Why Advertise in Harvard Magazine's Classifieds Section?

• Exclusive Audience: Access Harvard University's alumni, faculty, and staff—an engaged readership with high purchasing power.
• Proven Success: Advertisers have rented properties, sold homes, grown businesses, and even found life partners.
• Long-Term Trust: Many advertisers have partnered with us for over 20 years due to quality leads and results.
• Support Independent Journalism: Advertising helps fund 1/3 of Harvard Magazine’s budget, ensuring editorial independence.
• Flexible Options: Choose from text or display ads, specialty sections like the Harvard Authors' Bookshelf, and online add-ons to fit your needs.
• Cost-Effective Exposure: Reach a targeted, loyal audience at competitive rates with discounts for frequency and Harvard alumni businesses.
   
• Issue Dates and Deadlines
• Plain Text Ads
• Classified Display Ads
• Harvard Authors' Bookshelf
• Education & Enrichment Resource
• Terms
• Contact Information/Business Hours

Issue Dates and Deadlines

Harvard Magazine is published bi-monthly (6X/year).
 

2026 Issues                          Deadline                             Publication Date
January-February           November 14, 2025           January 1
March-April                      January 15                         March 1
May-June                            March 13                           May 1
July-August                       May 15                               July 1
September-October         July 15                               September 1
November-December    September 15                     November 1

Plain Text Ads
 

• 1-2 issues: $5.40 per word
• 3 issues: $4.86 per word (save 10%)
• 4-5 issues: $4.59 per word (save 15%)
• 6 issues: $4.32 per word (save 20%)
  
  Add-ons:
• Crimson border: $65      
• Star icon: $40     
• Bolded crimson class year: $10 (Harvard class years verified)   
• Website inclusion: $40
• Photo on website (not in print): $40
  
  Specifications:
• Minimum: 12 words
• Phone number = 1 word, Email/Website = 2 words, Abbreviations = the words they stand for
• First two words bolded free; extra bolding costs 2x the per-word rate.
  
  Submit:
  Use our online form or email your ad to classifieds@harvard.edu.
   

Classified Display Ads
 

• 1-2 issues: $420 per column inch
• 3 issues: $378 per column inch (save 10%)
• 4-5 issues: $357 per column inch (save 15%)
• 6 issues: $336 per column inch (save 20%)
  (Pricing differential for 1/2 page, 2/3 page, and full page classified display ads. Contact us for rates).

Harvard Alumni Business Discount: 50% off display ads (not applicable to plain text ads).

Website Inclusion: $40

Camera-ready display ad specifications: 

• Standard column width: 2.188 inches
• Minimum column height: 1 inch
• Format: The preferred format for classified display ads is high resolution (300 dpi) PDFs with fonts embedded or outlined
• Fonts: All text should be at least 6 pt minimum—or 8 pt minimum for white type knocked out of a colored background. Thin fonts should be avoided (at all sizes) when using white type knocked out of a colored background. Also, consider using serif fonts below 9pt which are more legible at tiny sizes.
• Images: Bright/light photos work the best. Image resolution should be 300 dpi (150 dpi min). Images taken from the web (72 dpi standard resolution) are not print-quality - it’s best to use originals when possible. Images should be converted CMYK (not RGB) for print. If we have to convert files to CMYK for you, please note, there could be a color shift and they may appear slightly darker.
• Canva files are not acceptable for print. If you submit a Canva file you will be charged a $70 fee for our designer to re-size and convert your file for print (if that’s possible).

Submit camera-ready ads to: classifieds@harvard.edu. 

Harvard Magazine Design Service: $70/hour (1-hour minimum)

• Submit Your Request: Click here to fill out our design request form
• Design Schedule: Design work is done on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  Submit by Tuesday → First proof available Thursday.
  Submit by Thursday → First proof available Tuesday.
• Proofs & Revisions:
  1. You'll receive a first proof of your ad for review.
  2. You can approve your ad—or request edits or design changes.
  3. You’ll receive a final proof of your ad for review.
  4. Changes after the final proof is approved will incur an additional $70 fee.
  5. Changes may not be submitted after the materials deadline has passed.
• Our design services ($70/hour, one-hour minimum) are intended for straightforward layout and production requests—not for branding or highly customized projects. To help us manage requests efficiently, please complete the design request form as noted above and include any supporting materials (photos, logos, sample ads, etc.). For complex or brand-focused work, we recommend engaging a professional design firm.
   

Harvard Authors' Bookshelf

The Harvard Authors' Bookshelf appears in Harvard Magazine twice a year and is open to Harvard alumni, faculty, and staff. Eligibility is verified through Harvard University records.

