Hachette To Psych Out Competition With New Launch

Consumer magazine publisher, Hachette Filipacchi, has announced the launch of Psychologies magazine, extending the title’s reach to the UK after successes in France, Italy and Spain.

Psychologies is the first magazine to be launched by Hachette Filipacchi UK since the company was established in 2002. The new edition will be entirely an British version, editorially produced and published by a team in the UK, with the launch expected in September 2005.

According to Hachette, Psychologies will define a new sector within the mainstream women’s glossy market to reflect a new kind of female reader, aimed at an audience of women aged 35-55 whose needs are not currently being met by any other women’s magazine.

Commenting on the new magazine, Julie Harris, general manager of Hachette Filipacchi UK said: “Psychogies is a genuinely different type of women’s magazine which we strongly believe will create a brand new category.”

Harris continued: “Not only is Psychologies already very successful in three major European territories but our extensive research over the last 18 months has shown that there is a very strong consumer desire for this magazine in the UK. Hachette Filipacchi prides itself on publishing generation defining titles. The new pioneering launch is the perfect addition to our very strong existing portfolio.”

Psychologies was originally launched in France in 1970, and currently has a larger readership than Cosmopolitan. Worldwide, the title is second only to Marie Claire in the mainstream women’s glossy market.

Elsewhere in the magazine industry, consumer magazine group, Future Publishing, has acquired 38 magazine titles from rival publisher Highbury House Communications, for a cash consideration of £30.5 million (see Future Acquires 38 Magazines From Highbury House).

Earlier in the month, Future dropped its proposed bid for Highbury House following a announcement by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that the deal would be referred to the Competition Commission before being allowed to go ahead (see Future Drops Highbury Merger After OFT Referral).

Hachette Filipacchi: www.hf-uk.co.uk