Below are statements from: Bauer Media, H Bauer, Condé Nast, Dennis Publishing, Egmont, Future, Hearst Magazines UK, Imagine Publishing, Immediate Media, ShortList Media, Slimming World and DC Thomson.
Bauer Media
Bauer Media’s consumer magazine brands have delivered category-beating ABC performances within its core markets. The company continues to focus on its multi-platform strategy to engage with valuable audiences for commercial partners.
Bauer Media developments from January – June 2013 included the extension of Empire’s digital edition onto the Google Play platform furthering its reach and the launch of heat’s inaugural Twitter Awards which showcased unique content across all of heat’s channels. Bauer has also continued to build on long-term commercial partnerships including Jamesons and Empire for the Jamesons Empire Awards 2013 and Unilever’s VO5 Extreme Style and FHM for the ‘100 Sexiest Women In The World’.
Bauer Media continues to be differentiated through its scale, its multiple channel strategy and its influence with valuable audiences. This offers a premium environment for advertisers to engage consumers, as seen by the innovative commercial campaigns between Closer and Matalan, heat and Warner Brothers, and Grazia and Matches Fashion amongst others.
Paul Keenan, Chief Executive, Bauer Media, commented: “ABC figures are one important part of a wider picture that makes up a brand’s reach and influence. Our focus is all about building valuable audience reach through delivering content wherever, whenever and however consumers want it. heat, Grazia and Empire have all grown reach in this period through innovation by developing relevant and compelling content across all platforms”
CELEBRITY WEEKLIES
• heat (w) – 241,055
heat has outperformed the celebrity weekly market both period-on-period (POP) and year-on-year (YOY), demonstrating its unwavering focus on delivering the very best in celebrity news and entertainment every week.
The brand continues to grow across its multiple platforms. heat radio has delivered record Rajar results, posting 790,000 weekly listeners. heatworld consistently delivers over one million unique users (UU’s) per month. heat was also recognised for further developing its digital strategy. The heat extra app, with over 75,000 downloads, was awarded the Drum marketing award for brand extension strategy of the year.
• Closer (w) – 351,632
Closer outperforms the celebrity weekly market both in terms of POP and YOY. Closer’s unique mix of news, real-life and lifestyle content sets it apart from competitors as it remains the highest selling standalone title in the market. The Closer brand is set to further grow with a brand new website for the second half of 2013.
WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE
• Grazia (w) – 168,030
Grazia continues to outperform the weekly and monthly glossy market, growing its reach to upscale and influential women by delivering the ‘Who What Wear’ across multiple platforms.
The Grazia brand has demonstrated a deep understanding of its premium audiences’ needs by offering relevant content in print, online and on tablet devices. Grazia Daily continues to show significant growth with UU’s +25% YOY and the launch of Grazia’s innovative tablet edition adds value to our audience by allowing consumers to shop, share and save straight from the page. We connect and interact with our audiences every day via Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.
• Yours (f) - 274,030
Yours continues to go from strength to strength with a market-beating performance and stability +0.7% PoP and -2.4% YoY. Crucial to its success is a deep emotional connection with its 50+ readers every fortnight. This connection has enabled the Yours brand to continue to expand into every aspect of its readers’ lives, from events such as the well-established Yours Live and the exciting new Dancing with Yours weekender.
FILM
• Empire (m) – 160,067
Empire dominates the film market outselling the nearest competitor by over two and a half to one and is the number two in the wider men’s market. Over the last six months we have continued to invest in global brand growth, and as a truly cross-platform brand we have further enhanced our digital properties engaging film loving audiences across the world via our many touch points. Empire’s brand has grown by over 20% POP, with over 4 million brand interactions.
MUSIC MARKET
• MOJO (m) – 79,345
MOJO is the biggest title in the music market engaging an upscale, loyal audience with a quality, immersive music experience. MOJO will be celebrating its 20th anniversary later this year and with the launch of our newly re-designed, enhanced and fully responsive website we will drive further brand reach for passionate, music loving consumers.
GARDENING
• Garden News 33,460
Demonstrating strong innovation in print, Garden News has posted an inspiring 12.3% YoY circulation increase for the January-June 2013 period following a format change in February of this year; the biggest makeover in its 55-year history. Garden News continues to be a great value-for-money package full of unrivalled gardening content. Changing the format from a newspaper to an A4 glossy magazine has enabled the brand to reach a broader group of gardening enthusiasts.
H Bauer
WOMEN’S WEEKLIES – CLASSICS
Classic Market performance: 897,385
YOY -10.5%
POP -4.4%
• Bella
“Closing the Gap and Number one in full price sales”
Bella ABC: 209,022
YOY -8.8%
POP -4.3%
H Bauer’s Bella continues to go from strength to strength, posting an ABC of 209,022. Bella is closing the gap on its competitors in total copy sales. What’s more, Bella’s firm stand on pricing has reinforced its position as the no. 1 traditional women’s weekly in full price single-copy sales. This, combined with a strong focus on editorial quality has seen Bella grow year on year market share to 23.2%, whilst other titles in the market struggle to maintain their circulations despite heavy discounting and multi-pack activity.
