Strong first quarter for Associated Magazines

"We are very happy with the performance of all our titles in a competitive women's magazine market," says Julia Raphaely, business director of Associated Magazines.

"Cosmopolitan secured its best first-quarter results ever, increasing its circulation to 124 294. We believe this increase is due to the magazine's innovative editorial approach and marketing initiatives aimed at bringing the brand alive for its readers, such as the Cosmo Sexiest SA Men Calendar and event in January and the newly launched March sealed-sex issue.

"O, The Oprah Magazine continued its upward trend towards the 80 000 mark and now stands at a circulation of 74 499. This magazine is finding a very strong support base in the affluent emerging market and we are confident that it will increase its popularity. In the face of an onslaught of new magazine launches directly aimed at O Magazine's market, the title has increased its sales. We have done this without adding any gimmicks but by focusing on the core of what this brand has to offer and that is the Oprah-philosophy to life; one that encourages people to empower themselves and take responsibility for their own happiness.

"We believe that magazines that will succeed in an increasingly competitive market will be the ones that successfully deliver relevant content in a consistent and engaging way," concludes Raphaely.

Associated Magazines titles' performance for the first three months of the year:

• O, The Oprah Magazine increased its circulation to 74 499
• Cosmopolitan set a new record at 124 294
• Marie Claire, which won a Mondi Magazine Award in the Beauty category for the third consecutive year (which is a record), now stands at 43 806
• home décor and lifestyle title House and Leisure increased its circulation to 44 272
• Femina magazine, the title for the 30-something woman, increased to 49 748.