Maxim (magazine)
{{Short description|British men's magazine, founded 1995}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Undisclosed paid|date=December 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2017}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox magazine
| title = Maxim
| logo = Maxim Magazine Logo.svg
| image_file = Maxim magazine, August 2017.jpg
| image_caption = Cover of the August 2017 issue, featuring Alexis Ren
| editor2 = Sardar Biglari
(February 2014–present)
| editor_title2 = Owner
| editor_title = Editor-in-chief
| founder = Felix Dennis
| founded = 1995, United Kingdom
| frequency = Monthly
| category = Men's
| total_circulation = 928,753{{cite web |url= http://abcas3.auditedmedia.com/ecirc/magtitlesearch.asp |title= eCirc for Consumer Magazines |date= January 14, 2017 |publisher= Alliance for Audited Media |access-date= January 15, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190430012223/http://abcas3.auditedmedia.com/ecirc/magtitlesearch.asp |archive-date= April 30, 2019 |url-status= dead }}
| circulation_year = January 2017
| firstdate = 1995
| country = 17 editions in 76 countries
| language = English, many others
| publisher = Biglari Holdings
| based = New York City
| website = {{Official URL}}
| issn = 1092-9789
}}
Maxim (stylized in all caps) is an international men's magazine, devised and launched in the United Kingdom in 1995, but based in New York City since 1997.{{cite journal|author2=Simon Mowatt|author1=Howard Cox|title=Technological change and innovation in consumer magazine publishing|journal=Technology Analysis and Strategic Management|date=2007|url=http://eprints.worc.ac.uk/229/1/TASM_preprint.pdf|access-date=November 1, 2016}} It is known for its photography of actors, singers and female models whose careers are at their peak. Maxim has a circulation of about 9 million readers each month. Maxim Digital reaches more than 4 million unique viewers each month. Maxim magazine publishes 16 editions, sold in 75 countries worldwide.
History
Maxim was founded by Felix Dennis (1947–2014) in 1995{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/news/2014/06/23/poet-founder-of-maxim-dead-at-dead-at-67.html|title=Poet-founder of Maxim, dead at 67|last=del Castillo|first=Michael|date=June 23, 2014|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=January 7, 2020}} and expanded to the United States in 1997.{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/media/felix-dennis-founder-maxim-week-dies-67/293850|title=Felix Dennis, Founder of Maxim and The Week, Dies at 67|date=June 23, 2014|website=adage.com|language=en|access-date=January 7, 2020}}
In 1999, MaximOnline.com (now maxim.com) was created.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5094509/Lads-mag-Maxim-moves-online-only-after-collapse-in-sales.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/5094509/Lads-mag-Maxim-moves-online-only-after-collapse-in-sales.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Lads' mag Maxim moves online only after collapse in sales|last=Mason|first=Rowena|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=April 2, 2009|access-date=January 7, 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}} It contains content not included in the print version, and focuses on the same general topics, along with exclusive sections and videos.
In December 2001, Editorial Televisa published the Spanish-language edition of Maxim magazine for Latin America and the Hispanic communities of the United States, its first cover was Colombian model and actress Sofía Vergara.
On February 5, 2005, Maxim Radio, featuring male-oriented talk programming, debuted on Sirius Satellite Radio. Following the Sirius-XM merger in late 2008, the Maxim brand was dropped, and the channel is now known as Sirius XM Stars Too.
Since 2005, in Argentina, the Argentinian edition of Maxim magazine began to adapt and approximate the styles of the American adult magazines Penthouse and Hustler, publishing photos of Argentinian models in thongs and topless.
On June 5, 2006, the magazine announced plans to build a casino on the Las Vegas Strip north of Circus Circus, but the casino plan failed after local condominium owners complained that the proposed casino would ruin their view. The land was sold to MGM Mirage.{{cite news |first=Howard |last=Stutz |title=MGM buys parcels for new center |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|pages=A1+A8 |date=April 19, 2007 }}
File:Signed Maxim magazine jessica simpson.jpg holding a copy featuring her on the cover, 2007]]
On June 15, 2007, private equity firm Quadrangle Group, along with long-time media executive Kent Brownridge, announced the acquisition of the parent company of Maxim, Blender, Stuff, and MaximOnline.com in the United States, under the name Alpha Media Group. As of April 23, 2009, Dennis Publishing has announced that it will no longer produce a print edition of Maxim in the United Kingdom, though the website for the UK version will remain.
