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‘Magazines 2.0’: Mags Join Consumer-Generated Revolution

As the “web 2.0” revolution takes hold online, with the voices of consumers being raised to review, rate and otherwise write about products and services - and with companies becoming increasingly open to harnessing those voices - the magazine industry is suddenly joining the fray.

A number of magazines will begin to feature readers on their covers, as well as within their pages, writes MediaPost. More magazine, for example, has announced 10 finalists for its 2006 contest for more than 40 models, and Dove is also sponsoring a national model search which will include a 40-page “outsert” in the magazine.

Wired, in an April issue, will highlight advertiser Xerox by asking subscribers to submit photos online. The first 5,000 to do so will receive the July issue of the magazine with their own face on the cover.

EastWest magazine is running a cover-model contest, with the editors posting 30 finalists on the web and allowing readers to vote for their favorites, while Muslim Girl magazine runs a full-time cover-model contest.