Maggs' new mag for magazines

The challenges faced within the industry, new titles, comment from MPASA, ABC figures, and movements within the industry, will be found between the covers. These ever-increasing challenges include issues of control, diminishing traditional above-the-line advertising spend, distribution and huge competition and are forcing the print industry to find more creative ways of retaining its position as a medium of choice for advertisers and readers alike.

Mags debuts mid-October 2007 and the pagination will initially be 16-pages strong. This is expected to grow as the title becomes more established.

Managing editor of the Journal of Marketing Bronwen James, says: “While initially we will distribute Mags with the Journal of Marketing, we believe in time it could stand alone. With so many issues relevant to this market to debate, we believe that this launch will be well received by an industry hungry for sound reporting.”

The launch issue's lead article is being prepared around the latest ABC figures and extensive analysis of these results is expected. The challenges of magazine distribution will also be in the spotlight.

Other new title

Future Publishing also recently published a DL directory on speakers and entertainers, Speakers & Entertainers.

With an initial print run of 25 000, the directory is currently being distributed at no cost to key segments of the business community at large. It aims to profile a segment of the entertainment and training industry through a pragmatic and targeted approach.

Additionally, www.speakersandentertainers.co.za has been registered and goes live shortly. According to James, the new site will facilitate online queries and manage listing requests. In addition, a speaker rating tool has been included to make the site fully interactive. “We expect this to be most popular with visitors to the site who have the option to consider and weigh up the public rankings,” says James.

Future Publishing intends to make this an annual publication.