1 part Red Bull + 1 part magazine = 1 wild read
Updated on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 1:01 AM by Logan Molen
Most everyone is familiar with Red Bull the energy drink. But Red Bull is more than a beverage, it's a lifestyle that spills over into many different things, like auto racing, thrill sports and, more than ever, publishing.
And traditional publishers should be wary of the energy a drink company can deliver in stealing readers bored with the same ol', same ol'.
Red Bull first dipped its toes into publishing upon launching its Formula 1 racing team in 2005, producing The Red Bulletin, a lively "alternative" newsletter published four times each race weekend. The Red Bulletin created ripples for its punk attitude in what had been a traditionally reserved sport, with lively layouts and content that said what people were thinking but were afraid to say. Perhaps the most famous example was a blast against the French at the French Grand Prix, held at the Magny Cours circuit far from the country's charms.
"The nearest town to the circuit is Nevers and if you pronounce it the right way, it perfectly describes how many times people want to come back," The Red Bulletin said, generating waves of protest from offended French patriots.