PLAYBOY HOPS BACK
Centerfolded mag is revived on Web
Playboy is relaunching its iconic magazine as a digitalfirst publication — as the racy lifestyle brand takes on modeling subscription service OnlyFans, The Post has learned.
The revamped magazine, which shuttered in 2020 and ceased printing, will debut later this year.
The online entity will serve as an entry to Playboy’s “creator platform,” which the brand is selling as an “elevated,” “safe” and “exclusive” alternative to OnlyFans.
Now, instead of Playboy “bunnies” there will be Playboy “creators,” who will post adult content on their pages, give subscribers exclusive access into their lives and grace the magazine’s online covers.
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The Post got its hands on Playboy’s first-ever “digital cover,” which features model Amanda Cerny, who has made more than $1 million as a Playboy creator using the beta version of the platform, Centerfold.
Playboy launched Centerfold with spokeswoman Cardi B in December 2021 as a place “for creative freedom, artistic expression, and sex positivity.”
Much like OnlyFans, it allows models to cultivate paying subscribers.
Playboy told The Post it is dropping the name Centerfold and the platform will instead be integrated into the fabric of Playboy.
“Our Playboy creator platform is the Playboy magazine for the 21st century,” Chief Brand Officer Rachel Webber said.
“We’re putting the power of content creation in the hands of the creative community and giving them the tools to interact with and monetize their fan bases directly.”
The big difference between OnlyFans and Playboy, the brand says, is that while anyone can become an OnlyFans creator, Playboy’s creators have to apply and be accepted by its editorial team.
Still, the new platform shares many of OnlyFans’ features. Users can subscribe and pay to view adult content and will be able to message the models — all while getting special “access” to their daily lives.
Playboy CEO Ben Kohn said he hopes the platform will disrupt the creator economy “the same way Playboy magazine shook up the publishing industry nearly 70 years ago.”
The company said the new digital magazine will feature essays from creators and content about what it’s like to be a part of Playboy.
Playboy, famous for its covers and centerfolds since its 1953 debut featuring Marilyn Monroe, announced the end of the print magazine in March 2020 citing budget woes. Twenty-five staffers were laid off two months later.