See Also: Target audience
From: Dan Stiffler <calendar-girls@adelphia.net>, 04 and 05 Feb 2003
Subject: PLAYBOY: Your Father's Oldsmobile?
Each generation must define its own culture; who else could? But this fact is no reason that PLAYBOY cannot be as cool as a PT Cruiser.
I disagree about "too much history." As Americans, we seem to be going through a period when history, especially American history, is a desired commodity. Two of the best selling books over the last two years have been histories: Sea Biscuit and the John Adams biography. The new has always been worshipped, but many people now also respect the past.
Furthermore, I disagree with the popular notion that the 18-35 demographic does not read anymore. This is flat false. Who's reading those Lord of the Rings books? Who's hanging out in the graphic novel section of the book store? Indeed, who's sipping $4 coffees at the Starbucks in the Barnes and Noble? Or sleuthing around the Strand in NYC?
Our nation is not devoid of culture and sophistication. It wasn't in the 50s and it is even less devoid today. The democratization of education is a wonderful thing.
I've said it before. I will say it again: PLAYBOY must not condescend to its audience. Enough magazines already do that. The details of sophistication change with each generation but the attitude doesn't.
PLAYBOY should be your father's '49 Merc: chopped, lowered, with lake pipes that rumble sex.