Playboy Magazine

Playboy magazine has announced it is bringing back nudity, reversing a decision made last year.

The move was announced by Playboy's new chief creative officer Cooper Hefner, who said the decision to remove nudity entirely was a mistake . He tweeted:

Today we're taking our identity back and reclaiming who we are.

Nudity was never the problem because nudity isn't a problem

The US magazine also promoted its March-April edition with a picture of its playmate of the month with the hashtag #NakedIsNormal.

Some social media users welcomed the U-turn, describing it as a good call , while others said the decision was taken because the magazines weren't selling too well. Too bad free porn is still easy to access .

Samir Husni, a journalism professor at the University of Mississippi, said Playboy's ban on nudity had probably alienated more readers than it attracted.  He told the Associated Press:

Playboy and the idea of non-nudity is sort of an oxymoron,

In next month's issue, the magazine will also revive some of its old franchises, including The Playboy Philosophy and Party Jokes. However, Playboy will drop the subtitle Entertainment for Men from its covers.

Update: But before you rush out and buy a copy...

15th February 2017 See article from outsidethebeltway.com

The next issue, which hits newsstands at the end of the month, will feature women who are topless and almost fully exposed. (Think strategically placed leaf, hand or leg.)

In a recent interview Ben Koh, CEO of Playboy Enterprises made a comment that could mark the end of Playboy's 60 year-long run. He said:

Historically, we could justify the [magazine's] losses because of the marketing value, but you also have to be forward-thinking. I'm not sure that print is necessarily the best way to communicate to our consumer going forward.

At its height, Playboy sold more than 7 million copies. The circulation of Playboy is now down to under 500,000 copies.

After Hugh Hefner's death, his son, Cooper Hefner who serves as COO of Playboy Enterprises tried to refocus the magazine towards younger readers with more of an FHM style. The magazine initially stopped all the nudity, but later reintroduced topless girls (and transgender girls). It seems that the new approach hasn't been a hit.