FOCUS: REGIONAL MAGAZINES: Review re-invents to stay ahead of the times

<p>A new, expanded version of the Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) </p><p>has hit the streets of Asia, featuring changes aimed at reflecting </p><p>Asia's new economic, political and technological landscape. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The changes include new features such as an extensive technology </p><p>section, a new money section devoted to personal finance and a </p><p>strengthened editorial team. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The magazine also sports a modern and user-friendly design. The front </p><p>cover page regains its trademark, yellow border and a modernised version </p><p>of the FEER logo. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>FEER editor and publisher Philip Revzin said the changes were made </p><p>necessary because of the new developments in the Asia-Pacific market, </p><p>including the explosive growth of the Internet and the technology </p><p>sectors as well as rising awareness about the importance of personal </p><p>finance. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We've made the changes to stay ahead of the story in this market. We </p><p>did this four years ago (but) we think things have changed fast enough </p><p>in that period to warrant us to continue the changes," Mr Revzin told </p><p>MEDIA. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The magazine's website, www.feer.com, is featured more prominently on </p><p>the cover and later in this year, feer.com will become a more integral </p><p>part of wsj.com, which is the website of parent Wall Street Journal. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>FEER has also added more columns, however, it retains its well-known </p><p>feature columns such as Nury Vittachi's Traveler's Tales and Frank </p><p>Ching's Eye on Asia. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Our aim was to keep the best of the old FEER and add many more useful, </p><p>interesting features and coverage," said Mr Revzin. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The changes in FEER occurred after the magazine's advertising revenue in </p><p>1999 tumbled 22 per cent to US$15.5 million from almost US$20 million in the previous year, according to the latest CMR report. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Mr Revzin said, however, that there was no connection between the </p><p>two. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We want to make the content the best it can be in order to properly </p><p>serve our readers. It's not that we ignore business considerations, but </p><p>circulation is going up and the Asian economy is recovering, so we hope </p><p>that advertising will follow." </p><p><BR><BR> </p>