When we talk about the discontinuation of a media outlet or an editorial format, we tend to think of a financial failure, an audience that didn’t show up, or difficulties related to the economic crisis. However, bringing a project to a close can also be the key to its success. What if all good things really do come to an end?
François Busnel and Éric Fottorino had announced it right from the launch of *America*. This magazine, designed to make us reflect on Donald Trump’s America, kept us captivated for sixteen issues. Four issues a year for four years: the duration of a presidential term. Here, we envision the magazine as a collector’s item. A finished product, in short, with a strategy that allows for deeper reflection on its value proposition and business model. This is enough to make readers want to linger over each precious issue and savor the snapshot of an era without getting lost in the clamour of current events. Results: nearly 500,000 copies sold over four years.
You can also imagine the very end, even when it wasn’t part of the original plan. To go out in the height of glory—it’s got to be said—that’s quite something. Take Siham Jibril, founder of Génération XX, the podcast that shares the life stories of women, helping listeners broaden their horizons… After four years on the air and more than six million listens, Siham Jibril has decided to wrap up her podcast following the release of the 100th episode. She’s taking a break to turn a new page and is starting to lay the groundwork with the launch of a magazine dedicated to listening.
On ne va pas vous raconter d’histoires. Le plus souvent, dans les médias, la fin n’est ni prévue ni désirée. On s’y résout lorsque les obstacles deviennent trop grands et que les solutions manquent. Dans ce cas, certain·e·s prennent le parti de (bien) raconter cette décision, sans essayer de la masquer. Comme Stanislas Signoud, cofondateur de la matinale audio personnalisée Les Croissants. D’abord, par une lettre explicative publiée sur le site des Croissants. Puis un an plus tard, via un fil sur Twitter racontant cette fin du point de vue de l’entrepreneur, du rendez-vous au tribunal au transfert des abonnements des Croissants chez Les Jours. Un retour honnête et nécessaire.
