Hearst cuts Complex Mag, teams with influencer for new magazine launch

By

Kate Dingwall

Published
Dec 9, 2016

Hearst has made some big moves in its print division today. Hearst has announced that Complex Magazine, in its fourteenth year of running, has published its last issue. Following this announcement, Hearst announced that it will be launching a spin-off of The Food Network Magazine, starring celebrity chef Ree Drummond.

Complex Magazine began in 2002, printing bi-monthly and catering to the sneaker, streetwear, and hip hop scene.  Five years later, Complex launched the Complex Media Network as a rebuttal for the dying print media.Hearst invested $21 million in the Complex Media Network in September 2015, and later went on to acquire Complex Media in April in a 50-50 ownership deal with Verizon.

The company will be shutting down its print publication, in order to focus on its video content and ComplexCon efforts. ComplexCon, a two-day cultural fair in California, launched for the first time earlier this year. Complex also a large number of staffing cut-backs today following this news.

Hearst will now be focusing its efforts on a new glossy food-centric magazine, published bi-anually with the first issue dropping in early 2017. The first issue of the mag will be dedicated to Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman.  The magazine, produced in partnership with Scripps Network Interactive, will feature Drummond’s tips and tricks to hosting, feeding, and entertaining guests.