National Geographic Magazine Devotes 125th Anniversary to Celebrating Power of Photography; Continues Evolution on Web and Beyond

Magazine Launches New Photo Blog and Major Photo-based Social Engagement Platform Timed to October Anniversary

Anniversary Issue Generates Largest Revenue in Magazine's History

Month Includes Photo Exhibits Opening on Both Coasts

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Geographic magazine started publication in October 1888 as the official journal of the National Geographic Society, a nonprofit dedicated to funding science and exploration across the planet. Since then, National Geographic has grown to become one of the most iconic brands in the world. The magazine has a reach of 60 million readers worldwide each month. Following in the footsteps of the magazine, the brand has expanded to include the National Geographic Channel, reaching 440 million households; NationalGeographic.com with 27 million unique visitors each month; and a social footprint that touches 30 million people.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130916/DC80211)

The magazine has a celebrated history as an innovative place for photography — from creating the first photographic survey of the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere to making the first color photographs undersea, and it continues to push technological and creative boundaries. Over time, the magazine has redefined itself as a committed outlet for world-class photojournalism, documenting the wonders of the planet and tackling serious issues around environmental and human rights. Today, National Geographic is expanding the scope of its visual storytelling, experimenting with digital experiences to find new ways of documenting the world and of allowing readers to interact with content. In 2012 alone, it won multiple awards, among them three Overseas Press Club Awards and four National Magazine Awards, including General Excellence and Best Tablet Publication.

In print, the magazine marks its 125^th anniversary with a special October issue devoted to photography. To complement the release of the issue, National Geographic is also unveiling a new photo blog, "Proof," on Monday, Sept. 16. Edited by Keith Jenkins, director of photography for NationalGeographic.com, the blog will take a provocative and eclectic look at the world of National Geographic photography and the field overall. 

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, as the magazine's anniversary month begins, National Geographic will invite all photo enthusiasts to submit photos and participate in an inaugural digital assignment for the magazine, as part of a newly designed, photosharing-based community engagement platform, Your Shot. The Your Shot assignment will be loosely organized around the theme of the October 2013 anniversary issue. Called "The Photography Issue," the issue focuses on the medium the magazine has helped to shape, looking at how photography has the power to impact our lives by bearing witness, helping to prove fact, giving us insight into each other, revealing unknown places, celebrating wonder and inspiring us to protect our natural world. Featured photographers include Marcus Bleasdale, James Balog, Martin Schoeller, David Guttenfelder, Abelardo Morell and Joel Sartore.

"Photography is a powerful tool and form of self-expression," said Chris Johns, editor in chief of National Geographic magazine. "Sharing what you see and experience through the camera allows you to connect, move and inspire people around the world."

In addition to its leadership in photographic technology and storytelling, over the course of its history the magazine's images have documented numerous discoveries and expeditions (many funded by the National Geographic Society), from the first American ascent of Everest to Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey's work with primates in Africa to Jacques Cousteau's dives and James Cameron's historic solo descent to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in 2012. It has been a window on the world for generations of readers, and its photographic archives comprise 11.5 million images, including vintage glass-plate negatives and rare Kodachrome transparencies.

The anniversary issue is the largest measured revenue issue in the magazine's history, with a mix of global and domestic ad campaigns. "Wildlife as Canon Sees It," which focuses on building awareness for endangered species and at 32 years is the longest-running continuous campaign in magazine history, is featured on an editorial poster within the magazine's cover story. Another first is a Nokia campaign on a four-page cover gatefold featuring an image made with a smartphone. The photo was taken by a National Geographic photographer represented by the Society's newly configured creative agency, National Geographic Creative.

In conjunction with the October issue, the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles will present "The Power of Photography," a special print and digital exhibition based on archival images as well as photography from the current issue. As part of the exhibit, which opens on Saturday, Oct. 26, an extensive digital installation will showcase 500-plus images in a dynamic presentation that will change as the viewer moves through the exhibit. At National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., "Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment" opens Thursday, Oct. 10, and celebrates the careers and photography of 11 talented women photojournalists who have made a significant impact with their images.

URLs:
National Geographic Magazine: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/
Your Shot: http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/
Annenberg Exhibit: www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org
Women of Vision Exhibit: http://wovexhibition.org/
Canon: canon.com/environment
Nokia: nationalgeographic.com/nokia
National Geographic Creative: http://natgeocreative.com
Proof: http://proof.nationalgeographic.com/

SOURCE National Geographic