rough time.  (This always seems to happen after you’ve had a child and go into hiding!)

Having six kids has to be really tough.

And, now Star Magazine is saying that you have gone into therapy.

Good for you!

I hope it’s going well.

If you’re not in therapy and you are doing well - I have some advice for you!

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This week there are four celebrity weeklies featuring Sarah Palin as the main cover topic.

How People Magazine appealed to both Democrats and Republicans

National Enquirer features Sarah Palin’s dark secrets

Us Weekly’s scandalous Palin cover!

OK! Magazine features Palin & Obama covers!

Plus, there’s a fifth political cover from Globe Magazine

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To purchase this new issue of the National Enquirer, click here!

The National Enquirer is on a roll.

From its John Edwards’ story to this cover featuring Sarah Palin’s dark secrets, I can guarantee that media outlets around the country will read every word of this story.

Then, they will go out and try to break the story on its own!

One of the startling new revelations is an alleged affair that Sarah had with her husband Todd’s business associate.  This is a shocking BOMBSHELL!

And there’s more.

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To buy this issue of People Magazine, click here

It’s beyond fascinating to see how each celebrity weekly handled the Sarah Palin’s story - in addition to how many made this story a FULL COVER!

OK! Magazine’s main line was a “Mother’s Painful Choice” and comes across as very supportive - and appeals to Republicans.

Us Weekly says “Babies, Lies & Scandal” offering a much more tabloid-like angel - and appeals to Democrats.

And now there’s People magazine.

Which party does it appeal to?

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To purchase this issue of Star, visit here.

Just a theory of course - but it does make sense.

In a week where the country is buzzing about Sarah Palin’s teenage pregnant daughter Bristol who is only 17, Star Magazine rolls out a very timely Jamie Lynn Spears cover.

And, according to Star, it looks like all is not well in Jamie Lynn Spears’ land.

In fact it sounds eerily similar to the old days of big sister Britney.

She’s in the middle of a fight for her baby.  There’s a paternity test showdown and off course there’s a big fight over money.

While the overall cover is strong - good image, and as I mentioned - the timing is perfect, there is one problem.

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To buy this issue, click here.

Media industry elitists will look at this cover of Star Magazine and say give me a break.

Newsstand buyers will look at this magazine and purchase it in droves.

YES, even though it has been years since Brad and Jen split.

I still remember that fateful January night - but I digress.

Back to Star’s cover.

This cover works for a few simple reasons.

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A big part of success on the newsstand is timing - and this is BAD timing.

I personally would not have made this the cover this week.

Who is talking about Sarah Jessica Parker right now?

Even if this story is true, this cover has the potential to tank incredibly on the newsstand.

Besides the timing being off, the photo of SJP is weird. It doesn’t even look like her. And it’s not the right photo for a woman who has just been allegedly cheated on by her husband Matthew Broderick. She should look upset - not sexy.

The word cheating is a bad word for celebrity weekly covers. It doesn’t pass my coffee table test. For example, does middle America want to bring this magazine home and drop it on their coffee table?

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Who will be number one on the newsstand?

It looks like People Magazine will retain that title on the newsstand.

But, there is a bit of a shake-up happening in the category when it comes to newsstand sales, which are a key metric for a magazine’s vitality.

Here’s my prediction for the first half of 2008: (This prediction does not include subscription sales):

1. People Magazine
2. Us Weekly
3. InTouch
4. Star
5. National Enquirer
6. OK!
7. Life & Style
8. Globe
9. TV Guide

The official numbers will be out in about a month. But, I bet these are pretty on target.

Thoughts?

Posted by: Mark Pasetsky

Pasetsky’s Cover Critique

Introducing the Life & Style killer.

Star magazine’s photo director should win an award for finding this picture.

I’ve looked at this closely and even after staring at it for quite a bit I can’t tell if Angie’s pregnant or not in the pic.

So the pictures possibly old?

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LAME! LAME! LAME!

Candace, this is one of the worst covers this year and it will tank on the newsstand.

The main line “Body After Baby” falls completely flat and is uninspired.

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