Emap Announces New Editor Of Kerrang!

Emap Performance has appointed Paul Brannigan as the new editor of Kerrang! magazine, taking up the position from 25 April and making only the seventh editor in the veteran music magazines 24-year history.

Paul started with Kerrang! in 1995, having moved up from news editor and features editor before becoming Kerrangs! deputy editor in 2003. He will be replacing Ashley Bird who is pursuing a new career as a DJ and writer.

Commenting on Brannigan’s promotion, Stuart Williams, publishing director of Kerrang! said: “An extensive search unearthed a number of strong candidates from a variety of backgrounds but it soon became clear that Paul is the man for the job. This promotion recognises Paul’s contribution to the magazine over the past decade and endorses his vision for the future.”

Williams continued: “As we emerge from the indie-dominated past two-years, 2005 is shaping up to be a huge year for rock music fans, with many of Kerrang!’s biggest bands returning with great albums and a whole raft of new exciting ands coming.”

Brannigan added: “I started reading Kerrang! as a fifteen year old and it changed my life. Almost 20 years on, I’m deeply honoured to be appointed editor of the world’s best music magazine and hugely excited about facing the challenges ahead with the most passionate, knowledgeable and hard rocking team in the industry.”

The latest ABC figures showed Kerrang! to have slipped by 10.7%, giving the Emap-owned title a 61,844 circulation for the same period (see ABC Results Jul-Dec 2004: Metal Hammer Rises On Rock Resurgence).

However, a recent upbeat trading statement from Emap, showed a strong performance in its UK consumer magazine division, with consumer magazine copy sales revenues growing by 5% on an underlying basis (see Emap Sees Rising Revenue From Magazines).

The group revealed that its consumer magazine advertising division has enjoyed a 4% year on year rise for the year ending 31 March 2005, with celebrity-focused Closer showing exceptional growth.

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk

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