APN adds more magazines to its belt

Addition of three news titles from Pacific strengthens APN’s arm in magazines.

APN News and Media’s New Zealand Magazines acquired the licence to publish three of Pacific Magazine’s titles in NZ this week. Under the agreement, which takes place from the start of next month, New Zealand Magazines will publish the weeklies, New Idea and That’s Life, along with monthly title, Girlfriend.

Martin Simons, APN group publishing chief executive, could not be drawn on the effects this deal would have on APN’s printing, other than to tell Print21 that: “Printing arrangements will continue as at present.”

Chief executive, Brendan Hopkins, believes that the move will extend the company’s reach into new market segments. “They will increase New Zealand Magazine’s unduplicated reach from 1.2 million New Zealanders to 1.5 million,” he said.

“The new titles added under licence will all fit well with our portfolio and extended APN’s multimedia strategy, ensuring we continue to service our markets with an even broader product suite for advertisers.”

New Zealand Magazines currently published New Zealand Woman’s Weekly; the NZ Listener; Crème; Simply You and Simply You Living. It also has the media sales agency for Time magazine in New Zealand.

Looking ahead, Hopkins said that deals like this will provide APN with a broader product suite for advertisers.

“Building alliances will be a key part of APN’s future direction,” he added.