Quadrangle Group gave up on its investment in Alpha Media Group in August 2009, making Cerberus Capital Management the majority partner. In 2013, Alpha announced the sale of Maxim to the newly created Darden Media Group, but Darden was unable to raise the money.{{cite web|url=http://www.foliomag.com/2013/darden-media-group-buys-maxim-alpha-media-group|title=Darden Media Group Buys Maxim from Alpha Media Group|work=Folio|date=September 13, 2013}} Calvin Darden Jr. was later charged with fraud relating to the transaction.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2014/02/13/man-charged-in-scheme-to-fraudulently-buy-maxim-magazine/|title=Man Charged in Scheme to Fraudulently Buy Maxim Magazine|author=Adam Samson|work=Fox Business|access-date=December 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704040949/http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2014/02/13/man-charged-in-scheme-to-fraudulently-buy-maxim-magazine/|archive-date=July 4, 2014|url-status=dead}}
Between 2010 and 2012, Maxim eliminated two issues, going from 12 issues a year to 10, and decreased its circulation numbers by 20%, from a reported 2.5 million to only 2.0 million.{{cite web|url=http://adage.com/article/media/maxim-cuts-circulation-20/237351/ |title=Maxim Cuts Circulation|work=Adage.com |date=September 21, 2012|access-date=February 21, 2014}}
The Argentinian edition of the magazine Maxim stopped circulating in March 2013 in Argentina and its last cover was the Argentinian model Valeria Degenaro.
On February 27, 2014, entrepreneur Sardar Biglari, the founder of Biglari Holdings and Biglari Capital, purchased Maxim. In September 2014, Kate Lanphear became editor-in-chief. During Lanphear's tenure, the September 2015 issue featured actor Idris Elba on its cover, marking the first time that the magazine did not have a woman on the cover.{{cite news |first=Véronique |last=Hyland |title=Idris Elba Makes Men's History, Covers Maxim |url= http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/08/idris-elba-makes-mens-history-covers-maxim.html|work=New York Magazine|date=August 4, 2015}} Lanphear left the magazine in November 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/fashion/at-maxim-the-editor-kate-lanphear-is-on-her-way-out.html|title=At Maxim, the Editor Kate Lanphear Is on Her Way Out|first=Matthew|last=Schneier|date=October 23, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times}}
In January 2016, Biglari officially took over as editor-in-chief of Maxim, though a Maxim staffer said that the new masthead title just formalized what had always been clear since Biglari's purchase; Biglari exercises full editorial control over Maxim. At one point in 2015, the staffer said, Biglari decided to throw out a nearly complete version of the December issue to completely redesign the magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/media/2016/01/8586909/maxim-name-owner-sardar-biglari-editor-chief|title=Maxim to name owner Sardar Biglari editor in chief|access-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506214030/http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/media/2016/01/8586909/maxim-name-owner-sardar-biglari-editor-chief|archive-date=May 6, 2016|url-status=dead}} On January 13, 2016, Gilles Bensimon joined Biglari as a special creative director.
The Indonesian edition of the magazine Maxim stopped circulating in August 2017 in Indonesia and its last cover was the Australian model Jessica Gomes.
