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
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Filmed
Entertainment
circulation
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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+
$65,800 Median HH Income
69% Attended/Graduated College
70% High School Grad+
+
69% Single/Never Married
22% Married
43%
*2013 Game Informer Subscriber Study
60% Employed
48% Employed Full Time
Active Lifestyles Beyond The Games
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.
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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
6,723,581
total subscribers
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...almost as many
people as the
entire population
of Switzerland!
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Circulation and Brand Reach
2015 AAM Top 20
Rank
Total Paid & Verified Circulation
(June 2014)
Publication Name
1
AARP The Magazine
22,837,736
2
AARP Bulletin
22,183,316
Better Homes And Gardens
Game Informer
7,639,661
7,099,452
5
Good Housekeeping
4,315,330
6
Family Circle
4,015,728
7
National Geographic
3,572,348
8
People
3,510,533
9
Reader’s Digest
3,393,573
10
Woman’s Day
3,288,335
11
TIME
3,286,467
12
Ladies’ Home Journal
3,226,731
13
Sports Illustrated
3,043,698
14
Cosmopolitan
3,019,778
15
Prevention
2,826,547
16
Southern Living
2,804,454
17
Taste of Home
2,501,098
18
O, The Oprah Magazine
2,385,199
19
Glamour
2,318,521
20
Redbook
2,221,393
3
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4
5
demographic brand power
circulation
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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...
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A Winning Model
Game Informer’s approach
is direct and has been for over 23 years:
Sell subscriptions face-to-face in an environment
where active video game players are most likely to
be found... in video game stores. 
Circulation
Men’s Category
Game Informer:
6.7 Million
The World’s Largest Specialty Game Retailer
Over 4,400 U.S. Stores and Growing
Sports Illustrated:
3.2 Million
Maxim:
2.5 Million
ESPN:
2.1 Million
Rolling Stone:
1.4 Million
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Consumer Advertising Partners
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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%
MEAN: 2.7
Read at least
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% read all or almost all
23% read about three quarters
18% read about half
8% read about a quarter
6% skim only
0% don’t read
1/2 to 1 hr........................................................14%
Less than 1/2 hr.................................................4%
Don’t even read it..............................................0%
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Independent Subscriber Study
Influence
84%, which is
over 5.6 Million
Game Informer
readers subscribe
to no other
video games
magazine.
Affinity
91%, which is
91% with GI and enjoy
are very satisfied
6,118,459
of subscribers have
made a purchase
after seeing/reading
about a product
in GI.
reading the magazine each
month.
68%, which is
4,572,035
74%, which is
4,975,450
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%
agree GI is the
80% most entertaining
games magazine they currently
read.
Why did you initially subscribe to Game Informer?
For magazine & discount.......65%
For the discount only.............29%
Gift........................................6%
save their copies
77% for reference.
What other video game publications do you read regularly?
(at least three out of four issues)
Official Xbox Magazine............15%
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Independent Subscriber Study
Purchasing Habits
Game Informer Readers
PURCHASING SOURCES
Game Informer Readers
CURRENTLY OWN
XBox 360
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Nintendo 3DS Nintendo Wii
XBox One
Nintendo Wii U
PSP 15%
48%
43%
35%
33%
32%
27%
17%
computer/video games including
handhelds and video game systems
3,227,000
2,891,000
2,353,000
2,219,000
2,152,000
1,815,000
1,143,000
1,009,000
Game Informer Readers
PLANS TO PURCHASE
(in the next 12 months)
XBox ONE 33% 2,219,000
PlayStation 4 38% 2,555,000
GameStop
Best Buy
Wal-Mart
Amazon.com
Target
GameStop.com
eBay/Half.com
96%
47%
46%
29%
30%
19%
12%
*2014 Game Informer Subscriber Study
FREQUENCY SHOPPING FOR GAMES:
9% Every Day
14% 2-3 days per week
8% 4-6 days per week
24% Once a week
21% Once every 2 weeks
13% Once a month
6% Once every 2 or 3 months
3% Less than once every 2 or 3 months
the market
demographic brand power
MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE
NEW GAME PURCHASE HABITS:
when deciding which computer/video
games/systems to purchase:
92%
72%
61%
56%
24%
circulation
49% Pre-order
16% Purchase with the first week
17% Purchase within the first month
16% Wait more than a month to purchase
2% Does not apply/does not purchase new games
Personal experience/preference
Friends/word of mouth
Magazines
Websites
TV ads
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2015 Advertising Rates
RATE CARD #25
3.5 MILLION RATE BASE GUARANTEE
4-Color
Full Page
1/2 Page
1/3 Page
1X
$215,489
$129,287
$99,122
3X
6X
$209,049 $202,704
$125,419 $121,655
$96,144
$93,243
12X
$196,701
$118,036
$90,470
24X
$188,825
$113,293
$86,871
36X
$183,170
$109,899
$84,253
48X
$177,670
$106,581
$81,720
60X
$172,315
$103,360
$79,257
B&W
Full Page
1/2 Page
1/3 Page
$193,926
$116,358
$89,199
$188,136
$112,875
$86,542
$157,339
$94,407
$72,369
$151,044
$90,625
$69,470
$146,525
$87,918
$67,394
$142,102
$85,262
$65,358
$137,862
$82,719
$63,418
PREMIUM POSITIONS
2nd Cover Spread
3rd Cover Spread
TOC-RHP Page
1-1/2 Masthd Spread
First Form
Guaranteed Position
$162,228
$97,337
$74,631
Earned Rate + 25%
Earned Rate + 20%
Earned Rate + 15%
Earned Rate + 15%
Earned Rate + 15%
Earned Rate + 10%
No additional charge for bleeds. Circulation verified by ABC. Positioning of advertisements is at the discretion of the publisher unless otherwise specified and acknowledged by the publisher in writing. Advertisements
are subject to acceptance by publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, alter or cancel any advertising for any reason at any time. Publisher shall not be liable for any failure to print, publish or circulate all or
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.
