View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
July 20, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 8:18pm

Emap seeks solace in weeklies

By Press Gazette

Emap's men's and motor titles are taking their share of the blame as the company forecast that revenue is likely to be down in the first half of this year.

In a trading update at the company's AGM, outgoing chairman Adam Broadbent said the magazines division would retain its competitive position.

He added: "There has been good growth in circulation from most weekly titles, but we are seeing an increase in the rate of decline in other titles, particularly men's and automotive."

The Emap consumer division includes market-leading monthly FHM and Arena, which launches its website and blog next week in what is claimed to be a consumer magazine first.

Editor William Drew said that the trading forecast reflected the pressure on all titles in the market.

He added that the blog, which will attempt to increase reader interaction and brand awareness, was "not addressing a problem, but utilising an opportunity".

Drew said: "There is pressure on all magazines in the current climate, but those with significant points of difference, those that can emphasise their individuality and have a strong character, are more likely to thrive, and obviously I think Arena is one of those."

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

On the forthcoming ABCs, Drew declined to speculate on figures, but said: "I'm confident that we will outperform the [men's] market as a whole."

In the last ABCs, Arena's circulation was up 11.2 per cent to 49,296, though it remained the lowest selling title in the men's lifestyle sector.

FHM sold 500,865 copies per issue, down 13.6 per cent in the same period.

Emap automotive titles such as Motor Cycle News, Car, Bike, Maxpower and Fleet News had mixed performances in the last ABCs, with some big falls.

Maxpower dropped 37.9 per cent year on year to 118,660, and Car fell to 94,033, down 8.9 per cent.

Broadbent, who has been replaced by deputy chairman Alun Cathcart, warned that conditions were likely to remain difficult, because of a "period of change and volatility" caused partly by technological change.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network