New Editor For Now

Abigail Blackburn has been appointed editor of IPC Connect’s celebrity weekly title Now.

Currently deputy editor of sister-title Woman, Blackburn will lead the 42-strong Now editorial team.

Blackburn joined IPC Connect in November 2005 as part of the development team for the 2006 re-launch of Woman.

Prior to joining IPC, Abigail worked in a variety of senior roles across brands including the Daily Mail’s Femail and Reveal (in the UK) and TV Week, Vogue Living and New Woman (in Australia).

Evelyn Webster, the managing director of women’s division IPC Connect, said: “Now is a huge brand, competing in a highly competitive sector.

“Having seen first hand Abigail’s enthusiasm, creativity and focus over the last two years, I know she’s the perfect candidate to lead the magazine’s award-winning editorial team onto the next stage of Now‘s evolution.”

Blackburn added: “I am thrilled to be taking the helm at Now, the original celebrity news weekly.

“The woman’s weekly market is my true passion, so the chance to edit such a fantastic brand and lead one of the most talented and experienced teams in this sector, is an absolute honour. I can’t wait to get started.”

The latest ABCs saw Now report a circulation of more than 470,000 copies, down by almost 70,000 year on year (see ABC Results Jul-Dec 2007: Women’s Weeklies See Sizeable Declines With Few Bucking The Trend).

The title’s website, www.nowmagazine.co.uk, had over half a million unique users in January.

The appointment comes shortly after Heat editor-in-chief Mark Frith announced he is leaving the Bauer magazine (see Frith To Step Down As Heat Editor).

IPC Media: 0870 4445000 www.ipcmedia.com