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2015 Specs and Closing Dates
2015 ISSUE CLOSING DATES
MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ad Size
Bleed
Trim
Non-Bleed
2-Page Spread
181/4” x 11”
18” x 103/4”
171/2” x 101/4”
Full Page
91/4” x 11”
9” x 103/4”
81/2” x 101/4”
2/13/15
1/2 Page Vertical*
45/8” x 11”
41/2” x 103/4”
41/4” x 101/4”
Insertion
Cover Date
Insertion
Due Date
Material
Due Date
On Sale
January
10/10/14
11/7/14
12/12/14
February
11/7/14
12/5/14
1/16/15
March
12/5/14
1/9/15
April
1/9/15
2/6/15
3/13/15
1/2 Page Horizontal (bottom)
91/4” x 51/2”
9” x 53/8”
81/2” x 51/8”
May
2/6/15
3/6/15
4/17/15
1/3 Page Vertical*
31/8” x 11”
3” x 103/4”
21/2” x 101/4”
June
3/13/15
4/10/15
5/15/15
1/3 Page Horizontal (bottom)
91/4” x 37/8”
9" x 33/4”
81/2” x 31/4”
July
4/10/15
5/8/15
6/19/15
August
5/8/15
6/12/15
7/17/15
September
6/12/15
7/10/15
8/14/15
October
7/10/15
8/14/15
9/18/15
November
8/14/15
9/11/15
10/16/15
December
9/11/15
10/9/15
11/20/15
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.
DIGITAL FILES MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS
PRINTING SPECIFICATIONS:
SWOP Printed Web Offset. Perfect bindery.
PDF/X1-a (preferred format)
**Please contact production first if you plan to submit other file formats
CONVERT:
All Spot colors need to be converted to CYMK colors before output to PDF-X1a.
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: CD-R (ISO9660 and MAC), DVD-R.
FTP:
12.25.107.16
username: advert
password: myl@k3h0M3
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)
Proofs must be made from supplied PDF/X1-a file.
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.
All advertising copy and art is subject to publisher approval.
Issue Date, Advertiser, Agency Name, Contact Person, Phone Number,
Vendor Contact, File Name/Number, Return Address, List of Contents (print
of disk contents)
MAILING & SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS:
Standard full size insert: 1/8” trim on all faces – finished size of 9” x 103/4”
Less than full-size insert: 1/8” on gutter and foot, 1/2” on gutter for binding
For questions contact:
Ted Katzung • Circulation Services
tel: (612) 486-6107
fax: (612) 486-6101
[email protected]
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.
For all mechanical materials/specification questions contact:
PLEASE DIRECT GENERAL ADVERTISING INQUIRIES TO:
Curtis Fung • Production Director
724 North First Street, 3rd Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55401
tel: (612) 486-6058
fax: (612) 486-6101
[email protected]
Game Informer Magazine
724 North First Street - 3rd Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55401
tel: 310.450.3260
fax: 612.486.6101
Damon Watson
Advertising Sales Director
tel: 310.450.3260
fax: 310.450.3571
[email protected]
For an up-to-date list of SWOP approved color proofing systems, please visit:
www.swop.org
demographic brand power
Standard trims for inserts are as follows:
COMPETING RETAILER TAGS
MEDIA LABELING REQUIREMENTS:
Acceptable contract proofs are Fuji Pictro, Fuji Final Proof, Epson Contract
Proof, Kodak Approval, IRIS, Digital Match Print.
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ADVERTISER FURNISHED PIECES
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Contact
Please direct all general advertising inquiries to:
Game Informer Magazine
724 North First Street – 4th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55401
tel: 310.450.3260
fax: 612.486.6101
ADVERTISING SALES
Damon Watson
Advertising Sales Director
tel: 310.450.3260
fax: 310.450.3571
[email protected]
Janey Stringer
West Coast Ad Sales Associate
tel: 612.486.6104
[email protected]
Amy Arnold
East Coast Ad Sales Associate
tel: 612.486.6154
[email protected]
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS
Rachel Castle
Marketing Coordinator
tel: 612.486.6059
fax: 612.486.6101
[email protected]
Mark Burger
Marketing Coordinator
tel: 612.486.6083
fax: 612.486.6101
[email protected]
PRODUCTION
EDITORIAL
Curtis Fung
Production Director
tel: 612.486.6058
fax: 612.486.6101
[email protected]
the market
demographic brand power
circulation
Andy McNamara
Editor-In-Chief
tel: 612.486.6123
fax: 612.486.6101
[email protected]
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