2026 Issues                            Deadline                   Publication Date
May-June                              March 10                  May 1
November-December       September 10           November 1
 

Harvard Authors' Bookshelf Ads: $595/book per issue

• Harvard Authors' Bookshelf ads showcase the front cover of your book jacket followed by 8 lines* of text which include in the following order:
  • Book title
  • Your name and Harvard affiliation
  • Brief descriptive text
• Ads may require editing for length* or clarity.
• Discounts (e.g., frequency or network) are not available for this ad type.
• We do not offer positioning guarantees—NO EXCEPTIONS. Ads are placed in the layout in first come, first paid order.
  
  *The number of characters that fit in each line can vary depending upon the content—we use tracking to adjust them. Please click here to view examples of Harvard Authors' Bookshelf ads with word counts for reference.  

Submit Your Ad: 
Click here to submit your ad. A proof will be sent to you for approval.
 

Education & Enrichment Resource

The Education & Enrichment Resource section is published in Harvard Magazine 4X/year.

2026 Issues                             Deadlines                      Publication Date
January-February              November 10, 2025      January 1
March-April                         January 9                      March 1
September-October            July 10                          September 1
November-December        September 10               November 1
 

Education & Enrichment Resource Ads:

Formatted Text Ad $275

Includes school/business name and website or phone in boldface, 6 lines of text, approximately 50 words depending on length. You will be contacted if your ad must be edited. Email your text to: classifieds@harvard.edu. A proof will be sent for your approval

Education & Enrichment Display Ad Options:

• 1.5” (2.188” X 1.5”): $385
• 1/12 page (2188” X 2.25”): $685
• 1/6 page (horizontal: 4.563” X 2.25”, vertical: 2.188” X 4.75”): $1,370
• 1/3 page (square: 4.563” X 4.75”, vertical: 2.188” X 9.625”): $2,740
  *For larger size options, please contact classifieds@harvard.edu
• Discounts (e.g., frequency or network) are not available for this ad type.
   
  Camera-Ready Display Ad Specifications:
• Format: The preferred format for classified display ads is high resolution (300 dpi) PDFs with fonts embedded or outlined
• Fonts: All text should be at least 6 pt minimum—or 8 pt minimum for white type knocked out of a colored background. Thin fonts should be avoided (at all sizes) when using white type knocked out of a colored background. Also, consider using serif fonts below 9pt which are more legible at tiny sizes.
• Images: Bright/light photos work the best. Image resolution should be 300 dpi (150 dpi min). Images taken from the web (72 dpi standard resolution) are not print-quality - it’s best to use originals when possible. Images should be converted CMYK (not RGB) for print. If we have to convert files to CMYK for you, please note, there could be a color shift and they may appear slightly darker.
• Canva files are not acceptable for print. If you submit a Canva file you will be charged a $70 fee for our designer to re-size and convert your file for print (if that’s possible).

Submit camera-ready ads to: classifieds@harvard.edu

Harvard Magazine Design Service: $70/hour (1-hour minimum)

• Submit Your Request: Click here to fill out our design request form
• Design Schedule: Design work is done on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  Submit by Tuesday → First proof available Thursday.
  Submit by Thursday → First proof available Tuesday.
• Proofs & Revisions:
  1. You'll receive a first proof of your ad for review.
  2. You can approve your ad—or request edits or design changes.
  3. You’ll receive a final proof of your ad for review.
  4. Changes after the final proof is approved will incur an additional $70 fee.
  5. Changes may not be submitted after the materials deadline has passed.
• Our design services ($70/hour, one-hour minimum) are intended for straightforward layout and production requests—not for branding or highly customized projects. To help us manage requests efficiently, please complete the design request form as noted above and include any supporting materials (photos, logos, sample ads, etc.). For complex or brand-focused work, we recommend engaging a professional design firm.

TERMS:

• Rates: Per issue and net.
• Positioning: No guarantees in the classifieds section.
• Ad Options: Choose print-only or web-only at the plain text or classified display ad rate.
• Payment: Pre-payment required via:
  • Credit card: MC, Visa, Amex, Discover (Call 617-496-6686 or Skype: hmagclassifieds)
  • U.S. check/money order: Mail to Harvard Magazine, Classifieds Dept., 7 Ware St., Cambridge, MA 02138.
• Policy: Ads are subject to publisher approval. Harvard Magazine reserves the right to decline or cancel any ad.

Contact Information/Business Hours: 

Gretchen Bostrom
Classified Advertising Manager
Harvard Magazine 
7 Ware St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-496-6686
Skype: hmagclassifieds
Email: classifieds@harvard.edu
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM EST. We will reply to you within 24 business hours (excluding holidays/time off)