ACP Magazines Continues To Win Readers And Sales

For release midday August 15 2008

ACP Magazines Continues To Win Readers And Sales

The Australian Women’s Weekly now the country’s most read women’s monthly title
Next’s revamp wins circulation increase
Taste becomes New Zealand’s fastest growing magazine
North & South continues to be the most read Current Affairs & Business title
Fashion Quarterly gains 14.2% more fashion followers

The latest New Zealand ABC audit results show that magazines remain popular even in a softening economy. ACP Magazines’ current consumer titles sold more copies per average issue in the first half of this year than in six months to last December, an increase of +1.4%.

The Nielsen National Readership Survey conducted July 07 to June 08 has similar good news.

More New Zealanders are now reading ACP Magazines’ current consumer titles compared to the previous period (March ’08 release). ACP titles now reach 1.8 million people.

With its combination of mass and niche titles ACP Magazines continues to reach New Zealand audiences and give them what they want: entertainment, inspiration, a moment to themselves and just as importantly, a luxury they can still afford.

One in four of all newsstand magazines read by kiwis are published by ACP Magazines. The latest survey results confirm ACP’s place as New Zealand’s leading magazine publisher across a broad spectrum of categories, from special interest to women’s weeklies.

“We are delighted with the performance of our titles in the latest readership survey,” said ACP Magazines Group Publisher Debra Millar. “Our mass women’s titles continue to assert their market dominance as does specialist fashion magazine Fashion Quarterly.

“With other titles such as Taste continuing to inspire in the kitchen and North & South keeping New Zealanders up to date on current affairs, we believe our readers are loving what we offer and this is reflected in strong readership gains."

ACP Magazines new circulation and readership highlights:

• The Australian Women’s Weekly NZ edition is the most read monthly women’s magazine in New Zealand with 627,000 readers and an audited circulation of 78,298

• Taste recorded impressive readership growth of 46.9% compared to the same time last year and is now reaching 166,000 readers. With a jump of 7.6% in circulation compared to the same period last year Taste now has its highest circulation and readership ever.

• Fashion Quarterly continues its dominance of its category with over 200,000 people reading an average issue. Circulation has increased by an amazing 14.2% copies per issue compared to the same period last year.

• Next, with its newly revamped look, has increased its readership by 3.9% and has achieved a 1.5% increase in circulation compared to last year.

• North & South also increased readership by 5.2% to 297,000 readers and is the most read Current Affairs and Business title in New Zealand.

ENDS

Sources: READERSHIP Nielsen National Readership Survey July 2007 - June 2008

Period on Period comparisons are made with the previous Nielsen National Readership Survey release for April 2007–March 2008. Year on Year comparisons are made with the Nielsen National Readership Survey July 2006 – June 2007.

CIRCULATION: NZ Audited Bureau of Circulation; total Net Circulation; January – June 2008

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For release midday Friday August 15 2008

BREAKING NEWS: NORTH & SOUTH NZ’S TOP CURRENT AFFAIRS TITLE

Close to 300,000 New Zealanders are keeping in touch with New Zealand by reading North & South, ACP Magazines’ national current affairs monthly. In another successful audit, North & South has retained its crown as NZ’s most read title in its category with 297,000 readers every month.

The latest Nielsen National Readership Survey results also show North & South gained the biggest growth in the Current Affairs & Business category by adding 35,000 readers every issue, compared to the same period last year.

North & South also continued its growth in circulation, up 5.2% to 33,295 copies per month, showing that New Zealanders still demand insightful reporting and great writing.

“Editor-in-Chief Sally Duggan and her team have delivered fantastic circulation and readership growth. North & South holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of New Zealanders, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see readers respond to our ongoing investment in the best current affairs journalism.

“North & South’s circulation and readership increase bodes well for the future of quality journalism,” said ACP Magazines Group Publisher Debra Millar.

“A year ago we embarked on some changes to North & South. With a fresh new look and some revamped editorial offerings the magazine has gone from strength to strength as a result."

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For release midday Friday August 15 2008

NEXT IN STEP WITH THE NEEDS OF NZ WOMEN

Savvy New Zealand women are clearly enjoying ACP Magazine’s reinvigorated Next, which has achieved both circulation and readership gains in the latest surveys.

