US News & World Report to Cease Print Publication Except for Special Issues Like Law School Rankings

Last Friday, US News & World Report management informed its workforce that it is moving forward with its digital publication transition by ceasing publication of the print magazine with the December 2010 issue. From the internal memo republished here:

The December issue will be our last print monthly sent to subscribers, whose remaining print and digital replica subscriptions will be filled by other publishers. Going forward, our non-subscription print offerings will be for newsstand sale and targeted distribution. They’ll include the college and grad guides, as well as hospital and personal finance guides.

"College and grad guides" refers to ranking studies. The memo explains that "[o]ur emphasis on rankings and research content is the right path, making us an essential information source in a commoditized marketplace. We provide information that helps people make important decisions." [JH]