AARP magazine targets 'new 50'

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"Secrets of Your Sex Drive," "Ten Ways to Look 10 Pounds Thinner" and "Follow Your Dream — Find the Perfect Job Now."

Sound like the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine? Or maybe Men's Health? Think again. Those stories lead the latest issue of AARP — The Magazine, which isn't just for grandma and grandpa anymore.

Inside the magazine are pieces on the Rev. Billy Graham, exploring the rain forest and the coolest high-tech gifts, all a part of the membership organization's latest efforts at shifting its brand appeal to the younger 50s set.

While it was founded a half-century ago for retirees, the post-millennial AARP is busy aiming its publications, products and services like never before at the millions of baby boomers who are not only active, fit and career-minded, but who are rocking the demographics in nearly every consumer market nationwide.

"We are experiencing a lot of change in our society," says Emilio Pardo, the AARP's chief brand officer who is leading efforts to attract a younger and highly engaged clientele, which he calls "the new 50." "In many ways, you have not only boomers redefining retirement but also redefining life stages."

Mr. Pardo, 45, says the AARP, which is set to turn 50 next year, is changing its focus with the times. For example, he says, a 50-year-old woman today could be becoming a grandmother for the first time, could be a recent mother for the first time or could even be headed back to school and a new career after years of raising a family.

"All these women are 50, but they are in very different stages of theirs lives and experiencing 50 for themselves in a way many other Americans are experiencing it," he says. "It's about life stages more than age. That's a big change, and it's attitude versus age and life stage. We are breaking all of those preconceived notions and stereotypes as we are living longer and living a fuller life."

Deborah Quinnan, 46, says she reads AARP's magazine. Although she is a few years shy of the eligible membership age of 50, she says she was surprised to discover the publication appeals to her mind-set. After raising five children as a stay-at-home mom — her youngest is 15 — she recently started a new career as an aesthetician, working at an upscale day spa in Lansing, Mich.

Although she worries about retirement, she is in no way looking ahead as a time to slow down, but rather to get involved in not only her work but also in her community.

"When I first saw it in the mail, I said 'What are we getting this old person's magazine for?' But the articles were good and totally draw my attention," she says of the AARP magazine's appeal. "I feel young and I'm not on a traditional path. I'm going to be working for a long time. But the older I get, the more I care about things that can help maximize my life potential — now. They have inspirational stories of people who are making that happen."