Oprah Magazine is Drowning in Ads

One of the magazines that I receive on a monthly basis is O or Oprah Magazine. Although the magazine is about 300 pages in length, the majority of the magazine is filled with ads. The ads range from skin care products to kitchen utensils, but regardless of the product being advertised, the products all seem to be geared towards women. More specifically, I actually believe that the magazine is geared towards middle aged women. I started to search around online and I came across some interesting tidbits of information regarding Oprah magazine including:

Key Demographics: Male 11.7%
Female 88.3%
Median Age 42.4
Married 57.70%
Median HH Income $64,700

"The mission of O, the Oprah Magazine, is to speak and connect to women in a way
no other publication ever has; to help women 'live their best life.' The May 2008
issue has a 'Splash Into Summer' editorial focus.
Oprah Magazine"

Advertising Opportunity:
Costs: $5,900 1/6 Page

Wow. So, if you think about it, advertisers realize how powerful of a voice Oprah has in society because they are willing to pay an extreme amount of money to have an ad in a magazine that is full of ads. Interestingly, I don't even look at the ads because, honestly, I can't afford anything that is in the magazine! In other words, the ads are really directed at women who have money or for women who plan to have money in the future (this is where I come in). Furthermore, there is a section of the magazine where Oprah picks her "Favorite Things." In Oprah's "Favorite Things" section, numerous products are advertised such as $68 umbrellas and $250 watches that every lady "must have." Oprah also has authors advertise their books and celebrities advertise their television shows (Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, etc.). When there actually is an article, the article is filled with subliminal advertisements. In other words, if the advertisements were taken out of Oprah Magazine, there would be about 10 pages to look at.