Sunday, Jan 18, 2009    Text size: 

Retail chain Barnes & Noble chalked up "strong growth" for Unzipped magazine; its October 2008 issue featuring performer Johnny Hazzard on the cover sold "the most copies of any issue in the past two years," the company said.

The January 2009 edition of Men magazine crowning performer Reese Rideout as its "Man of the Year" was its fastest-selling edition for Barnes & Noble in two years. Unzipped Media cited a "45 percent sell-through rate" as its highest since the March 2007 issue.

Additionally, the January '09 Freshmen magazine featuring twink model Trent Davis was that property's hottest single issue in sixteen months.

Group publisher Dustin Tyner said the increased sales figures "show the power behind these iconic titles. In spite of these uncertain economic times, the Unzipped Media brands continue to thrive."

He said the company's titles are now available at 350 additional newsstand and retail outlets for 2009, including the Walden Books chain.

In related news, Unzipped Media parent company Regent Entertainment Media Inc., together with Here Networks LLC, recently announced a merger with PlanetOut Inc., forming GLBT entertainment powerhouse Here Media. However, Unzipped Media will continue to operate separately, and will not be a part of the newly merged company.