On Esky 2.0



(image via thomashawke)

As someone who has read Esquire off and on since high school and as someone who has worked online for years it was something to see the new online incarnation. We say this because unlike other online magazine incarnations, Esky actually offers online exclusives from some interesting writers, like Kurt Andersen and Chuck Klosterman. Most online magazine ventures are reprints of articles (cheap). Esky, it seems, is willing to bring the brand that brought us the Vargas Girl and "Dubious Achievements" to a whole new level. And as someone who grew up with their attention to boundary pushing interesting and iconoclastic writers on the culture at large from a man's point of view, that is a wonderful thing (GQ always seemed more geared towards Wall Street traders on the social ascent, Allan Richman on Wine notwithstanding). From Paidcontent:

"Esquire’s website revealed its anticipated makeover on Wednesday, boasting several new features, along with sharper graphics and more prominent photos – but no video (it’s coming). For the past several months, its parent company Hearst has been planning a major digital overhaul of its key magazine titles

"... As for Esquire.com’s content, the articles, which are framed by ads for Las Vegas tourism, Microsoft, AT&T and others, are well laid out and readable. Aside from the offerings derived from the magazine, such as the eminently ignorable cover story featuring a profile of Robert Downey, Jr., the main attraction is the new 'web exclusive' department called The Side. From an editorial standpoint, there are two too many articles on Britney Spears. Still, it’s worth mentioning that Gawker reluctantly, even somewhat painfully, praised one of pieces by hipster journalist Chuck Klosterman – usually a reliable target for that site’s derision."

Esquire online is a pleasant surprise. More on Esky 2.0 here.