Digital Media Specialist Heads To IPC From Future
IPC Southbank has poached Julie Stuckes from Future Publishing, appointing her to the position of digital development director.
Previously head of new media operations at Future Publishing, Stuckes has a wealth of experience in digital media, including a period at the University of Bath where she managed multiple development teams within the research community.
“Julie will be a fantastic addition to Southbank’s management team,” said IPC Southbank’s managing director, Jackie Newcombe. “She is steeped in digital media and is very experienced in building teams to develop new projects. Most importantly, she understands how to tap into the strengths that we have within our print brands and translate them into digital opportunities.”
Stuckes added: “I’m thrilled to be joining IPC Southbank as digital development director. It has fantastic brands in the women’s fashion and lifestyle and home sectors and I can’t wait to help build their success in the digital space.”
IPC, which rebranded in February (see IPC Media Gets New Corporate Identity), is to unveil two major online developments within the next two months – a website for In Style, its upmarket fashion brand (see IPC Launches New Website In Style), and a new homes portal.
The consumer magazine market has seen drastic changes in the past few years, with many titles in the various sectors suffering circulation declines and the market as a whole looking somewhat volatile.
Some of IPC Southbank’s key titles, such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, In Style and Marie Claire, have recorded circulation declines in the past few years.
At the latest consumer magazine ABC release, Marie Claire saw a 10% year on year drop in circulation, almost 37,000 issues in real terms (despite a 1.1% period on period boost) to leave its total at 334,729 for July to December 2006. In the same period in 2004, the title reported an ABC of around 384,500.
The title recently launched Marie Claire Mobile (see Marie Claire To Go Mobile), as well as unveiling a redesign from its November 2006 issue to give the publication a more “grown-up” feel (see Marie Claire To Unveil New Look).
In Style felt a year on year and period on period fall of more than 7.5%. The title shed almost 15,000 copies year on year from its circulation, which now rests at around 182,000, down from more than 190,000 for July to December 2004.
Homes and Gardens saw its circulation rise year on year by 1.6%, leaving its total at 138,323. This was however down from just under 150,000 copies for July to December 2004.
Ideal Home saw an almost 6% year on year downturn to leave its total at less than 232,000. The title reported an ABC of almost 260,500 for July to December 2004.
Many titles are seeking to bolster their digital teams and digital output, such as a strong focus on their websites, in order to stay afloat in the ever-mutable media landscape.
IPC Media: 0870 4445000 www.ipcmedia.com