CTV News Channel: The End of Playboy

After more than 60 years of baring-it-all, Playboy Magazine announced it will no longer publish photos of nude women. The decision is in large part due to scarcity and abundance – in the Internet age, nudity is everywhere. Playboy is far from being the only company impacted by the Internet – from Polaroid to new rooms – it’s rare to find a media company that hasn’t had to evolve to stay relevant in the digital age.

But there is more to it: it’s not just that the Internet has made it easier to access content, the rise of social media has given a voice to the public, who want to see more of themselves represented in the media they consume. That means, we want to see more diversity… and more authenticity. Call it the “Youtube” effect, we want to see more real people.

As the infamous publisher pivots, their brand will both help and hurt them: Brands do well online; name recognizability helps search optimization...  but their brand could also hurt them. In doing away with the centre fold, if Playboy tries to become more like Vice, as has been suggested, the legacy of their brand will likely alienate many.

Watch the full clip online, here.