RE: Magazine ad rates
Well to be honest rates fluctuating is certainly not a new thing. It is very common to have them ebb and flow based on the time of year, new expenses, new editors etc. What makes things hard in advertising is to go backward and then try to go forward in terms of rate increases.
WHen you slide a bit and give a deal then it is pretty hard to go back to full rate out of the blue.
Often you will see a "holiday" deal or a"customer appreciation" program which should read, (we are trying to drive up revenue this month for whatever reason and this will give a quick infusion). Typically the customer will appreciate the temporary dip and not complain when it goes back to full rate next month.