Rediscovering Print: How Gen Z and Industry Veterans Are Powering a Media Revival

In an era dominated by screens, algorithms, and ephemeral content, a surprising renaissance is underway—print media is making a bold, strategic comeback. At a recent Niche Media conference, two keynote speakers delivered powerful messages that underscored not just the staying power of print, but its growing relevance for a new generation of readers.

Kelsey Russell: Gen Z’s Print Evangelist

Kelsey Russell, known online as the Print Princess, is a TikTok influencer with over 89,000 followers and a mission: reintroduce the tactile, trustworthy value of print journalism to digital natives. As co-host of First Stop News, a weekly current events show for kids, she brings humor, clarity, and curiosity to a space often clouded by skepticism and burnout.

Russell’s message is clear—Gen Z may be swimming in digital content, but they’re also drowning in distrust and emotional fatigue. Print offers an antidote. It invites readers to slow down, reflect, and engage deeply. Her viral TikTok tour of the Long Island Press print plant proves there’s hunger for behind-the-scenes content that demystifies the journalism process.

Actionable takeaway: Print outlets should partner with influencers like Russell to tell their stories in fresh, authentic ways—especially by showcasing how journalism works and why it matters.

Samir Husni: “Mr. Magazine” Declares 2024 the Year of the Relaunch

Industry legend Samir Husni declared 2024 “The Year of the Relaunch,” as dozens of beloved titles return to newsstands. From Field & Stream and Saveur to Playboy and Heavy Metal, legacy publications are proving that print is not dead—it’s evolving.

Husni emphasized that a true magazine must deliver more than content; it must curate experience. Relevancy, necessity, and sufficiency are his touchstones: does the magazine matter, is it essential to its readers, and does it fully serve its niche?

He also pointed to high-end, low-frequency titles like Palmer ($60/issue) and Mountain Gazette ($45/issue) as examples of how print is adapting. These aren’t just magazines—they’re cultural artifacts.

Key insight: Quality and intention are winning out over quantity. The magazine industry’s smartest players are going deeper, not broader.

The Future Is Hybrid—and Hopeful

Both speakers touched on the potential for print and digital to coexist. Annotated print content, AI-conscious editorial standards, and influencer collaborations are just a few ways the industry can bridge generations.

Whether you’re a veteran publisher or a newcomer passionate about tangible storytelling, now is the time to support, innovate, and evangelize for print.

Let’s not just talk about the power of print—let’s show it, share it, and shape it.