Russell Set To Boost IPC Women’s Weekly Portfolio

Alex Russell has moved from agency MPG to join IPC Southbank as its new group advertising director, responsible for the group’s women’s glossies including Marie Claire, Homes and Gardens, InStyle and Woman and Home.

Currently head of press at MPG, Russell previously ran the LVMH portfolio as well as key brands in the motors, finance, entertainment and pharmaceutical markets.

“This is a key appointment for us and Alex is the ideal candidate for the role; she has a wealth of experience in the luxury goods market and is evangelical about brands,” said IPC SouthBank’s managing director, Jackie Newcombe.

“She is an expert in press but also brings a much broader perspective to media in general, which is vitally important in today’s competitive marketplace. I am thrilled that she will be joining our management team.”

Russell added: “This is a tremendous opportunity for me; I know the SouthBank team very well and have been impressed both by what they are doing with the business and their strategy for the future. SouthBank publishes some of the best brands in the market and it has fantastically talented people. My role will be to harness all those strengths and make clients and agencies aware of the brilliant opportunities that exist for them within this great publishing portfolio.”

The new appointment should help IPC boost its women’s titles. In October, the company’s flagship women’s glossy, Marie Claire, was revamped in a bid to halt declining sales (see Marie Claire To Unveil New Look).

The title lost more than 50,000 from its last ABC figure, down by more than 13%, whilst Woman and Home and InStyle magazine also dipped slightly (see ABC Results Jan-Jun 2006:Women’s Monthlies Market Still Volatile).

IPC Media recently revealed its biggest magazine launch ever, Look, in a joint venture with Groupe Marie Claire. The venture is set to make its way into the women’s weekly market with the backing of an £18 million investment over the next two years in a further attempt boost the company’s women’s weekly portfolio (see IPC Media Looks To New Women’s Weekly).

IPC Media: 0870 4445000 www.ipcmedia.com