NSW publisher Lovatts Media has bought Nourish magazine, following last month’s collapse of Melbourne publisher Blitz Publications and its printing division, Graphic Impressions.
Blitz – now in the hands of liquidators PKF Melbourne - published a total of nine brands, including Nourish, Women’s Health and Fitness, Natural Health, Ironman Health & Fitness and Natural Vegan.
Lovatts Media CEO Rachael Northey says "the last-minute deal" with ensure the popular title continues to be published in Australia. Northey believes the demand for high-quality niche magazines is growing rather than declining.
“Against the backdrop of many publishers closing titles, our magazines are defying the trend and performing very strongly,” she says. “One of our core beliefs is that magazines should be filled with content worth paying for, rather than being heavily diluted with ads. This commitment allows us to create magazines that draw a passionate audience of loyal readers. It also gives us the ability to carefully choose the brands we partner with - creating value for our readers and advertisers alike.”
Privately-owned Lovatts Media, based at Terrigal Beach on the NSW Central Coast, produces 24 print titles in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, as well as a range of B2C and B2B websites, digital properties, and syndicated content. The company is a crossword magazine pioneer and publishes Lovatts Crosswords & Puzzles, puzzlexperts.com and youplay.com.
Lovatts last year bought a beachfront office on Terrigal Esplanade for $6.1 million and launched new mindfulness titles Breathe, Teen Breathe and Audrey Daybook.
Nourish will undergo a redesign with a focus on sustainability and plant-based living, with an editor yet to be appointed. The magazine was first published by Blitz in March 2013, aimed at women seeking recipes, nutritional content and eating plans.
Former Blitz CEO Silvio Morelli welcomed the news. “I am delighted that Nourish has found a new home with Lovatts Media, who I’m sure will take the title to a whole new level. I wish the Lovatts team all the best with this beautiful title. The Blitz team are so proud to see how far it has come and look forward to seeing its further evolution with the new design on the shelves in a few months.”
Nourish will be published monthly, both in print and online. It will be available in retailers nationally, including newsagents, Coles and Woolworths, and via subscription.