Natmags Forms New Joint Venture Company With Rodale
The National Magazine Company has formed a joint venture with American publishing giant Rodale International, in a move that could see the launch of a range of new health and fitness titles.
The partnership will see Rodale’s magazine interests in the UK, which include Men’s Health and Runner’s World, run under the new company banner of NatMag Rodale Limited.
The joint venture will be run under a joint board of directors made up of three representatives of each partner with The National Magazine Company being granted responsibility by the board for managing the operation.
The two magazines will not see any direct changes to their editorial or advertising staff or content, but the two companies will seek to use the venture to launch new titles and expand their portfolios.
Commenting on the partnership, Steve Murphy, president and CEO of Rodale Inc, said: “Our magazine strategy outside the US is to build our venerable brands through partnerships with the very best publishing partners in each territory – as we have done here.”
He added: “This joint venture effectively combines our 62-year history as an editorial leader in the healthy, active living categories and the expertise of The National Magazine Company in the U.K. to forge one, powerhouse team.”
Duncan Edwards, managing director of Natmags, added: “Men’s Health and Runner’s World and the NatMag portfolio complement each other perfectly, particularly in the men’s sector where we already publish one of the leading upscale reads for men, Esquire.
Setting out the new company’s strategy, Edwards added: “We will maximise cross-promotion opportunities including marketing, subscriptions and advertising sales. Our companies have identified long-term growth in the UK health and fitness market, and between our in-depth market knowledge and Rodale’s 60 year history in the category, we will be perfectly positioned to respond to growing consumer demand in this area.”
Earlier this year Natmags announced plans to close its contract publishing division after just two years, due to what is claimed were insufficient margins. The business is due to cease in around a week’s time, once current commitments have been met. It is understood that the company has tried to redeploy all staff in other jobs inside the organisation (see Natmags Closes Contract Publishing Arm After Two Years).
National Magazine Company: 0207 439 5000 www.natmags.co.uk
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