WOMEN’S WEEKLIES – TRUE LIFE
True Life Market performance: 1,796,302
YOY -12.1%
POP -6.7%
• Take a Break
“Reigns supreme as the UK’s Number 1 women’s magazine”
Take a Break ABC: 720,600
YOY -8.4%
POP -3.9%
H Bauer's Take a Break continues to reign supreme as the UK’s no. 1 women’s weekly in the latest round of ABCs. With an ABC of 720,600 Take a Break is streets ahead of its competitors, comfortably outperforming the market both YOY, (down just -8.4% compared to double digit decreases from the market on the whole) and POP (down just -3.9% compared to a market average of -6.7%). Take a Break has now dominated women’s magazines for over 21 years; its mix of captivating true life stories, prize puzzles and competitions is still the clear favourite amongst UK women.
• That's Life!
“Market beating performance”
That’s Life! ABC: 275,190
YOY -9.8%
POP -6.5%
Meanwhile, with an ABC of 275,190, H Bauer’s that’s life! is ahead of the market both period on period and year on year. That’s life! continues to engage a younger weekly audience with a winning mix of inspirational, emotional and incredible true life stories.
H Bauer’s Take a Break and that’s life! combined now account for an impressive 55% share of the entire true life market.
TV LISTINGS
TV Listings Market performance: 3,817,998
YOY -6.0%
POP -5.9%
• TV Choice
“UK’s Number 1 magazine succeeds in beating the competition”
TV Choice ABC: 1,282,276
YOY +0.3%
POP +4.2%
H Bauer’s TV Choice posts its 12th consecutive ABC as the nation’s no.1 paid for magazine. Undeterred by the aggressive and much publicised launch and subsequent closure of TV Pick, TV Choice has comfortably retained its position at the heart of family television viewing in the UK. As we head into the exciting new season of television, TV Choice is once again in the perfect position to further consolidate its performance over the coming months.
• Total TV Guide
“Bauer’s premium Listings magazine holds its position despite the price war”
Total TV Guide ABC:110,305
YOY -8.9%
POP -9.0%
The fierce price war at the value end of the market affected all titles in the listings market including premium titles. However the long awaited new look Total TV Guide was successfully introduced in June, improving the already comprehensive title and providing the best listings service in the market.
COOKERY
Cookery Market performance: 541,820*
YOY -8.6%
POP -11.3%
• Eat In
“Helping readers rediscover the Joy of Home Cooking”
Eat In ABC: 19,784
YOY -10.2%
POP -15.0%
As the economy shows little sign of improvement households are always looking at creative ways to make the most of what they have. Eat In focusses on providing simple, quick and cheap ideas to provide tasty and nutritional meals for the whole family. This focus ensured that Eat In delivered a market beating performance at the newsstand.
* Bauer’s figures do not include non-ABC or retailer’s own magazines
SPIRITUAL
Spiritual Market performance: 58,847*
• Spirit & Destiny
“Spirit & Destiny dominates the Spiritual Lifestyle Sector”
Spirit & Destiny ABC: 41,042
YOY -11.9%
POP -13.2%
With an ABC of 41,042, H Bauer’s Spirit & Destiny dominates the market as number 1. Spirit & Destiny informs and inspires its readers with its comprehensive approach to all things esoteric, from astrology and psychics to holistic therapies and alternative lifestyles.
* Bauer’s figures include esoteric titles that do not release ABCs
David Goodchild, CEO, H Bauer Publishing: “Nobody likes to see negative numbers. However it is far too easy to dismiss the value, power and role magazines play both in the UK economy but most importantly in our readers’ lives. TV Choice’s determined defence of its market position and protection of the quality, service and familiarity it provides for its readers bears absolute testament to that value. In the face of an unparalleled attempt to establish a foothold in the market using price at the core of its proposition, TV Pick ultimately failed to persuade our readers to break the bond they have with TV Choice. That is the power of magazines.
H Bauer continues to be home to the biggest household names in UK publishing generating over 150 million copies sold per year. The passion our readers have for their favourite magazines is proof, if there was ever any doubt, that the future of magazines is strong.”
Condé Nast
Our quality glossy titles continue to set the editorial benchmark, while performing strongly against competitors in circulation terms.
• Vogue
Vogue announces a new circulation of 200,608, and remains the dominant magazine in the fashion and luxury market. This is the first period in which the enhanced digital edition of the magazine has been available for all issues, sales of which are increasing month on month. Total combined subscriptions are up 2.1% year on year.
• House & Garden
With a new circulation of 124,036, House & Garden has increased digital sales by 9% period on period.
• Tatler
Tatler posts a circulation of 86,178, maintaining its position as the chronicle of Britain’s high society. Tatler's digital sales are up by +64% year on year.
• The World of Interiors
Announcing a new circulation of 62,003, The World of Interiors is level period on period.
• GQ
GQ reports a solid performance, reinforcing its position as the market-leading quality men’s monthly, with a circulation of 130,009. This shows an increase in actively purchased copies year on year.
• Vanity Fair
A new circulation of 96,685 is announced for Vanity Fair. Digital sales have increased by 7.5% period on period.
• Condé Nast Traveller
The world’s most discerning travel title, Condé Nast Traveller announces monthly sales of 80,139, with UK actively purchased copies up 1.2%. It remains the dominant upmarket British travel magazine.
• Glamour
The market leader, Glamour posts a new circulation of 404,946. Monthly interactive digital replica editions launched during this period, and downloads are increasing month on month.
