Maxim (magazine)
Maxim is an international
English language lad mag based in the
United States, and known for its revealing pictorials featuring popular
actresses,
singers, and
female models.
The first issue of
Maxim was released in the
United Kingdom in May
1995 with
Lisa Snowdon on the cover. The first American issue was released on
April 1,
1997 with
Christa Miller as the cover model.
The magazine is known for its extensive pictorials of scantily clad women. The U.S. version of the magazine, unlike foreign versions, does not allow the depiction of
nipples or
genitalia. In the U.S.,
Maxim is readily available from most newsstands and retailers. A notable exception is
Wal-Mart, the country's largest retailer. Wal-Mart has gone to great lengths to promote itself as being family-friendly, and although
Maxim does not contain nudity, its sexual suggestiveness caused Wal-Mart to not sell the magazine in the U.S.
Aside from pictorials, features of the magazine include short articles on subjects such as
sports,
movies,
television,
video games,
fashion,
relationships,
cars,
crime, and
alcohol—subjects considered to be of interest to the magazine's primary audience of men between the ages of 18 and 35. Every issue also features extensive reviews and endorsements of new products in these fields.
Maxim competes with several lad mags including
Stuff (owned by the same company) and
FHM.
Due to its success in its primary markets,
Maxim has expanded into many other countries, including
Argentina,
Canada,
India,
Indonesia,
Belgium,
Romania, the
Czech Republic,
France (marketed under "Maximal"),
Germany,
Bulgaria,
Greece,
Italy,
Korea,
Mexico,
Netherlands,
Poland,
Russia (where it stands now as the most popular men's magazine),
Serbia,
Montenegro, the
Philippines,
Singapore,
Spain,
Thailand,
Ukraine, and
Portugal. A wireless version of the magazine was launched in 2005 across cellular carriers in twenty
European and
Asian countries.
In 1999,
MaximOnline.com was created. It contains content not included in the print version and focuses on the same general topics, along with exclusive sections such as the "Girls of
Maxim" galleries and the "Joke of the Day". "Maxim Video" contains video clips of interviews, music videos, photo shoots, and original content. The success of this website inspired Dennis Digital to create sites for its sister publications, such as
Blender.
In January 2002,
Dennis Publishing established an online and retail video division,
Dennis Media Group.
On
February 5, 2005,
Maxim launched their own radio channel,
Maxim Radio, on
Sirius Satellite Radio.
On
June 5, 2006, the magazine announced plans to build a casino on the
Las Vegas Strip north of
Circus Circus. Opening is planned for 2010 with construction scheduled to begin in 2007.
Each year
Maxim releases its "
Hot 100" list, in which the magazine attempts to compile the most desired women. In 2003 the list had a
television special air on
NBC. Since
2004 VH1 has been airing the Maxim Hot 100 specials, they have so far all been hosted by a woman on the list. The top 10 women in the "Hot 100" list released May 2006 were:
#
Eva Longoria#
Jessica Alba#
Lindsay Lohan#
Angelina Jolie#
Stacy Keibler#
Scarlett Johansson#
Cameron Diaz#
Kate Bosworth#
Keira Knightley#
Christina Milian*
Glamour photography*
List of men's magazines*
List of People in Maxim Magazine 1997 to present*
Maxim Hot 100*
Maxim Radio*
Official web site (USA)*
Official web site (UK)*
Official web site (Italy)*
Official web site (Germany)*
Official web site (Russia)*
Official web site (Romania)*
Official web site (Belgium)*
Official web site (Netherlands)*
Official web site (Mexico)*
Web site of SCMP Group, which published the Hong Kong edition of the magazine*
Maxim Radio on Sirius
