In a terrible blow to frequent flyers everywhere, the Los Angeles Times reported this week that not even SkyMall is immune to the death of print media. Although no changes have formally been announced by the catalog company, which became popular by selling $2,250 (plus shipping) garden yeti statues to people in airplanes, the Times reports that SkyMall took a $3.2 million loss between May and September of 2013, and suggests that SkyMall, like other prestigious publications, will have to find “a digital strategy.”
SkyMall already has a website and an iPad app, but neither of those things are nearly as much fun as being held captive in a cramped airplane and using SkyMall as an excuse to avoid talking to the chatty bro in the window seat. And even though it’s easier than ever to use approved electronic devices at 30,000 feet, who really wants to pay $12 for half an hour of Internet access just to look at the Baby Skel-E-Dragon?
According to the Times article, SkyMall product manager Matt Genandt said, “We want people to look through the catalog and say, ‘Oh, my God, why didn’t I think of that?’” Though, that’s probably not exactly what people say when they come across the Biffy Buttler. [via Jezebel]