Meredith launches a new magazine, Sweet July, with Ayesha Curry

Meredith Corporation, the Des Moines, Iowa-based media conglomerate, is doing something rather unexpected amid the coronavirus pandemic: It’s launching a new lifestyle magazine, Sweet July, in collaboration with Ayesha Curry. The quarterly magazine, on selected newsstands this Friday and available for mail-order purchase online today, leverages Curry’s considerable multimedia heat; she’s an actress, TV host (“Ayesha’s Home Kitchen,” “The Great American Baking Show,” etc.), restaurateur, Instagram influencer (with 7.3 million followers) and New York Times best-selling author (“The Seasoned Life”)—and also happens to be one-half of a celebrity power couple (her husband is NBA superstar Stephen Curry). “As the pandemic continues to affect the lives of our readers and their loved ones,” says Doug Olson, president of Meredith Magazines, “Sweet July’s uplifting approach to family, food and community creates a strengthened sense of togetherness that is needed right now.” Curry says that the magazine’s launch edition sets the tone for her new publishing franchise. “The theme for this first issue is all about presence and finding gratitude in life’s moments—big and small,” she tells Ad Age. “It’s a mindset that’s more important than ever right now, and something that can resonate with a lot of people adjusting to their new normal.” Curry’s team pulled together visually-driven features and departments that are meant to create a sense of family-centered oasis. Headlines in the first issue include “Easy weeknight dinners with creative pastas, stir-fries and more delicious dishes,” “Meet 12 amazing founders, makers, and entrepreneurs that inspire,” “Get excited for change with key motivational strategies that will help you renew and stay strong and on course” and “How to stay present with simple techniques that work magic.” As founder and editorial director, Curry directs the content strategy in collaboration with Elizabeth Goodman Artis, Sweet July’s editor-in-chief (who also continues to serve as editor-in-chief of Meredith’s SHAPE magazine). Launch advertisers include Bed Bath & Beyond, Covergirl, OGX (Johnson & Johnson), Allergan Juvéderm, Sleep Number, Delta, Kinky-Curly, Reynolds Wrap and Hillshire Lunchables. Sweet July has a cover price of $9.99 and will have an initial distribution of 400,000 copies.

Meredith launches a new magazine, Sweet July, with Ayesha Curry

Featured Stories