REM Magazine’s Resilient Return to Print: Charting a Course Through Unprecedented Change in Canadian Real Estate

The past few years have been a profound lesson in adaptability and resilience for individuals, businesses, and even governments. We’ve witnessed firsthand how swiftly circumstances can pivot, compelling us to re-evaluate established norms and forge new paths. Just as a prime minister might seek to streamline governance by securing a parliamentary majority, businesses like ours have had to navigate complex shifts, often finding that genuine change is only warranted when foundational systems are truly broken. The adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” resonates deeply, yet sometimes, profound external forces leave us with no choice but to innovate.

For REM, the COVID-19 pandemic presented just such a force, compelling a fundamental re-evaluation of how we deliver critical news and analysis to Canada’s vibrant real estate sector. It marked a period of introspection, rapid evolution, and unwavering commitment to our mission. This journey, fraught with challenges, ultimately culminates in a triumphant return to a format we deeply value: print.

The Unprecedented Challenge: A Publishing Pivot Amidst Global Crisis

The year 2020 ushered in a global health crisis that reverberated through every facet of life and commerce. For REM, a cornerstone of Canadian real estate information since 1989, the initial shockwaves quickly manifested into an existential challenge. Our print magazine, a tangible and highly respected resource, relied on a robust distribution network reaching real estate offices across Canada. These offices served as hubs for professionals, places where our magazines were picked up, read, and discussed, forming an integral part of the industry’s information flow.

However, as lockdowns became the new normal and offices shuttered their doors, the very foundation of our print distribution model crumbled. The logistical impossibility of delivering magazines to empty buildings, coupled with the escalating costs of printing and shipping amidst economic uncertainty, forced a difficult but unavoidable decision. By April 2020, as the true gravity of the pandemic began to sink in across the nation, REM made the unprecedented move to suspend its print production. It was a stark moment, marking the end of an era for the time being, and plunging us into an entirely digital realm, seemingly overnight.

Embracing the Digital Frontier: REM’s Online Evolution

The pivot to an exclusively online news publication was not merely a reaction; it was a testament to our team’s agility and dedication. While the transition presented significant operational hurdles, it also accelerated our digital transformation initiatives, allowing us to focus entirely on enhancing our online presence. Our editorial team, accustomed to crafting content for both print and web, quickly adapted to a digital-first mindset, producing timely articles, in-depth analyses, and market commentary accessible instantly to a wider audience.

This period saw us refining our website, optimizing for mobile readership, and exploring new ways to engage with real estate professionals through digital channels. While we quickly established ourselves as a comprehensive online resource, ensuring that the critical flow of information to the Canadian real estate community remained uninterrupted, the absence of our print edition left a void. Despite the undeniable reach and immediacy of digital platforms, we deeply understood that print offered a unique value proposition that couldn’t be fully replicated online.

The Enduring Value of Print: Credibility, Authority, and Connection

For decades, print publications have been synonymous with gravitas, a perceived authority that goes beyond fleeting digital headlines. There’s a tangible quality to a well-produced magazine – the feel of the paper, the carefully curated layouts, the dedicated space it occupies on a desk or in a waiting room. This physical presence often lends an added layer of credibility and encourages a more focused, contemplative reading experience. In an age saturated with information, a print publication stands apart as a curated, authoritative voice.

For Canadian real estate professionals, REM in print has always been more than just a magazine; it’s a trusted companion, a reference guide, and a symbol of their industry. It’s a resource they can return to, highlight, and share, fostering a deeper connection than fleeting screen time often allows. This intrinsic value, this unique blend of credibility and tangibility, fueled our unwavering determination to return to print as soon as circumstances would permit. We believe that for nuanced analysis and high-impact features, print offers an unparalleled medium for engagement and long-term retention of information.

A Journey of Resilience: Setbacks and Unwavering Resolve

As summer 2020 drew to a close, a glimmer of hope emerged. Case numbers appeared to be receding, and the promise of a vaccine loomed on the horizon. Seizing this window of optimism, our team embarked on an ambitious project: a comprehensive redesign of REM, preparing for a grand re-entry into the print world. We poured our creative energy into modernizing our aesthetic, enhancing readability, and ensuring the visual appeal matched the depth of our content. Our October 2020 issue, proudly unveiled with its fresh look, was envisioned as the first of many to signal our triumphant return to regular publication.

However, fate, or rather, the relentless nature of the pandemic, had other plans. Just as we geared up for regular production, case numbers surged dramatically. Lockdowns were reimposed, and the dream of consistent print issues was, once again, put on hold. It was a disheartening setback, a stark reminder that the path to recovery was far from linear. Yet, even in the face of this disappointment, REM persevered. Our goal remained steadfast: to return to print, in whatever capacity possible, as soon as it was genuinely safe and sustainable to do so.

The Triumphant Return: Fall 2021 and a Glimpse of the Future

Over a year has elapsed since that hopeful, yet ultimately interrupted, October 2020 issue. Throughout this prolonged hiatus, REM, like countless other businesses, endured significant challenges, adapted continually, and above all, survived. It is with immense pride and a deep sense of accomplishment that we announce: the time for our return has finally arrived.

Our Fall 2021 issue is now officially out, marking our first physical magazine in over a year. This issue proudly showcases the new and improved design that was meticulously crafted during the earlier period of optimism, a testament to our enduring vision. This isn’t just another issue; it’s a powerful symbol of our resilience, our dedication to the Canadian real estate industry, and our belief in the continued importance of high-quality print journalism.

While this will be our sole print issue for 2021, consider it a vital first step, a re-establishment of our physical presence. We are not merely dipping our toes back into the water; we are actively charting a course for a comprehensive return. Our teams are already diligently working on plans for a full, regular schedule of print issues throughout 2022. This commitment signifies our confidence in the future, both for REM and for the dynamic Canadian real estate market we serve.

REM’s Unwavering Commitment: Independence, Integrity, Insight

Undoubtedly, much has changed at REM over the course of this unprecedented global health crisis, just as significant transformations have likely touched the lives and businesses of our cherished readers. However, amidst all the shifts and adaptations, one fundamental aspect of REM has remained absolutely constant: our unwavering commitment to providing independent, insightful, and impartial news and analysis of Canada’s real estate industry.

Since our inception in 1989, REM has been dedicated to serving Canadian real estate professionals with information they can trust – information that is critical, reliable, and often unavailable elsewhere. This commitment is etched into our DNA and forms the bedrock of our journalistic philosophy. We have adapted our format and our approach when necessity demanded, just as you, our valued readers, have admirably adapted your own professional practices.

Yet, the guiding principles that have defined REM for over three decades remain inviolable. Our dedication to journalistic integrity, our fierce independence from external pressures, and our mission to deliver objective insights have not, and will not, waver. We are still the REM you know and rely upon – a publication built on a foundation of trust and authoritative reporting.

In a world often prone to unnecessary overhauls, we firmly believe in preserving what is truly valuable and effective. We adapt to challenges, embrace innovation, but always safeguard our core strengths and values. After all, when it comes to the principles that truly matter – quality journalism, independence, and service to our community – we believe wholeheartedly: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!