Word Magazine was anonline magazine active from 1995 to 2000.
Launched in 1995 by Carey Earle, Tom Livaccari andDan Pelson, Word Magazine created original stories, interviews, games, applications, music, interactive objects and art, and community spaces. Word published new content daily, and each story was treated as a unique interface design experiment. Word was also a pioneer in the use of online advertising and was the first website to integratemicrosites into brand advertising online.[1] It was also one of the first truly web oriented online magazines.[2]
Word's editorial team was originally led byVibe magazine founding editor Jonathan Van Meter and creative directorJaime Levy. Marisa Bowe took over as editor-in-chief[3] prior to the site's June 1995 launch andYoshi Sodeoka became Creative Director in early 1996.Daron Murphy was a founding senior editor.[4]
From 1998, Word featured achatterbot namedFred the Webmate.[5]
In 2000, Streeter, Bowe,Murphy, Rose Kernochan, andJohn Bowe co-edited a book of interviews, "Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs,"[6] inspired by Studs Terkel'sWorking: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do.[1]
Also in 2000, Word staff developed the turn-based online strategy gameSissyfight 2000.[7]
Word won awards fromI.D. Magazine andPrint Magazine, among others and was placed in the permanent collection of theSan Francisco Museum of Modern Art, theWalker Art Center and theMuseum of the Moving Image.[8]
Word was originally owned by Icon CMT until its sale in April 1998 toZapata Corporation.[3][9] Zapata closed Word.com in August, 2000.[10]