BBC Worldwide Sells Eve Magazine To Haymarket
BBC Worldwide has announced the sale of eve magazine to Haymarket, a move which marks the first move by the UK’s largest privately owned publishing group into the women’s magazine sector.
The decision to sell eve was made as a result of the commercial review undertaken by the BBC last year and will result in Haymarket taking publishing responsibility for the magazine, starting with the April issue.
Eve has been hugely successful since its launch in 2001, adding 14.4% to its circulation year on year in the six months to June 2004. Haymarket intends to continue to invest in the title and will treat it as the foundation for a new women’s interest group of magazines within its portfolio.
Commenting on the sale, Peter Phippen, managing director of BBC Magazines said: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with eve, and the team we have created is first class. Once the decision had been taken to sell, it was important for the future of the magazine and the staff that we completed a sale as quickly as possible. It was equally important to find a publisher who shares our belief in the aims of the magazine and who was keen to keep the team together.”
He added: “I am delighted that we have secured an exciting future for eve with Haymarket and believe we have found a new home for the magazine where the team will flourish and continue the phenomenal success that we have achieved since its launch.”
Haymarket Group managing director, Eric Verdon-Roe, expressed delight at the acquisition, stating: “This is a significant move for Haymarket and we are very excited to have the opportunity to acquire such a successful title with the entire publishing staff on board. We aim for eve to be the flagship of a new women’s interest group and fully intend to invest in its continued growth to ensure that it remains the very best magazine for the definitive woman.”
All staff currently employed by eve will transfer to Haymarket with the title, led by publishing director Jo Morrell, who said: “We have a great team on eve and I am delighted we have the chance to all stay together. Despite eve‘s success so far, the job is only half done. Haymarket intends to invest in the magazine to ensure that we have the tools to go all the way. Haymarket want to create a new women’s division and the success of eve will only be the beginning of a new publishing force in the women’s market. I am thrilled that we will all be a part of making a reality of that vision.”
Eve’s strong performance followed an increased focus by BBC Magazines on subscription marketing. November saw the company celebrate a milestone of half a million subscribers to its range of publications, marking a record-breaking response to its increased focus and investment in subscription sales (see BBC Magazines Celebrates Half A Million Subscriptions).
Elsewhere the BBC has confirmed that more magazines will be put up for sale following its commercial review, with titles acquired from Origin Publishing most likely to face the axe due to their content not being closely aligned with existing BBC output (see Origin Titles Next On List For BBC Magazine Sale).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk Haymarket Publishing: 020 8267 5000 www.haymarketgroup.com
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