alt Hacker NewsPresenting ads to a target audience IS the purpose for the magazine just as they are for TV, cable, radio, and every other media source. The articles, shows, or music are inducements to get you to read, watch, or listen which, in turn, motivates companys to pay to get their ads presented.
Absolutely from the publisher's/advertisers perspective, sure, but back in the day ads weren't something just to be tolerated by the consumer in order to get to the content, but actually valued by them as much as the content.