The App features the entire February issue completely redesigned and formatted to take full advantage of the iPad screen and both orientations.
With easy-access, intuitive navigation, added functionality, interactive page elements and exclusive photos and video content, the iPad edition stars a video cover of Johnny Depp in character as Captain Jack Sparrow, previewing Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides.
The iPad edition will show trailers to films reviewed and previewed in the magazine. 'Classic Scene', the long-running last feature in the magazine, will actually contain the classic scene (in the February issue it's Raging Bull).
The Empire iPad edition has secured commercial partnerships with Jameson Irish Whiskey and 20th Century Fox. The February issue is available through the iTunes store (UK and IE only) price-promoted at £1.79. Thereafter, the monthly App will be priced at £3.99 per issue.
Empire's Digital Editor James Dyer, Senior Designer John Hitchcox and Editor-in-Chief Mark Dinning have overseen the launch.
Paul Keenan, Chief Executive of Bauer Media, commented: "Empire on the ipad is new and different. The authority of Empire carries across; but with video and trailers it is undeniably added value, deepening the hit you get from your monthly fix of what's great about film right now. The ipad is a different digital experience - absorbing, yet quick; offering good reading and watching; whilst clever navigation allows the editor to surprise the reader with extra treats. This is an exciting first for us and we look forward to learning from and adapting to the platform".
Vicky Wood, Marketing Manager for Jameson, said: “Jameson and Empire have been friends for quite some years, collaborating closely not only on the Empire Film Awards and Jameson Empire Done In Sixty Seconds competition, but also sharing a love of cult film through Jameson Cult Film Club. We’re proud to once again join Empire, this time in the launch of their Apple iPad Edition, placing ourselves alongside them at the forefront of digital innovation”.
Chris Green, Marketing Controller, Twentieth Century Fox, added: “The flexibility of the ipad Empire magazine allows us to incorporate trailers and footage into our more traditional print ads, making the ads much more interesting and interactive. Digital ads like this are going to be increasing important to us moving forward, therefore this was a fantastic opportunity to team up with Empire and learn with them about engaging movie fans in a new format.”
