Emap’s Neon Closes After Poor Sales

Emap Metro’s film title Neon is to close after failing to meet circulation targets. According to a spokesperson at the publisher, when the title launched in November 1996, aimed at the ‘neglected generation’ of film goers aged 16-24, there was a gap in the market for it. That gap, however, did not prove big enough to fulfill the title’s sales targets.

The February issue of the title will be its last, after the magazine failed to reach its target sales of around 50,000. The latest ABC figures for January to June 1998 saw the title’s circulation drop 1.12% year on year to 40,147. Empire, also published by Emap Metro, is clearly the market leader in this magazine sector, tallying 166,123 sales at its last count.

January-June 1998 ABC YoY Comparisons

The publisher told Newsline afternoon: “We have tried to place staff from the title within the group, but unfortunately there will be a few redundancies.”

The closure of Neon is the latest of several in the consumer magazine market. Wagadon’s Deluxe closed at the end of last year following poor sales (see Newsline), and Dennis Publishing’s Stuff folded at the beginning of the year for the same reason (see Newsline), although it has since been bought by Haymarket Publications which will continue its production (see Newsline).

Emap Metro: 0171 436 1515