Jack Kliger, President and CEO, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. today announced the launch of Shock, the first-of-its-kind multi-platform media property creating a new magazine category. Shock delivers an unapologetic, real and raw look at the world in which we live, and actively involves consumers via print, digital, online and wireless mediums.

"Shock is the next generation of photojournalism where the images shape the stories," says Kliger.

Audiences can get their first Shock experience via the Web at http://www.ShockU.com . The newsstand magazine and digital edition will be available on May 30th. Mobile content will be available by the end of June.

Today's consumers live in a visually stimulating environment and have raised the bar in terms of their visual expectations. Shock has met that challenge and will amaze both men and women with Startling, Humorous, Outrageous, Controversial and Kommanding images that are completely unexpected and undoctored.

"Shock elicits a strong emotional response from consumers when they see these photos and read the stories behind them," said Mike Hammer, editor-in-chief of Shock. "Shock is filling a void for today's consumer whose visual appetite has grown but has not been effectively served by other media properties. Shock provides a dazzling visual feast with attitude."

Consumers will play an integral role in shaping Shock's content by capturing and sending in photos from their cell phones or digital cameras. At least 10 percent of the newsstand and digital magazines will include spectacular images from consumers, and the Web site will display even more.

"Shock embraces all forms of photojournalism in order to obtain the most arresting images," adds Kliger. "Today's technology has given rise to the citizen photojournalist, who is easily able to capture significant and spontaneous moments in time with a cell phone or digital camera. A distinguishing feature of Shock is that it will include riveting photos from these consumers as well as renowned photographers."

Shock's newsstand version will be distributed nationwide on May 30th. The magazine will feature different sections including:

* Breaking Views, which will offer readers first looks of eye-popping news

such as the aftermath of Chernobyl's 20th anniversary

* Recon, which will feature "everything that matters this month" like

images of the U.S.' Women's Sumo Wrestling Championships

* Hard News, which will expose a frightening hostage situation in China

and a fiery protest in Europe

* Pop Vulture, which will offer images of celebrities uncensored

* Wow!, which will showcase spectacular photography from around the world

A digital version of Shock will also be available by subscription on the same date. Already highly successful in France, Shock's debut in the United States is the beginning of a global roll-out for this new media property and category.

About Shock and Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.

Shock offers readers the most compelling images from around the world in an eye-popping format never before seen in the publishing industry and captures the spontaneity of life through images from the world of sports, politics, nature and Hollywood. The random, the off-beat and the bizarre are featured in Shock -- a new media category that will change the landscape of photojournalism.

Shock is published by Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., the New York-headquartered subsidiary of Hachette Filipacchi Medias S.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lagardere SCA, which reaches nearly 50 million readers in the U.S. through its enthusiast titles which also include American Photo, Boating, Car and Driver, Cycle World, ELLE, ELLE Decor, ELLEgirl, Flying, For Me, Home, Metropolitan Home, Popular Photography & Imaging, Premiere, Road & Track, Sound & Vision, Woman's Day and Woman's Day Special Interest Publications such as, Kitchens & Baths, Home Remodeling & Makeovers, and Budget Decorating Ideas. In addition to the magazines, Hachette has 17 Web sites, 4 mobile services, 13 digital editions, book and custom publishing, integrated marketing, database and market research, as well as licensing. Currently, a number of Hachette brands have extensions in television, radio and consumer events. The Hachette Web site address is http://www.hfmus.com .

Source: prnewswire