Reader’s Digest Changes Cover, Contents Page

Reader’s Digest, the world’s most widely circulated magazine, is getting a face lift. Starting with the May issue, the magazine founded in 1922 will move its familiar table of contents off the cover, replacing it with a snazzy, full-page photo and bolder graphics. In addition to the revamped cover, the magazine has jazzed up its table of contents, adding photos and highlights about articles to make it easy for readers to find information. The table of contents will appear on two pages inside the publication. Reader’s Digest, read by more than 100 million worldwide, felt the need to change to attract younger readers. Its average reader is 47 years old. Gregory G. Coleman, Reader’s Digest worldwide publisher, said the global make-over will also make the magazine a better vehicle for advertising sales. The redesign received positive reviews last year, when it was tested in the United States, Sweden and New Zealand. “People said they liked the bolder photography and the expanded explanation of stories,” spokeswoman Lesta Cordil said. “As with anything, we’re competing for people’s time. We think because of our new look, people will be more apt to take notice of us.” The May issue, featuring a female San Francisco firefighter on the cover, will hit newsstands April 24.