More changes at RamsayMedia, Media24 Mags

12 Apr 2011

In the magazine world, RamsayMedia has restructured three of its leading brands to form an automotive and technology cluster, Media24's weekly magazines division has appointed Reinard du Plessis as the division's new publisher from 1 May 2011 and Vital Health Foods has relaunched its ~~monthly~~ quarterly magazine with a new look and a new name, Vitalise.

Reinard du Plessis

Du Plessis will manage titles such as Landbouweekblad, FarmingSA, SA Hunter/Jagter, Rapport Tydskrif and TV24. He brings years of marketing and management experience to these brands, having been the GM of My Week before being appointed as national sales and marketing manager for Media24 Newspapers two years ago.

The division has also announced that Rudi Hofmeister's designation will change to that of head of social commerce. "He is an experienced strategic thinker and has the proven ability to convert social trends and analysis into relevant business plans and projects. By broadening his role to embrace the execution of social commerce solutions, he will ensure that our brands stay at the forefront of emerging media trends," says Willem Breytenbach, GM of the division.

Popular Mechanics grows circulation

The new Auto & Tech team at RamsayMedia will be headed up by Neil Piper, as publisher of Popular Mechanics. Already head of the company's automotive division, Piper's expanded portfolio is designed to unlock the synergies between the brands and maximise the individual strengths and expertise of the collective Auto & Tech team.

Neil Piper

"The brands have a similar client base and from a content perspective, there's an obvious cross-over, so it's a win-win arrangement for readers and advertisers alike," Piper explained

The restructuring follows a period of sustained circulation and audience growth for Popular Mechanics, which broke the 50 000 ABC mark in January 2010. Consequently, Alan Duggan, who has held the dual roles of publisher and editor for the past five years, decided to relinquish his publishing responsibilities and focus exclusively on the increased need for quality content to satisfy the title's growing fan base.

"The formation of this new hub is an important development for the company, the brands and our clients and is in line with our strategy to adapt and innovate to deliver the best possible service and products to market," said RamsayMedia MD Stuart Lowe.

Piper was national sales manager and subsequently publisher of Popular Mechanics when it launched in South Africa in 2002, before moving to the company's flagship brand, Car, four years later. Leisure Wheels was added to his portfolio when it joined the stable.