Vice (magazine) facts for kids
 |
|
The Syria Issue (November 2012)
|
|
| Editor-in-chief | Ellis Jones |
|---|---|
| Categories | Lifestyle |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Circulation | 900,000 (worldwide) 80,000 (UK) |
| Publisher | Vice Media |
| Founder |
|
| Founded | Montreal, Canada |
| First issue | October 1994 (as Voice of Montreal) |
| Based in | New York City, United States |
| ISSN | 1077-6788 |
| OCLC | 30856250 (Online Computer Library Center) |
Vice is a magazine from Canada and the United States. It writes about lifestyle, art, culture, and news. It started in 1994 in Montreal as a magazine for the punk scene. Its founders later created a larger company called Vice Media. This company includes the magazine, a website, a news team, a film company, and a music label. As of 2015, Ellis Jones is the editor-in-chief of the magazine.
In May 2023, Vice Media faced financial difficulties. It filed for a special type of bankruptcy to help it reorganize. This was part of a plan for new investors to buy most of its assets. In February 2024, the CEO announced more job cuts. He also said that the Vice.com website would stop publishing new articles.
Contents
The Story of Vice Magazine
How Vice Started
The magazine was started by Suroosh Alvi, Gavin McInnes, and Shane Smith. Gavin and Shane were friends since childhood. It began in October 1994 as Voice of Montreal. This was a part of another publication called Revue Images.
The founders wanted to create jobs and help the community. Later, they bought out the original publisher. In 1996, they changed the magazine's name to Vice.
Moving to New York
A Canadian millionaire named Richard Szalwinski bought the magazine. He moved its operations to New York City in the late 1990s. After moving, the magazine became known for its bold and sometimes controversial content.
Under Szalwinski, a few stores opened in New York City. These stores sold fashion items advertised in the magazine. But due to changes in the economy, the three original founders bought the Vice brand back. The stores then closed.
Growing Globally
The British version of Vice started in 2002. Andy Capper was its first editor. He said the magazine would cover "the things we're meant to be ashamed of."
By the end of 2007, Vice magazine had 13 international editions. The company also had a music label and an online video channel. The magazine started to feature more serious topics, like conflicts in Iraq. One of the founders, Suroosh Alvi, explained that "The world is much bigger."
Gavin McInnes left the company in 2008. He said it was due to "creative differences."
Recent Changes and Challenges
By 2012, the company was known as "Vice Media." In December 2012, Vice bought the fashion magazine i-D. By February 2013, Vice had 24 global editions. It had a worldwide circulation of over a million copies.
At this time, Alex Miller became the editor-in-chief of the UK edition. Vice Media had 800 employees around the world. It also worked with about 3,500 freelance writers and artists.
In February 2015, Ellis Jones became the editor-in-chief of Vice magazine. Alex Miller was named global head of content.
In 2023, Vice Media filed for bankruptcy. This meant it was having serious financial problems. New companies agreed to buy the company for $225 million. In 2024, The New York Times reported that Vice had faced many job cuts and losses. It became an example of struggles in the digital media world.
Who Works at Vice
- Shane Smith – Co-Founder
- Suroosh Alvi – Co-Founder
- Ellis Jones – Editor-in-Chief
What Vice Writes About
Topics and Style
Vice magazine features work from journalists, writers, artists, and photographers. Both the online and magazine content has changed over time. It now covers more serious news topics. Before, it focused more on independent arts and pop culture.
Because many different people write for Vice, its content can vary a lot. Its political and cultural views are often not clear. The articles cover many subjects, often things not found in mainstream news. The magazine's editors like "immersion journalism." This means reporters dive deep into a topic. They experience it firsthand. This style is seen as a different way of reporting news.
Vice has published entire issues about specific groups of people. These include Iraqi people, Native Americans, and Russian people. They have also covered people with mental disorders and mental disabilities. Vice also publishes a yearly guide for students in the United Kingdom.
Political Views
In a 2008 interview, Shane Smith talked about the magazine's politics. He said, "We're not trying to say anything politically in a left/right way." He added that they don't believe in either side. He felt that money runs America and other places.
Vice Online
|
|
| Owner | Vice Media |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2011 |
| Current status | Active |
Vice first launched its website as Viceland.com in 1996. In 2007, it started VBS.tv, which focused on videos. It offered free shows like The Vice Guide to Travel. In 2011, Viceland.com and VBS.tv combined to become Vice.com.
In 2012, Vice Media became the main company for Vice magazine and other projects. These included Vice News on HBO and the Vice.com website. The company grew and added more online channels. Some of these were Munchies.tv, Motherboard.tv, Noisey.com, and Broadly.
On February 22, 2024, the CEO of Vice Media announced changes. He said that the Vice.com website would no longer publish new content.
Books by Vice
In 2007, Vice published The Vice Photo Book. It was a collection of photos from different photographers. The book showed photos from various sections of the magazine. It also included interviews with some of the photographers.
What People Think of Vice
From the start, Vice was known for being bold and challenging. In 2010, it was called "gonzo journalism for the YouTube generation." This means it had a very personal and often adventurous style of reporting. As the magazine grew, it tried to keep its edgy reputation. It also wanted to appeal to a wider audience.
Awards and Recognition
- Wins
- ASME Reader's Choice Best Cover Contest for "Best Travel and Adventure" for June 2017 issue
- ASME Reader's Choice Best Cover Contest for "Most Delicious" for March 2016 issue
- ASME Anthology of Best American Magazine Writing for "Fixing the System" interview, 2016
- ASME Reader's Choice Award for New and Politics Cover, 2015
- ASME Reader's Choice Award for Business and Tech Cover, 2015
- Ranked number 9 on Ad Age Magazine A-list (first free publication to be recognized), 2010
- Nominations
- GLAAD Media Award, Outstanding Magazine Article for "On the Run", 2017
- ASME Single Topic Issue for the Prison Issue, 2016
- ASME Feature Photography for "Deep-Fried America on a Stick", 2014
- ASME General Excellence for July, November and December issues, 2012
See also
In Spanish: Vice (revista) para niños
- Creative nonfiction
- The Sacrament, a 2013 film about fictional Vice journalists
