Business Equation Doesn't Ad Up

After more than 80 years, one of our oldest rivals, Graphic Arts Monthly (GAM), has ceased publication. Its last day of existence was officially April 30. Its parent, Reed Business (RBI), decided not to sell the publication, which will now go quietly into that good night.

As a journalist and as a reader of magazines, I find it painful when a publication I've long followed bites the dust. Or changes its format — not size, but editorial direction. When this happened one time with another publication, I called circulation, told them I was dropping my 'script, then spent a minute or two recounting how the magazine I loved was going to crap. Of course, the circ woman was probably rolling her eyes and playing Tetris, but it made me feel better.