Filling what its publisher spotted as a void in the Ontario magazine marketplace, Suburban Life is a new magazine that celebrates living not in the city or at a cottage, but in the suburbs. Its stated aim is to give readers ideas on what to do, where to go and how to make living where they do more enjoyable.
Launched by Oakville, Ont.-based Formula Media Group (a division of Metroland Media Group/Torstar Corp.), Suburban Life will be distributed six times per year by Metroland as a polybagged outsert with selected community newspapers to 210,000 households. It will reach suburban areas of the Golden Horseshoe ranging from Niagara to Uxbridge and Thornhill to Barrie and will be audited by the CCAB.
‘We are confident that advertisers will want to reach these homeowners with their advertising messages,’ says publisher Brad Rome. ‘We have cherry-picked households with an average income of about $118,000. These are people who like to be busy and have money to spend on their home, vehicles, leisure and entertainment.’
Editor Diane Tierney adds that the magazine targets active, energetic readers ages 35- 55 with children. ‘Our editorial topics include home and garden ideas, entertaining tips with recipes, local travel and entertainment, fashion, finance, fitness and more. These suburban readers will also appreciate that all our ideas are practical, achievable and affordable.’
Ad sales director Steve Carey adds: ‘Suburban Life homeowners live in detached homes with a garage and backyard. They like to spend money on things like improving their home and having a vehicle that serves them well for commuting or visiting local attractions. Many issues will include a specially themed advertising supplement that complements the season.’
Profiles of suburban-based Ontario celebrities, such as well-known actors, athletes and media personalities, will be a regular feature of the magazine. Its first issue contains interviews with HGTV host Mike Holmes of Halton Hills, Global TV news anchor Anne-Marie Mediwake of Oakville and Toronto Argonaut Tony Miles of Burlington. References to the magazine’s web edition (www.suburbanlife.ca) will be routinely scattered throughout its print pages.
