SHOP! closed

Media24 Women’s Magazine Division has announced the closure of SHOP! magazine.

SHOP!, an alternate monthly magazine published by Media24 Women’s Magazine Division, focused on delivering a buyer’s guide for the South African consumer, was first published in the current format in August 2005. The November / December issue of SHOP! (currently on street) will be the final issue.

Marí Lategan, publisher of SHOP!, says: “Although circulation and advertising responses were encouraging, we do, however, now believe that the market will not support the business expectations that we have for the title within the agreed timeframes.”

Permanent staff are being re-located to other areas of the business where possible.

Femina magazine sold to Media24

Associated Magazines has announced the sale of the South African title, Femina, to Media24. CEO of Media24 Magazines, Patricia Scholtemeyer, said that Femina will slot in with the Women’s Magazine Division under the leadership of publisher Mari Lategan. “Femina complements our portfolio and we welcome the magazine and the staff into our stable. We believe that Associated Magazines made the right decision to sell Femina to us; the move ensures the longevity of a strong brand that they have built up over the years,” said Scholtemeyer.

Management Today heading for SA

TopCo Media has bought the licence to publish UK based Haymarket’s business title Management Today in South Africa. In the UK, Management Today enjoys a readership of over a 100 000 copies monthly. In South Africa, the publication will fulfil the growing trend for information about leading South African and international organisations, as well as the individuals behind these organisations. Management Today will be published from April 2007 in South Africa and will include international and relevant UK business news from the UK edition. Around 60% of the magazine will be South African and African based. The initial print run will be 30 000.

M&G: SABC pays magazine R123 000 for cover story

The M&G Online reports that The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) paid a business magazine about R123 000 for a cover story featuring its chief executive, Dali Mpofu, in the June issue. Find out who it was - click on the headline!

Psychologies heading for SA

Media24 Women’s Magazines has announced the launch of the South African edition of Psychologies. To be published bi-monthly, the first issue arrives on shelf in April 2007 and will be edited by Tracy Melass.

Psychologies’ editorial approach is geared at the female reader and focuses on self-accomplishment, better living and relationships. The magazine thus meets the desire of more and more women to improve their personal lives.

Since Psychologies was launched in France during 1997, it has become the title with the highest growth during the past ten years, increasing its circulation by 330% at 350 000 copies. Since then Psychologies has launched in Italy, Spain, Great Britain, China, Russia, Belgium and now South Africa.

Psychologies will launch in South Africa with a print order of 37 200 copies and will be available at leading retailers and magazine distributors from the 4th of April 2007.

Krew folds

The plug has been pulled on four issue old lads mag Krew. Publisher Tim Culley announced this to suppliers and partners on Nov 1.

"It is with a vast amount of sadness I must inform you that the World Report Media indicated last week that they no longer wish to sustain Krew Magazine until its forecast break-even next year," wrote Culley. "This has come as a huge and shocking blow to all 20 staff, including myself, who have worked so passionately and tirelessly on what many South Africans regard as a quite brilliant product. Over the last week I have desperately attempted to seal a buy-out deal with Caxton here in SA, but sadly the urgency of the situation made the deal unattainable and they formally declined the offer today. The way World Report Media conducted this process was sudden, without warning, and heartless, and we are all left stunned and without employment or due salaries by their actions."

Rival magazine Zoo was launched by UCM in October.

End of road for style magazine

Caxton Magazines Management today announced that style magazine will be closed in the New Year – the December issue will be its last. The editor of style, Naomi Larkin (previously editor of Tatler in Singapore) is to stay on, partially to assist with the launch of CLEO, and partially to co-ordinate the launch of a number of other titles which are destined to come to market shortly. Caxton anticipate no retrenchments of staff.