Future To Produce Windows Magazine

Future Publishing, whose portfolio’s emphasis on consumer IT made it vulnerable to the dotcom slump, among other factors, last year (see Future Network “Pushed Off Course In Bruising Year”), is nevertheless set to make another foray into the home computing market, having gained the exclusive UK licence for the Official Microsoft Windows magazine.

The title will run to two issues, brought out to coincide with the launch of Windows XP in autumn this year. The first 132 page magazine will go on sale one week before the software, on 18 October, while the second will follow in December in anticipation of a Christmas rush. As well as national distribution, the title will be promoted to Microsoft’s half million email newsletter subscribers.

The deal continues the relationship Future has developed with Microsoft, having previously produced official one shots including Microsoft Windows ME and Microsoft Office XP.

Dave Taylor is quick to point out the success of these previous ventures: “Our first official Windows magazine recorded an ABC of over 70,000, a great achievement for a one-off title. We have a similar ambition level for our Windows XP title.”

Future also holds the contract to produce official Playstation magazines for Sony, but found this to be something of a poisoned chalice last year when the restricted number of units brought into the UK for the games console launch meant that the accompanying magazine initially achieved less impact than its predecessor (see graph.

Future Publishing: 01225 442 244 www.futurenet.com

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