Dennis Publishing Denies Sale Of Maxim In The UK
Dennis Publishing UK has said that it will continue to publish Maxim magazine in the UK under licence, despite reports that the Maxim global trademark is planning a strategic review that could lead to the publication’s sale.
James Tye, chief executive of Dennis Publishing Ltd. UK, said: “Dennis Publishing Ltd. UK and Dennis Publishing Inc. US are entirely separate companies.
“The announcement of the US company’s strategic review will have no impact on the UK company, the UK edition of Maxim or any other brand within the portfolio.”
Last week it was reported that Dennis Publishing chairman, Felix Dennis, was seeking to sell all 31 editions of Maxim, his top-selling monthly lads mag.
Dennis has appointed New York media investment specialist Allen & Company to review the options for Maxim, which is currently published in 45 countries.
The media empire, of which Maxim is the most visible brand, also includes a range of computer and general interest magazines, websites, mobile content delivery, branded network and cable TV programmes and a satellite radio channel.
It is not known if any of these other assets will also be up for grabs.
Maxim in the UK recorded a total ABC of around 131,500, which was down almost 30% year on year for the period July to December 2006. The magazine lost almost 55,000 copies in real terms, which added to a continued trend of decline for the publication over the past few years.
The company had more success with Monkey, the new digital format lads mag, which reported for the first time, giving an ABCe of 209,612, twice the publication’s original target of 100,000.
Since its launch on 1 November 2006 (see Dennis Launches New Online Lads Mag), the format has proved successful, with other companies also planning their own versions in a variety of sectors.
NatMags looks set to target the teen sector (see New Online Mag To Launch In March), whilst IPC has just unveiled they will put a strong emphasis on digital growth this year, with major launches planned, possibly in the home sector (see IPC Media Gets New Corporate Identity).
The birth of digital only mags and their predicted increase in popularity will no doubt be one of the key topics at MediaTel Group’s forthcoming ‘Future of Consumer Magazines’ seminar (see Tickets Selling Fast For Consumer Magazine Seminar).
Tickets are selling fast for the event, which is set for Wednesday 28 February, with BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas chairing a stellar panel including: Marc Mendoza, Media Planning Group managing partner; David Hepworth, editorial director of Development Hell; Paul Keenan, chief executive of Emap Consumer Media; Stevie Spring, chief executive of Future plc, and media journalist, Ray Snoddy.
For more information and to book, click here.
Dennis Publishing: 020 7907 6000 www.dennis.co.uk MediaTel Group: 020 7439 7575 www.mediatelgroup.co.uk