Currently owned by Hubert Burda Media UK Ltd, the acquisition of Health & Fitness extends Dennis Publishing’s fitness presence in the UK, which already includes Men’s Fitness magazine and website, events and numerous MagBook publications. Dennis Publishing also announced in September last year that it had acquired the Men’s Fitness brand in the UK and Ireland and had entered into a co-operative licensing agreement with American Media, to license the Men’s Fitness brand worldwide.
Health and Fitness is a magazine aimed at women who enjoy sports, fitness, nutrition and healthy living. Covering everything from eating well, to workout guides and gym style, the magazine mixes inspirational fitness advice with aspirational sports personality interviews.
Health & Fitness has an ABC audited circulation of 35,436 copies from January to July 2009, an increase of over 15% on the last period.
The editorial and advertising teams of Health and Fitness will join as Dennis Publishing employees and will move to the company’s headquarters in Cleveland Street, London W1. Pete Muir will expand his role as Editorial Director to include both Health & Fitness and Men’s Fitness magazines.
James Tye (pictured), CEO at Dennis Publishing, said: "The acquisition of Health & Fitness underlines our commitment to grow our publishing presence in the UK fitness market. This is in line with our intent to continue to grow Dennis Publishing as a whole and this is now the fourth acquisition we have made in the last 12 months. As a brand, Health & Fitness has tremendous potential, in print, online and overseas, and I look forward to welcoming the entire team to Dennis."
Luke Patten, Managing Director of Hubert Burda Media, UK said: "It has been a pleasure to publish Health & Fitness and the title has made big circulation gains under our ownership. We will be concentrating on growing our core business of women's weeklies and home interest titles and wish Dennis continued success with the magazine."