• Wired
Wired has a new circulation of 57,481, an increase of 0.2% year on year. Sales of the digital edition show strong growth, increasing 54.2% year on year.
• GQ Style and Love
GQ Style, the definitive guide to men’s fashion in the UK, continues to perform strongly, while bi-annual style magazine Love has just published its ‘Hello Sweetie’ 5th anniversary issue, and is recognised as the agenda setting title in the edgy style sector.
Nicholas Coleridge, Managing Director of Condé Nast, comments: “Our sales show magazines continue to play an important role in the lives of our discerning readers, bucking the trend in several cases. Print remains encouragingly in demand, while research released earlier this week by Condé Nast shows that readers engage with magazines for similar amounts of time, irrespective of whether consumed in print or digital format.
We will continue to offer readers the highest quality editorial on the platform of their choice.”
Dennis Publishing
Dennis Publishing, one of the UK’s leading independent media companies, can today announce its significant digital circulation growth across its fitness titles, reflecting the business’s commitment to deliver cross-platform content to its readers.
The publisher’s flagship title, The Week, delivers yet another ABC increase, despite opting to not report on its digital circulation figures, which boasts over 786,000 issues downloaded in the first half of 2013.
James Tye, CEO of Dennis Publishing, said: “It's fantastic to see The Week growing its circulation in print once again but also frustrating that we can't give our advertisers the full picture in this ABC release. We have over 20,000 digital, paying subscribers reading The Week on iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle but due to current reporting regulations we are unable to recognise this audience in the audit. I think it is time for the audit process to accept that not all publishers or indeed consumers want simple page replicas of their favourite brands on tablet devices."
Dennis Publishing ABC in numbers:
* The Week – Up 3.1% YOY to 197,255
* Dennis Fitness Division sees significant increase in digital sales, with best selling January issues
* Women’s Fitness delivers 270.7% increase in digital, reaching a combined increase on 0.1% YOY to 21,302
* Health & Fitness sees a 14% digital increase, delivering a combined circulation of 26,045
* Men’s Fitness delivers 10.3% digital increase thanks to its new fully interactive HTML5 app, developed by the Dennis in-house app development team using Padify software, which launched in January.
* Land Rover Monthly – up 0.6% YOY to 21,290
Egmont
Egmont Magazines, the children’s magazine division of Egmont UK, enjoyed a strong set of ABC results for the period January – June 2013, with own brand title: Toxic leading the circulation increases.
The strength of Egmont’s own brand magazines was demonstrated by continued growth for Toxic, which remains the UK’s number one tween boy’s magazine. The title reported its fourth consecutive period of growth, with a 22.1% growth yoy and 11.7% growth pop. Following its first interactive issue in partnership with ‘Aurasma’ last year, as well as the launch of the bespoke website, Toxic announced its first two apps in June.
Extending the Toxic brand to entertainment apps, Bug Blatter and Meerkat Me both offered readers the chance to enjoy fun games on the iPad and iPhone, continuing the title’s investment in digital developments. The magazine has also continued to partner with some of the leading third party brands.
Go Girl, Egmont’s own brand title for pre-teen girls, also reported consecutive periods of growth, with circulation increases of 6.6% yoy and 9.5% pop. This, along with the success of Toxic, demonstrates the success and expertise of Egmont’s own brand magazines and their ongoing appeal to UK consumers.
The growth of the Girls Portfolio proves that Egmont remains the leading expert in the primary girls magazine portfolio, with circulation increasing 32.6% yoy and 2.8% pop. Within the portfolio, following their launch last year, both Monster High and Hello Kitty have sustained their growth, with 14.3% and 12.2% pop increases respectively. In a further development of the brand, Monster High launched its first app last month. Based on content from the magazine, the app features interactive stories, plus a design section for personalised Monster High creations. Readers can earn pins which update their toolbox with graphics and stickers for use in the design section and fans can visit the Monster Store in the app for additional stories, webisodes, pins and other features.
The Thomas group, including Thomas Express and Thomas & Friends, also performed well, with a 6.1% pop circulation increase. The strength of the Thomas brand is clear, with it remaining one of only two pre-school brands in a position to publish two magazines.
Egmont’s investment in new titles remains strong, with the Disney Portfolio home to new launch Disney Stars, which went on sale last month.
Debbie Cook, Director of Magazines, Egmont Publishing Group said: “We’re really proud of this set of ABC results for Egmont’s magazine portfolio and in particular it’s great to see our own brand titles continue to thrive in such a tough market.
It’s brilliant that our continued investment in digital extensions to our magazines, as well as in new launches, has yielded success, and both of these areas will remain a priority for us.
These results prove that we remain the leading experts in both the pre-tween boys and girls markets, which is something we really value. By continuing to ensure we remain at the forefront of the children’s magazine sector and in touch with our readers, we are able to work with advertisers to develop unique opportunities to reach their target audience via our brands.”
Future
Future, the international media group and leading digital business, today unveils the latest round of ABC figures for Total Film in the period January to June 2013.
Posting a combined print and digital ABC of 73,192, the digital edition has delivered a normalised period-on-period increase of 21.5%, with a monthly circulation of 12,280. The fully interactive iPad edition of Total Film was launched in May last year and was named Film Magazine of the Year at the Digital Magazine Awards in December.
