Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen: Olsen Twins Trading Acting for Editing?

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, whose initial success in the sitcom "Full House" led to expanded movie roles, have announced the launch of "Mary-Kate and Ashley", a magazine that will be published 6 times a year, beginning in March 2001. The twins, who are just 14 years old, will serve as editors-in-chief for the magazine, which will target young teenaged girls who are beyond childhood interests but not quite delving into boys and relationships.

Planned topics will include articles on fashion and beauty as well as the obligatory commentary on the idiosyncrasies of teenagers' lives, dealing with friends, school, etc. The intention of the publication will be to go beyond other magazines in the genre, which tend to focus heavily on fashion and cute boys rather than substantive content. "It's not going to be a fan magazine. It's going to be a real magazine," noted Robert Thorne, the president of the Dualstar Entertainment Group, the twins' production company.

The magazine is merely another coup for the twins, who can already boast a line of best-selling books, fashion dolls, and a video game. The young girls will also begin producing a line of clothing that will begin retailing in January 2001. "Mary-Kate and Ashley" will be published by H&S Media, which already produces "TeenStyle" and "The Powerpuff Girls Powerzine", and Wal-Mart, the superstore juggernaut, has already agreed to place 100,000 copies of the first issue in its stores.