A few months ago, CooperKatz led a Polar social media project dubbed the Polar “Journey to Wow!” contest. The contest lived on Polar USA’s Facebook page but we also tapped into their growing Twitter following as a way to connect with “Non-Facebookers” – Yes, it’s true, some people still do not use Facebook. Via status updates, a few tweets and private messages, we called on Polar users to share their personal stories with us…and share they did! I was amazed by the intensity of the stories and the explosion of emotions many revealed. And no matter how diverse their goals and stories were, Polar was always a part of the equation. I can go on for days discussing the stories, but that doesn’t really work for a blog post. Besides, you can still read many of the stories for yourself on the PolarUSA Facebook page or check out the amazing coverage of Isidro Alba, featured in his local paper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  

Many print publishers have turned to the digital world as a way to stem falling circulations and advertising revenue hardships.  Most have Web pages, but many are directing significant energy toward devices like the iPhone or the iPod touch in an attempt to garner a digital fan base of E-Readers. Magazines such as Elle, SPIN and Car & Driver all have iPhone applications available. And according to AdAge, Conde Nast recently announced the upcoming launch of their iPhone application for GQ. 

So what’s so special about the GQ app?  Unlike other magazine applications, which often exclude stories that are in the print version (including much of the significant editorial content), the GQ app will offer a full replica of the magazine. For $2.99 per issue, users will be able to see every page as it appears in print with all of the content modified for the small screen.  As a result, people who pay for the app will count toward GQ’s paid circulation by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.