As an exemplar of a modern multi-platform brand, Total Film continues to extend its overall brand reach serving its audience online, via social media, on mobile, through events and in print and digital editions.
For June 2013 www.totalfilm.com delivered 2.45 million global unique users, up 27% year-on-year. Total Film’s social media audience for June 2013 included 145,932 Facebook Likes, up 21% year-on-year, 172,229 Twitter followers, up 73% year-on-year and over 290,000 followers on Tumblr. While on mobile, Total Film now reaches 758,783 global unique users.
Clair Porteous, Deputy MD Film & Games, says: “It is extremely promising to see our award-winning digital edition post a period-on-period increase. Total Film is a truly multiplatform brand, producing must-read content across a multitude of touch points. Although we face challenging conditions in a highly competitive print sector, it is encouraging that Total Film’s print circulation exceed those of brands such as Esquire and Q. Our brand reach is bigger than ever and continues to go from strength-to-strength.”
Hearst Magazines UK
Hearst Magazines UK, Hearst Corporation’s principal business in the UK, has announced Jan - Jun 2013 combined ABC figures for print and digital editions.
Hearst Magazines UK, which publishes 20 magazines and 20 websites in the UK, delivers a solid circulation performance for a number of its key brands as well as continued growth of digital editions across the whole portfolio up 13% year on year.
The on-going growth of digital editions is a key focus for the business with editorial teams realigned across print and digital, new appointments from leading digital companies such as AOL and Microsoft, and significant investments in development to deliver an exceptional digital experience to the consumer.
Amongst other highlights in the latest ABC results, Hearst Magazines UK has delivered record combined ABCs for both Women’s Health and ELLE Decoration, up 6.1% year on year and 2.7% year on year respectively. Hearst UK-owned Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Inside Soap and Men’s Health also continue to dominate the market in their respective competitive sets.
Highlights include:
* Women’s Health, launched in Feb 2012, grows for the second consecutive ABC period with combined print and digital sales up 3.0% period-on-period and 6.1% year on year to 107,695.
* Highest ever ABC for ELLE Decoration, print 71,028 and combined print and digital sales of 77,512 - up 2.7% year on year.
* Average issue sales of digital editions across the portfolio have increased by 13% year on year and 1% period on period
* 10 out of 19 digital editions published by Hearst Magazines UK have delivered double digit growth both period on period and year on year.
* Men’s Health continues to dominate the men’s lifestyle sector with combined print and digital sales increasing 0.2% period-on-period to 215,759.
* Country Living, Good Housekeeping and Inside Soap continue to be market leaders in their respective competitive sets.
Arnaud de Puyfontaine, Chief Executive, Hearst Magazines UK, says: “The latest combined ABC figures reflect the way our consumers are interacting with our brands across social, digital and print. Our presence in the UK market continues to strengthen and we have a number of exciting launches in the pipeline including new online branded shops and a fantastic new product for Esquire. Our magazines, including the incredible success story that is Women’s Health, continue to dominate their respective markets, while our well-targeted commercial strategy ensures our titles remain the go to brands for our partners and clients.”
MONTHLIES
• Company: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 93,269
Print ABC: 90,726 / Digital ABC: 2,543
In the past two years, Company has focused its strategy on engaging with a new, digitally fashion and beauty-obsessed audience. Starting with major re-design of the magazine in 2012, Company has since launched a weekly mobile app, a growing website and live events business which have all helped the brand further connect with its consumer. The commercial opportunities for brands to engage with this important, influencer audience across the Company universe have also increased, leading to innovative and rewarding partnerships.
• Cosmopolitan: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 310,149
Print ABC: 300,255 / Digital ABC: 9,894
With an audience of four million across the Cosmopolitan portfolio and the largest readership in its market of over 1.4m, Cosmopolitan remains the go to media brand for smart and savvy young women. Cosmopolitan’s unique editorial position and tone of voice engages Cosmopolitan women 24 hours a day across a multitude of digital touch points with more than two million UV’s on Cosmo.co.uk. Innovation and launches are core components to the Cosmopolitan brand with award winning Cosmo on Campus, Cosmo Body, Cosmosutra and Cosmo Beauty all becoming established brands. Cosmopolitan Fashion stand-alone launching Sept will add another dimension to the growing brand and offers new and exciting partnership opportunities for commercial partners.
• Country Living: Total combined print and digital ABC – 188,200
Print ABC: 184,973 / Digital ABC: 3,227
Country Living is at the heart of the rural revival, leading the market sector by more than 60,000 UK actively purchased sales and posting a combined print and digital ABC of 188,200. Alongside the successful print magazine, the Country Living world now includes 12 shows, three bookazines, and an ever growing digital community, a Country Living sofa range exclusively available at DFS and the internationally successful Farmer Wants a Wife TV series.
• ELLE: Total combined print and digital ABC – 177,094
Print ABC: 170,286/ Digital ABC: 6,808
British ELLE continues to be one of the most innovative luxury fashion brands in the UK. During the last six months the ELLE brand has expanded its reach and influence with the website and magazine now reaching a combined total of 987,000 readers every month. ELLE is the biggest UK woman’s magazine brand on Facebook and has a combined social media reach of more than 1.5m across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. ELLE recently launched the 15th edition of its award-winning British catwalk bible, ELLE Collections complete with a Chinese shopping guide, and its first ever online beauty shop – www.shopelleuk.com.
