R 141516Z FEB 13

ALCOAST 057/13
COMDTNOTE 5728
SUBJ: RETIREMENT OF COAST GUARD MAGAZINE
1.  For decades Coast Guard Magazine, in several forms, has been our
flagship publication providing news and feature stories about Coast
Guard missions, policies and the achievements of our Coast Guard
family.  Coast Guard Magazine discussed issues of concern to the
workforce and shared iconic imagery from across our Service,
providing information and entertainment.
2.  The continued growth of our Coast Guard social media program
provides us the opportunity to embrace advancements in real-time,
two-way communication to better share information and receive
feedback from the American people, those whom we regulate and, most
importantly, the Coast Guard family.  Our award-winning Compass blog,
along with our YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Twitter and Flickr
accounts, add viewership and followers each month as we expand
features and content.  Compass blog stories have been viewed almost
14 million times since its launch less than four years ago. More than
56,000 people view our content on Facebook each day and the Coast
Guard enjoys the third most-viewed public sector YouTube channel,
only behind NASA and the White House.
3.  As part of our ongoing commitment to integrate technology into
our communication with the Coast Guard family, we are retiring Coast
Guard Magazine as we continue the transition to a more comprehensive
social media program.  Our social media content already extends to
more diverse and wider audiences far exceeding the capabilities and
reach of Coast Guard Magazine.  Part of our transition will include
two new online tools called the Coast Guard All Hands blog and Coast
Guard Maritime Commons blog.  Coast Guard All Hands will facilitate
online communication with the Coast Guard family and Maritime Commons
will include content of interest to maritime industry.
4.  Coast Guard All Hands will allow us to provide more stories as
well as more timely and interactive content.  Coast Guard All Hands
will give us the ability to communicate with the Coast Guard family
through Internet browsers on computers, tablets and smart phones
wherever they may be and whenever they wish to access the
information. Furthermore, this two-way communication tool will allow
senior leadership to listen to what you have to say and consider your
feedback on how we do business as part of a larger organizational
growth process and commitment to serve the Coast Guard family.
5.  We appreciate that some members continue to have limited access
to digital media. We are working with the Area staffs to implement
mechanisms to periodically transmit blog entries to cutters underway
for extended periods and units in remote locations that can then be
made available locally for crews.
6.  The Fall 2012 issue currently being distributed will be the last
regular edition of Coast Guard Magazine published. Coast Guard
Magazine has been the premier magazine for generations of Coast Guard
men and women, tracing its roots back to the United States Lighthouse
Service.  It served us well and stood a taut watch.  It deserves an
honorable retirement.  Therefore, we intend to publish a final
commemorative edition of Coast Guard Magazine this summer.
7.  RDML Steven D. Poulin, Director of Governmental and Public
Affairs, sends.
8.  Internet release authorized.