A refreshed look, along with new editorial content and columnists, is resonating with the target audience of 35 – 50 year old women. Next has recorded a 6.0% increase in circulation compared to the last period and a 1.5% increase compared to the same period last year. Next’s circulation is now an impressive 58,920 copies per month.

Along with a circulation gain, Next also showed a 3.9% increase in readers compared to the same period last year, or an additional 14,000 readers each issue. Next’s readership is now 370,000.

ACP Magazines’ Group Publisher Debra Millar says “Editor Brenda Ward has reinvigorated Next with new columnists, a fresh editorial offering and ground-breaking initiatives such as our “Next Report”, which surveyed thousands of New Zealand women about the state and status of their lives."

“We have invested significantly in the editorial development of Next magazine over the past 12 months and it is gratifying to see both the circulation and readership increasing in response to this."

“Next is clearly striking a chord with New Zealand women by talking to them about issues and interests relevant to their lives."

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For release midday Friday August 15 2008

FASHION QUARTERLY: MEASURING UP IN STYLE!

The challenges in the economy have not held back NZ women’s interest in fashion and style with new circulation and readership results showing Fashion Quarterly still very much on the “must have” list, whatever the fashion season.

Read by 203,000 fashion, style and beauty lovers every issue, Fashion Quarterly is the only fashion title to submit for measurement in the Nielsen National Readership Survey.

ABC results show that compared to the same period last year, Fashion Quarterly’s circulation increased by an amazing 14.2% to 22,403 – a growth rate that positions Fashion Quarterly as the fastest-growing consumer newsstand magazine in New Zealand.

With leading style and fashion journalist Fiona Hawtin stepping in as the title’s new editor, and the launch of November’s “30 Days of Fashion and Beauty” event, delivering on fashion continues to be one of ACP Magazines’ key strengths.

“After close to 30 years, Fashion Quarterly remains New Zealand’s iconic fashion title. It’s a fantastic achievement for such an established title to post a year-on-year circulation increase of 14.2%,” said ACP Magazines Group Publisher Debra Millar.

“Fashion Quarterly is often referred to as New Zealand’s fashion bible - clearly the readers are keeping the faith!"

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For release midday Friday August 15 2008

THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS: NZ’S FASTEST GROWING MAGAZINE

Taste, ACP Magazine’s innovative food title, continues to go from strength to strength increasing its readership by an outstanding 46.9% compared to the same period last year – the biggest percentage increase of any title surveyed. Taste now reaches 166,000 food lovers every month.

Circulation has also jumped by 7.6% compared to the same period last year.

Taste has been an amazing success story, growing its readership by almost 50% since its launch just two years ago. The latest survey results across both readership and circulation show Taste achieving new highs on both counts.

“Taste magazine has been a stellar performer for ACP Magazines since its launch in August 2005. It’s a great example of the right magazine at the right time,” said ACP Magazines Group Publisher Debra Millar.

“We’re thrilled with Taste’s circulation and readership performance. To boast the fastest growth of any magazine in the past 12 months is a fantastic result.

“We have built a healthy monthly circulation of 32,150 in a relatively short period of time. Clearly Taste hits the spot with New Zealanders seeking fantastic every day meal solutions."

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THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY NZ’S NO 1 CHOICE

The Australian Women’s Weekly NZ edition is now the highest circulating and best-read monthly women’s title in the country. This iconic title has now overtaken NZ House & Garden in the latest Nielsen National readership survey.

The Australian Women’s Weekly sells a stunning 78,298 copies every month, with a typical issue read by 627,000 people.

Bolstered by enhanced content and investment in the title, the NZ edition of The Australian Women’s Weekly has recorded a 3.1% period-on-period circulation increase and a 0.8% lift in readership.

An integral part of Kiwi women’s lives since it launched in this market 75 years ago, The Australian Women’s Weekly offers exclusive stories shared by A-list personalities and outstanding regular features covering food, home and living.

“Editor Leonie Barlow has really connected with her readers and she’s attracting more of them by delivering great editorial value in every issue. At the end of the day good magazines sell – The Australian Women’s Weekly is proof of that.

“We never taken for granted our position as New Zealand’s number one monthly women’s magazine,” said ACP Magazines Group Publisher Debra Millar.

“In 2008 we invested a lot into The Australian Women’s Weekly, expanding our New Zealand content and bringing on board new editorial talent. It’s clearly paid off!"

ENDS

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