• ELLE Decoration: Total combined print and digital ABC – 77,512
Print ABC: 71,028 / Digital ABC: 6,484
ELLE Decoration continues its amazing success posting its seventh successive period on period total print ABC increase. In addition, the leading lifestyle design bible has posted its highest ever combined print ABC & digital figure, up 0.2% period on period and 2.7% year on year, reflecting the success and strength of the brand. ELLE Decoration, winner of the PPA Specialist Consumer Magazine of the Year award, has published the second edition of the bi-annual ELLE Decoration Country as well as the new digital only edition of ELLE Decoration Collections, which includes video interviews with designers and noted future classics.
• Esquire: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 58,137
Print ABC: 52,801 / Digital ABC: 5,336
The Esquire universe continues to grow with the re-launch of its website, resulting in an increase of 39.28% unique users and 46.88% page views year-on-year, and the imminent launch of a ground breaking weekly edition on iPad. The 5th September launch of the fully actionable app is being fully supported by Apple, and will see the delivery of Hearst UK’s largest media plan since the launch of Women's Health in 2012.
• Good Housekeeping: Total combined print and digital ABC – 400,228
Print ABC: 395,661 / Digital ABC: 4,567
The leading women’s lifestyle magazine, Good Housekeeping continues to lead this market with a subscription file of more than 50% of the Total ABC, highlighting the strength of this brand. Good Housekeeping has a huge female readership of more than 1.2m and massive brand reach with its ever growing website, series of standalones, Good Housekeeping Institute approved products and Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended products, licensed products and books.
• Harper’s Bazaar: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 117,938
Print ABC: 112,895/ Digital ABC: 5,043
Harper's Bazaar continues to go from strength to strength as Editor-in-Chief Justine Picardie's first six months demonstrate a strong 1.8% increase period on period for actively purchased copies. Combined circulation for print and digital editions is up 0.9% period on period. Digitally, Harpersbazaar.co.uk has enjoyed incredible growth, with average monthly unique users up 60% period on period, and average page views also up 65.7%. The brand has developed key partnerships with matching premium brands including the V&A, PAD (the Pavilion of Art & Design), the Royal Palaces and Bicester Village.
• House Beautiful: Total combined print and digital ABC – 121,880
Print ABC: 120,588 / Digital ABC: 1,292
In a very competitive market, House Beautiful maintains a healthy position, posting a total ABC of 121,880. A combination of a strong subscription base (40%), the ongoing success of the House Beautiful sofa ranges exclusively in DFS stores, the fantastic partnership with the Prince’s Foundation at this year’s Ideal Home Show and the popular Christmas standalone continue to highlight the consumer desire for this brand has.
• Men’s Health: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 215,759
Print ABC: 203,741 / Digital ABC: 12,018
Men’s Health continues to be the star performer within the men’s lifestyle market, extending its lead as the no.1 selling men’s magazine to a total combined ABC sale of 215,759. This is an increase of 0.2% period-on-period, driven primarily by UK actively-purchased print sales, which jumped 0.9% against the previous 6 month’s ABC.
• Prima: Total combined print and digital ABC – 251,460
Print ABC: 250,628 / Digital ABC: 832
Prima remains a huge driving force on the high street, and is one of the highest selling women’s magazines in the UK. As well as supporting an ever growing array of standalones, shows and the Prima High Street Fashion Awards, its key pillars of great advice, brilliant craft ideas and the best high street buys continue to resonate with the modern consumer.
• Red: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 205,908
Print ABC: 202,463 / Digital ABC: 3,445
Red’s unique editorial proposition continues to drive high engagement with a powerful and influential demographic in the UK. With an AB profile of more than 46% Red represents luxury lifestyle across all platforms. Red’s engagement with the consumer is extremely high across all content areas and cemented by significant consumer revenues on Red Direct - a pioneering proposition allowing the audience to buy into the Red lifestyle. Under new editor, Sarah Bailey, from Spring 2013, Red will soon unveil the next chapter in its continuing success story.
• Women’s Health: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 107,695
Print ABC: 102,116 / Digital ABC: 5,579
Women’s Health, which launched last year with the highest debut ABC of any women’s glossy for seven years, has built upon its incredible success with another record ABC. Both print and digital editions have registered period-on-period and year-on-year increases with combined sales growing 3.0% period on period and a very healthy 6.1% year on year. This significant growth in circulation is the latest in a string of achievements for Women’s Health which include its recent debut readership figure of 614,000, and the successful launch of a responsive-design website and a bookazine.
• Zest: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 67,787
Print ABC: 64,956 / Digital ABC: 2,831
A new-look Zest magazine this year cements its position as the number one monthly Health and Beauty title. Zest women are participating in Zest events, online content and news-stand specials alongside their favourite magazine. Nearly 2,000 readers ran the Zest Challenge in June and online users are up 60% year on year. Zest is a positive lifestyle brand for well-intentioned women everywhere.