Since 2018, Maxim has hosted an annual online competition known as the Maxim Cover Girl contest, in which aspiring models vie for a cash prize and a chance to appear on the magazine’s cover.{{cite web |title=Maxim Cover Girl Competition Details |url=https://www.maxim.com/news/maxim-cover-girl-competition-details/ |website=Maxim |access-date=March 23, 2025}} For example, the 2022 contest was won by Brooklin Bowdler, who earned a $25,000 prize and appeared on the January/February 2023 cover.{{cite web |title=Brooklin Bowdler Wins Maxim Cover Girl Competition |url=https://www.maxim.com/women/brooklin-bowdler-wins-maxim-cover-girl-competition/ |website=Maxim |date=January 2023 |access-date=March 23, 2025}}
The runners-up that year were Teri Coleman (2nd place) and Hannah Catherine Whitmore (3rd place), both of whom were featured in profile stories by Maxim.{{cite web |title=Meet the 3 Finalists of Maxim's Cover Girl Competition |url=https://www.maxim.com/news/meet-3-maxim-cover-girl-competition-finalists/ |website=Maxim |date=March 2023 |access-date=March 23, 2025}} Whitmore—known professionally as Hannah Foxx—was profiled as a Nevada intimacy coach with a medical background, reflecting the contest’s reach beyond the traditional modeling scene. These finalist spotlights exemplify Maxim{{'}}s engagement with a broad range of contestants through the Cover Girl competition.
MaximBet
In April 2021, Maxim collaborated with international sports betting operator, Carousel Group, to create MaximBet, a licensed iGaming and sports betting services provider.{{Cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/3745938/2022/11/02/mlb-players-legal-betting-sportsbook/|title=As athletes become face of legal betting, baseball enters 'delicate and dangerous world'|first=Nick|last=Groke|website=The Athletic|date=November 4, 2022 }} In September 2021, MaximBet made its debut in Colorado, when they partnered with Johnny Nolon's Saloon and Gambling Emporium. In late September 2021, MaximBet expanded its operations and its brand launched in Indiana.
In April 2022, just after the Major League Baseball lockout ended, MaximBet entered into an endorsement deal with an active MLB player, Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies, as a brand ambassador.
In May 2022, Nicki Minaj was named as the creative director and global ambassador of MaximBet.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-maximbet-global-ambassador-1235079378/|title=Nicki Minaj Named 'Maxim' Creative Director & Global Ambassador of Sports Gambling Brand MaximBet|first1=Glenn|last1=Rowley|date=May 31, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}
Events and controversies
File:Black crowes-Newport.jpg]]
In 2004, the Gender Issues Centre, an on-campus feminist organization at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, protested an on-campus "Thunder Bay Boob Idol" event sponsored by Maxim and Coors Light. The Centre described Maxim as consisting of "sexist bravado and racist imagery".{{cite web |url=http://rabble.ca/news/discriminating-tastes-discriminating-boobs|title=Discriminating tastes, discriminating 'boobs' |author=Margi Ende|date=December 7, 2004|access-date=November 25, 2015}} In 2006, Alok Jha of The Guardian criticized Maxim for encouraging excessive alcohol consumption and sexual objectification of women.{{Cite news|author=Alok Jho|title=Lad Culture Corrupts Men as much as it Debases Women|newspaper=The Guardian| date = March 30, 2006|url =https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/mar/30/comment.prisonsandprobation }}
In June 2007, Israeli diplomat David Saranga invited Maxim to the country. In what came to be known as "beers and babes", the magazine did photo shoots of near-naked Israeli women who serve in the army. The campaign drew an angry reaction from lawmaker Colette Avital, a former diplomat who served as Israel's consul-general in New York City in the 1990s.Friedman, Matti (June 20, 2007). [http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2007Jun20/0,4675,IsraelMaximSpread,00.html "Maxim Features Models From Israeli Army"]. Associated Press. Professor John H. Brown of Georgetown University described the spread as the first event in a new branch of public diplomacy.[http://uscpublicdiplomacy.com/index.php/newsroom/pdblog_detail/070711_public_diplomacy_goes_pubic/ Public Diplomacy Goes 'Pubic'], John H. Brown, University of Southern California public diplomacy site, July 11, 2007.
