Sports Illustrated's premiere issue of its new women's
magazine, Women/Sport, was profiled by the media over the
weekend. In St. Petersburg, the TIMES' Sharon Ginn wrote
the "meaty" magazine "fills a need." Ginn added that SI's
"talented" writers "visit a number of topics" (ST. PETE.
TIMES, 4/13). In N.Y., the POST's "Media City" section
noted the magazine is "provoking mixed reactions," and the
"dense format should give worried rivals like Conde Nast a
clue on how to make their competing women's magazines
distinct when they launch later this year" (N.Y. POST,
4/14). The N.Y. TIMES' Robert Lipsyte called SI Women/Sport
"a proud fanzine with little information on fitness,
cosmetics or participation" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/13).
AD TIME: In N.Y., Contance Hays wrote that advertisers
"seem to have embraced the concept" of Sports Illustrated
Women/Sport, which targets the "Title IX generation." Some
"marketing all-stars" are featured in the issue, including
Ford, Fila, Nissan, Panasonic, Spalding and Virginia Slims.
Hays also notes ads that "are not necessarily found in other
sports magazines," including Ralph Lauren's woman fragrance,
Polo Sport and Ultra Slim Fast (N.Y. TIMES, 4/14).
