The new era of VIBE Magazine and VIBE.com is just around the corner. The new owners of the perennial hip-hop lifestyle magazine will officially kick off the new publication and online site December 8th starting with a cover featuring Chris Brown. The new direction will see the print magazine reduced from 10 issues per year to four but with a much stronger emphasis in the online sector.

“Here, Vibe.com is really the hub,” said Jermaine Hall, editor in chief of the new Vibe and Vibe.com. “That’s where everything needs to go back to. Whether it’s the magazine, or we decide to do some kind of TV programming down the line, everything needs to come back to Vibe.com.”

The new online direction seems the natural way to go as print publications, specifically in music, are trending towards a slow extinction. Vibe.com will be the flagship site of the new Vibe Lifestyle Network which will also service and function as a full ad network. Via: AdAge

• VIDEO: Pepsi marketing campaign remixes hip-hop videos
• Def Jam covers new issue of XXL Magazine