WEEKLIES
• Best: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 212,459
Print ABC: 212,110 / Digital ABC: 349
Best’s 25th anniversary has been marked by a major magazine refresh which has already resulted in improved sales of more than 7,000 copies per week. The simultaneously launched BestDaily.co.uk has had 483K visits since launch and offers the Best consumer a truly multiplatform experience.
• Real People: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 174,361
Print ABC: 173,840 / Digital ABC: 521
Reader favourite Real People continues to out-perform the real life sector and gain share. This innovative team has launched an impressive collection of puzzle apps under their Florence the Cow sub-brand which have been downloaded over 25k times since their launch in February 2013.
• Reveal: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 174,226
Print ABC: 172,768 / Digital ABC: 1,458
Reveal’s rapid transition to a multi-platform brand continues with a record beating 4.4 million unique users since launch in July 2012 including more than 2.7 million unique visitors in this ABC period. In July, Reveal built on this period’s 38k digital edition sales by launching iOS optimised ‘The Reveal early edition’ which is on sale Saturdays; three days before the competitive set!
• Inside Soap: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 144,368
Print ABC: 142,682 / Digital ABC: 1,686
With preparations in full swing for this year’s 2014 Inside Soap Awards in October, the UK’s No1 soap title, Inside Soap, continues to rule the roost. Digital edition sales have almost doubled in this period and in June, Inside Soap launched an iOS interactive edition with extra galleries, interactive electronic programme guide and soap crossword.
• All About Soap: Total combined print and digital edition ABC – 69,562
Print ABC: 68,487 / Digital ABC: 1,075
All About Soap continues to offer fans their fix of soap gossip and fun. This soap fortnightly puts in a healthy performance while almost tripling its digital edition sales.
Imagine Publishing
Imagine Publishing’s international success story, How It Works, has scored its highest-ever ABC across print and digital formats
Global multimedia content producer Imagine Publishing is proud to announce that How It Works magazine has achieved its greatest ABC results to date.
The ABC consumer report for January to June 2013 confirms a new record print figure of 38,012 – a rise of 8.2 per cent over the previous six months. The magazine’s popular digital edition has also achieved a record increase of 9.7 per cent for the period with sales of 10,603. This keeps the title firmly among the highest-selling consumer digital magazines in the UK.
Editor Helen Porter said: “It’s thrilling to announce these fantastic ABC results on the same day that our landmark 50th issue goes on sale. We’re confident that the consistently high-quality features and production values of How It Works are to thank for this continued success.”
“Yet again the quality and innovation of this title has been reflected in another six months of significant growth,” added Account Manager Liz Tucker. “How It Works enables its advertisers to tap into that unique sweet spot in the market, helping them reach consumers who engage with new and exciting products. These high – and rising – figures correspond with the public’s growing appetite for the unique brand of informative entertainment that How It Works is perfectly placed to offer.”
Since it became available across all digital formats, the How It Works app has never strayed from the bestsellers list. And with its superb range of innovative print and digital products, the How It Works brand is primed and ready for another outstanding performance in the next period too.
IPC Media
Charlie Meredith, managing director, IPC Advertising says: “IPC continues to see great success in delivering our famous brands across multiple platforms, providing fantastic content focused on consumers’ passionate interests, when, where and how they want it.
“In print, whether consumers are investing in their homes or moving house, they consistently turn to IPC Southbank’s home interest portfolio for inspiration, driving growth at both the value and premium end of the market for our titles. The women’s weekly titles also enjoyed a buoyant period, and those sport and lifestyle titles reporting an ABC this period also performed well.
“This period’s ABC results see a positive performance from IPC’s digital editions, with 27 brands publishing digital magazine certificates this period. IPC has 70 brands publishing regular frequency digital editions as well as over 20 one-shots and specials, which continue to grow in popularity with consumers in the UK and overseas.”
IPC’s ABC results include:
In the women’s weekly market, IPC Connect’s Woman, Woman’s Own and Women’s Weekly all posted strong ABC results and outperformed their respective markets year-on-year.
Woman’s Own’s was the best performing title in the women’s lifestyle market, taking the brand into second place in this sector with an ABC of 220,568, following a successful refresh late last year and on-going editorial development.
Woman retained its market leading position in the sector with an ABC of 255,685, extending its lead over its competitors for the fourth consecutive period with the biggest margin in the market since the January to June 2006 ABC period. Woman continues to stay in tune with its core audience of 40-plus women, offering a smart, stylish read reflecting their busy, modern lives.
Posting an ABC of 317,220, Woman’s Weekly’s market beating year-on-year performance in the mature end of the women’s weekly sector saw its share of sales increase to 47%. The brand continues to expand with the launch of two books later in the year and its second show – Woman’s Weekly Live – in the autumn.
IPC Southbank continues to be the clear market leader in the home interest sector with share of market of over 47%. Its eight-strong portfolio, including online homes portal housetohome.co.uk, caters to every interiors enthusiast, from country to urban, modern to traditional and budget to upmarket.
Ideal Home retains its number one spot as the UK’s biggest homes magazine and reports substantial growth, up 4.0% on the period and 2.5% on the year to deliver an ABC of 198,075.
Style at Home has cemented its position in the value end of the market, and reports one of the biggest ABC increases in the whole magazine sector, up 9.1% on the period and an outstanding 19.9% on the year to deliver an ABC of 95,916.
Livingetc posts growth on the period of 3.7% taking its ABC to 94,823 and retains its position as the biggest-selling modern homes magazine. The title continues to meet the needs of its affluent, design-savvy readers.
In the TV sector, amidst much upheaval in the value end of the market, What’s on TV posts an ABC of 1,083,198, with its strong brand and quality editorial attracting loyal consumers despite heavy price discounting from competitors. The title continues to deliver significant sales value to retailers and in the value sector is the number one title in terms of sales value, delivering £3.9m more revenue that its nearest competitor, which saw value decline by 15.3%. In the soap sector, Soaplife enjoyed a 2.3% total period-on-period growth. With an ABC of 75,533, the title is the leading title in the fortnightly soap market.
This ABC period sees Golf Monthly significantly increase its market share with a strong combined print and digital ABC of 55,778. The Inspire monthly also delivers a market-leading retail sales value for retailers within this period. Multiplatform publishing continues to deliver ever increasing value for advertisers with sales of digital editions increasing this period by over 60%.
Amateur Gardening remains market leader in the weekly gardening sector, with an ABC of 36,274. With strong period-on-period growth of both newsstand sales and total sales, up 14.6% and 9.9% respectively, Amateur Gardening also continues to deliver more retail sales value for retailers than any other weekly gardening magazine.
Immediate Media
Immediate Media Co, the special interest content and platform company, continues to outperform the consumer magazine market with its combined print and digital circulation of 2,780,656 representing -0.97% year on year. Immediate retains its leadership position in this period for subscriptions in the UK with 830k.
Immediate Media Co CEO, Tom Bureau said: “I’m delighted that Immediate continues to lead the consumer magazine market with our portfolio-wide performance. As the special interest content and platform company, our focus is to create brands and content that inspire our consumers’ passions.
Exclusively focusing on special interest brands is a good place to be, as these results show. We are less than 1% down year over year. Our brands continue to thrive as print products, at the same time as we develop them into multi-platform businesses.”
Building on the company’s longer term cross-media strategy, Immediate’s digital portfolio shows impressive growth of 310% year on year in the latest ABCs (now at 43,450).
Star performers contributing to this strong ABC performance in January – June 2013:
• Radio Times remains the UK’s biggest selling quality magazine. It is the most valuable at the newsstand with continued RSV growth and has outperformed the TV Listings market as a whole. It is also the biggest selling weekly subscription magazine with YoY growth of 1.7%
• BBC History Magazine sees growth across all platforms (newsstand, subscriptions and digital) and achieves its highest ever ABC with a combined 83,963, up 15.8% year on year, with strong growth for its digital editions currently at 8,770.
• BBC Good Food remains the number one food monthly. It has outperformed the market and increased market share. Good Food now has five times more subscribers than its nearest competitor. Good Food subscriptions are 150,384 more than all its 7 rivals combined.
• BBC Top Gear combined print and digital ABC makes it the strongest performer in the motoring market. It outsells its nearest competitor by nearly three copies to one in this period. Amazing debut performance for fully interactive iPad version the fifth best selling magazine app.
• BBC Focus achieves another great performance with year on year growth in print and digital with an increase of +5.74% YoY (combined)
Youth & Children’s – Immediate’s children’s portfolio shows 5.27% YoY growth, maintaining its position as market leader in the sector. Particularly strong performances by pre-school titles Mike the Knight and Octonaunts, with period on period growth of 6.59% and 14.43% respectively, and recently launched Blossom.
ShortList
Figures released today by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) show continued dominance for ShortList in the men’s market and further growth in terms of share for Stylist in the women’s fashion and lifestyle sector, with both titles increasing by 0.5% in the last six months and 1% over the last year.
ShortList’s new weekly ABC is 534,494 and is the title’s eleventh consecutive increase stretching back to launch in 2007. With a lead of 228k copies, ShortList consolidated its position at 75% larger than the number two title, Time Out and 162% larger than the nearest monthly title, Men’s Health.
In the last six months Shortlist has delivered more ground-breaking work which once again demonstrates the remarkable engagement the title has with its readers. The stalwarts of ShortList: A-List cover stars, intelligent content, bold design and exclusives across style, grooming, film and music have continued, and in this forthcoming period a new emphasis on tech will add to the mix, including the launch of a new technology design awards.
Editor Martin Robinson says: “ShortList is the biggest men’s magazine in the country, and are thrilled to see continued growth. The demand for ShortList is a direct result of having the most innovative, surprising and downright fun magazine in the market, and one which truly engages modern men.”
Stylist has seen its audited ABC stretch to 435,768 during this period. This is a seventh consecutive ABC increase for the brand. In market share terms, Stylist represents 20.7% of the market – and is the weekly market leader, some 267k copies per week ahead of Grazia. Just to round off a fantastic six months Shortlist Media launched Stylist France in a joint venture with Groupe Marie Claire, an outstanding achievement for a magazine just three and a half years old.
Lisa Smosarski, editor of Stylist says: “As Stylist enters their fifth year, appetite for the brand remains as strong as ever. The Stylist readers consistently say more copies could be distributed and these figures further cement their loyalty and engagement.”
Publishing Director Glenda Marchant says: “Shortlist Media print brands go from strength to strength not only editorially but commercially too. Year on year they have seen an increase of 9.6% in commercial revenue and this autumn looks set to be bigger still with new clients from The Gucci Group to Burberry advertising with the titles, it’s an incredibly exciting time!”
