"Southern Muscle Plus" Expanding to Northeast, Changing Name

Southern Muscle Plus - November 2008 cover

Southern Muscle Plus, a long-standing publication in the bodybuilding and fitness industry, will be changing its name to "American Body Plus" and expanding to include coverage of contests in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania beginning with the December 2008/ January 2009 issue.

December 8, 2008

Special for Bodybuilding Weekly

Beginning with the December 2008 / January 2009 issue, a mainstay of the industry, Southern Muscle Plus ("SMP") Magazine, will be expanding and changing its name.  The magazine will be known as "American Body Plus" and will begin to cover contests in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in addition to the Southeast.

The format of SMP has changed considerably since the magazine was sold by Pete Fancher, a National Physique Committee ("NPC") judge and the NPC Central Florida Chairman, to Rob Rosetti in 2007.  Rosetti serves as the Editor while talented IFBB Fitness Professional Shannon Dey handles marketing and advertising for the glossy publication.

The print magazine industry is low margin and likely to encounter some difficulties during the recession, as even the larger bodybuilding publications place larger emphasis on their online presence.  Niche publications like SMP, catering to competitors, will undoubtedly find the environment to be less challenging and they seem well positioned for their anticipated expansion.

Southern Muscle Plus has been nominated for the Bodybuilding Weekly "cover of the year" award, for the June 2008 issue that featured IFBB Figure Pro Teresa Anthony.