In February 2008, Maxim was criticized by The Black Crowes for rating their upcoming CD, Warpaint, without hearing the entire album.{{cite web|title=Maxim Magazine reviews album without hearing it |publisher=blackcrowes.com |url=http://www.blackcrowes.com/Release_MAXIM.html |access-date=February 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225093224/http://www.blackcrowes.com/Release_MAXIM.html |archive-date=February 25, 2008 }} Black Crowes manager Pete Angelus said, "Maxim{{'}}s actions seem to completely lack journalistic integrity and intentionally mislead their readership." According to Crowes, the magazine stated in an email, "Of course, we always prefer to {{sic}} hearing music, but sometimes there are big albums that we don't want to ignore that aren't available to hear, which is what happened with the Crowes. It's either an educated guess preview or no coverage at all, so in this case we chose the former." The magazine's editorial director James Kaminsky later apologized, stating, "It is Maxim
International editions
{{Further|Maxim (India)|Maxim (Australia)}}
Maxim has launched international editions of its magazines since 1995. In 2006, it has launched its 26th and 27th international{{cite web|url=http://www.fipp.com/News.aspx?PageIndex=2002&ItemId=13076|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110711003718/http://www.fipp.com/News.aspx?PageIndex=2002&ItemId=13076|url-status=dead|title=FIPP.com – News – Maxim launches new editions|date=July 11, 2011|archive-date=July 11, 2011|website=archive.is}} editions in Serbia and Greece, where it is published by Attica Media. Notably, the magazine has been circulating editions in South Korea, Indonesia (defunct), India (defunct), Japan, Portugal (as Maxmen), the United States, Thailand, France (as Maximal), Russia,{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69I3LW20101019|title=Russia's "sexy spy" in provocative photoshoot|date=October 19, 2010|work=Reuters|access-date=November 11, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/world/russian-spy-anna-chapman-blows-her-cover-for-mens-magazine/story-e6frfkyi-1225940931043|title=Russian spy Anna Chapman blows her cover for men's magazine|date=October 19, 2010|work=News.com.au|access-date=November 11, 2010}} Turkey, Serbia, Greece,{{cite web|last =May|first=Kevin|title=Maxim ready for Serbian, Turk and Greek launch|work=Media Week|publisher=Haymarket|date=May 13, 2005|url=http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/510661/Maxim-ready-Serbian-Greek-launch/|access-date=November 11, 2010}} Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Argentina (defunct), Italy, Canada, Poland, Brazil, Germany, Australia,{{Cite web|url=https://www.maxim.com.au/|title=MAXIM Australia|website=MAXIM Australia}} Mexico (defunct), Colombia (defunct) and the Philippines.
Celebrity profiles
{{Main|List of people on the cover of Maxim magazine}}
''Maxim'' Hot 100
Each year since 2000, Maxim has released the Maxim Hot 100. The winners and their corresponding ages and the year in which the magazine was released are listed below.
From 2000 until 2015, Maxim released the rest of the Hot 100 in order. Since 2016, Maxim released the rest of the Hot 100 in random order, so those lists are by default sorted alphabetically on this table. These are the rest of the Top 100 each year.
UK Woman of the Year Awards
The awards ceremony for UK edition of the magazine began in 2000. The winners for each category were voted on by readers of the magazine.{{ cite web | title = Cream of crop | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005407/20000301/074/0008 | newspaper = Scarborough Evening News | date = 1 March 2000| via = British Newspaper Archive | url-access = subscription }}
= 2000 =
= 2001 =
| class="wikitable"
|+ |
| Award{{ cite web | url = https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/tamzin-is-voted-woman-of-the-year/28285425.html | title = Tamzin is voted woman of the year | newspaper = Belfast Telegraph | date = 5 April 2001 }}{{ cite web | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/20010404/032/0003 | title = Is Tamzin really 'Woman of the Year'? | newspaper = The Scotsman | date = 4 April 2001 | via = British Newspaper Archive | url-access = subscription }}
!Winner |
|---|
| Woman of the Year |
| Best TV Soap Personality |
| Best TV Presenter |
| Best Film Actress |
| Best International Singer
| Madonna |
| Most Stylish Woman |
| Maxim International Woman
| Caprice |
| Maxim Icon award |
= 2002 =
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Maxim (magazine)}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Biglari Holdings}}
{{Dennis Publishing}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxim (Magazine)}}
Category:1995 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:1998 establishments in the United States
Category:2009 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Men's magazines published in the United States
Category:Monthly magazines published in the United States
Category:Men's magazines published in the United Kingdom
Category:Defunct magazines published in the United Kingdom
Category:Magazines established in 1995
Category:Magazines disestablished in 2009
Category:Magazines published in New York City
Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions