New tabloid print publication, The Static, announces its launch this week.
The Static and its team of expert editors promise to bring freshness, creativity, originality and quality journalism to the creative and media sectors.
The Static will cover the stories that really matter, and the voices readers need to hear from, all in one place. It will also offer something readers and advertisers have been missing for too long: high quality regular print media.
The Static’s stand-out colour tabloid look, and partnerships with the best designers, cartoonists and illustrators will be a visual representation of the best of the commercial creative world it represents.
Its launch illustration – a play on the infamous VW ‘Lemon’ ad – was created by Thea Bryant, an illustrator who has created for Adidas, Team GB, Amnesty International and more.
The Static will not just be print-first, but almost print-only, with copies delivered to subscribers. You won’t be able to follow The Static on Instagram, or get all of its stories for free on its website or Substack.
Its infrequent email newsletter will keep the community informed about what’s happening in the coming issues, and subscriptions and ad bookings are open now, for a September launch issue.
From day one, a limited rack circulation in key creative industry offices and hubs will put the newspaper directly into the hands of readers. This means advertisers and writers will be guaranteed a reach already likely to exceed that of online competitors.
The Static will be working hard to get the stories and writers that really matter out into the world, and welcomes pitches from everyone – however, it will not run press releases.
Behind the magazine are some of the industry’s most senior and respected editors and voices, who will work with a range of freelance writers to bring The Static to life each month.
Omar Oakes, formerly founder and editor in chief at The Media Leader, media and technology editor at Campaign heads up The Static’s media and broadcast coverage.
Tom Banks, former editor at Design Week and creative editor at The Drum, will run The Static’s design and advertising coverage.
Emily Gosling, formerly senior writer at Creative Review, acting editor at Design Week, and deputy editor at It’s Nice That will head up The Static’s Life section.
The founder and publisher of The Static is Claire Foss, a communications strategist who has worked in the creative industries in both journalism and PR for two decades. She has founded and run businesses in the creative sector, and as a journalist, has worked at or written for Haymarket, William Reed, the BBC, Channel 4 and more.
Behind the stand-out design of The Static is Phoebe Willison, specialist in publication design, and the designer of Scottish print events tabloid The Skinny.
Static publisher Claire Foss said:
“We want to tell a different story about our industry, and as systems seem to accelerate away from us, we know that now is the time to try something new.
“Everyone’s LinkedIn is different, everyone’s Reddit, everyone’s Substack – at a time when we desperately need to be having the same conversations. The platforms that once felt so hopeful are making us depressed, harming the industry, and killing the journalism we need. Media plurality is vital, and we will play our part in that.
“The creative industries are one of the most visible, valuable industries in the world and we take up a lot of space in people’s lives. So we owe it to ourselves, and to everyone else, to understand what’s really going on – and have some fun along the way.
“The Static still believes that what this industry does and what it creates matters. We aren’t here for slop, volume and algorithm tweaking for addicted consumers. We are here to make something great, and support those who make great things.
“We hope that people will support that by subscribing and advertising to bring The Static to life.”
Omar Oakes, The Static’s contributing editor, media, says:
“Only two industries refer to the people they serve as ‘users’: tech platforms and drug dealers. Journalism should know better but too many publications have played this game (badly) for too long.
“The Static is doing something I didn’t think anyone would actually attempt: building a serious, independent editorial product for this industry that defiantly sits outside the platform economy.
“Print-only, subscription-led, no press-release churn: it’s a genuine alternative model and I’m convinced the industry is ready for it.”
Tom Banks, contributing editor, design and advertising,:
“Those in creative jobs love and create clever, funny, thoughtful, beautiful and insightful work. They also like to fill their own lives with it.
“But most of the media we interact with daily now doesn’t reflect that. Those working in the creative industries make fun, potent, interesting things for a living, yet we’re often served something that’s low quality, algorithmic and optimised. It’s what we’re given rather than what we ask for.
“Why can’t those in the design and advertising industries not only be offered something that reflects their work lives but also their tastes, served up as a curation rather than a bombardment?
“Design, advertising and media face many of the same issues and we think there’s power in coming together to shape the industry we all want.”
Emily Gosling, contributing editor, ‘Life’ section:
“Advertising, design and media may be businesses, but within them are people.
“And while the industry around them is increasingly fractured, these people came into their jobs because of the way they connected culture and the world, and how they were able to be part of the bigger picture.
“While people may feel sidelined in favour of machines, we are here to stand up for that culture, those connections and the value of the best of human creativity. I want to look at what it takes to help humans in this industry.
“People are looking for meaningful ways to spend time offline that offer real value. That’s what The Static is here for. Great design, beautiful print, important stories.”. “