Mike Soutar CEO for Shortlist Media Ltd adds: “I am incredibly proud of the teams working so hard to produce our print brands every week. I must take this opportunity to pay tribute to the relentless diligence and unarguable talent of our Distribution team who ensure that our brands enjoy the full benefit of our unique nationwide distribution network. Their efforts on our behalf are never more apparent than at each successive ABC audit release”.
Slimming World
Slimming World magazine has cemented its place at the top of the UK women’s glossy magazine market, official figures have shown.
The title, which is produced in-house by UK weight loss organisation Slimming World, is celebrating today after latest ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations) figures for January to June 2013 recorded a year-on-year increase in its circulation for the 7th year running.
The magazine achieved a circulation of 438,559 for the period meaning it continues to be the best-selling title in the Women’s Diet and Health sector, a spot it has occupied for seven and a half years. It also holds on to the top 6 slot in the actively purchased magazine charts and remains the number one UK glossy, an accolade it first attained in the July to December 2012 ABCs.
Editor Elise Wells says: “Slimming titles have traditionally been seen as niche titles, however, our circulation puts us firmly in the mainstream. It’s a huge achievement, especially as other titles in the sector are seeing their figures go in the opposite direction.”
Slimming World magazine, which supports members of Slimming World’s 10,000 weekly slimming groups as well as introducing new people to the club via the newsstand, is published seven times a year. It features real-life success stories sourced from group members, a food section that rivals some of the best-selling food titles, practical and emotional features, and shopping and fashion pages.
Today’s ABC figures show Slimming World magazine has increased its circulation 4.4% year on year, extending its dominance in the Women’s Diet and Health sector as it’s the only title in the sector to record an increase year on year. It now outsells closest rival WeightWatchers magazine by 287,864 copies per issue (WeightWatchers magazine recorded a circulation of 150,695 and is ranked number 50 in the actively purchased magazine charts).
Elise adds: “There’s no doubt that the difficult economic climate is a huge challenge for the whole industry. However, we’re delighted that our figures show that when the content mix is right and a title offers real value for readers’ money – so it feels like a justifiable treat – people will buy magazines. Our readers tell us they dip in and out of issues throughout the whole on-sale period, and we know they hold on to them even after that rather than passing them on to friends and family or throwing them out. One reader wrote to tell us he had every issue we’ve ever produced!”
She credits much of the success to the fact that the magazine has been produced from Slimming World’s head office in Derbyshire ever since it began in 1998: “This brings a closeness that means we benefit from Slimming World’s 44 years’ experience of helping people to lose weight and keep it off. As a result, I believe we have a deeper understanding of the psychology of slimmers and the highs and lows of their weight loss journey. The magazine is an extension of the compassionate yet practical support that Slimming World offers within its groups and via its online programme.
“We work hard to ensure that we have the right mix and tone to reflect our broad readership and their wants and needs. We select real-life members for our success stories very carefully, making sure that they’re inspirational and at the same time someone who readers can identify with. It’s our ultimate aim to create a positive, helpful magazine for slimmers; a magazine that acts as a motivational support tool, whether that’s for members between their weekly group meetings, slimmers who’ve reached their target weight and are maintaining their weight loss, or those simply trying to follow a healthier lifestyle.”
DC Thomson
DC Thomson publication, The People’s Friend, has announced an increase in sales this year.
The title has bucked the trend of declining sales and recorded a period-on-period sales growth of 1% from January to June 2013.
Throughout the past 12 months The People’s Friend has undergone a significant redesign, which includes increased pagination and the introduction of new editorial themes. As a result, sales figures have grown from 240,449 copies (July to December 2012) to 243,133 copies (January to June 2013).
The People’s Friend Editor Angela Gilchrist said, “This is a fantastic result, and one that rewards all the hard work put in by everyone associated with this wonderful magazine. For over a year, we’ve been working towards this goal with a long-term plan involving increased pagination, enhanced content and design, superb subscription offers and a carefully focused campaign to raise awareness of the title through TV sponsorship and retail promotions.”
She added, “I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, which is even more remarkable given the difficult challenges currently being faced by the traditional women’s weekly magazine market.”
Magazine sales for The People’s Friend have also received the support of a cross-platform marketing campaign. This includes a one year sponsorship deal with Storytelling on ITV3 Afternoons, a subscriptions marketing campaign and enhanced in-store point-of-sale marketing promotions with leading magazine retailers and supermarkets.
Head of Circulation (Consumer Entertainment) Ian Sansam said, “This is a very encouraging posting for The People’s Friend – especially with the challenge of declining sales in the women’s weekly market place. The sponsorship and in-store point of sale has worked well, helping to grow awareness of the brand and to stabilise sales. Furthermore, the subscriptions marketing campaign has resulted in a 25% year-on-year growth in subscriptions.”
DC Thomson is continuing to invest in The People’s Friend, including the development of its sister titles The People’s Friend Special and The People’s Friend Pocket Novels.
Head of Advertising (Consumer Entertainment) Andrew Williams added, “The research, development and marketing commitment made to The People’s Friend has clearly paid off. The People’s Friend is in a strong position and is an attractive proposition to advertisers.”
