Esquire Editor Jumps Ship After Six Years

Peter Howarth is stepping down as editor of Natmags’ men’s lifestyle magazine Esquire after six years.

Howarth, who has guided Esquire through a difficult period for men’s magazines, will continue as editor for the next three months, but will step down in December to pursue other opportunities.

Commenting on his departure, Natmags’ managing director, Duncan Edwards, said: “Peter Howarth is the architect of the modern Esquire and has successfully given the magazine its distinctive grown-up positioning in the rather juvenile men’s market. We are very sorry to see him go, but are pleased that he will be with us for another three months.”

Howarth added: “Its been a fantastic job and I’m leaving the magazine in great shape. I know Esquire will continue to evolve as a grown up magazine with style and substance.

ABC results for the first six-months of 2002, show that Esquire, which is part of Natmag’s luxury publishing group Harpers & Queen, saw circulation remain stable year on year at 62,005. However, analysis of ABC data for the last ten years shows that Esquire, like the majority of men’s lifestyle magazines, has seen circulation decline since the late nineties, when the market was at its peak (see below).

Figures from Nieslen Media Research show that Esquire has seen an 11.3% year on year decline in the number of ads it hosted during the first half of 2002, dropping to 321 from 362 in the same period the previous year (see ABC Follow Up Report: Adverts In Men’s Lifestyle Magazines).

National Magazine Company: 0207 439 5000 www.natmags.co.uk

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