News hands mags over to Express Publications

Specialist titles from New Magazines make their way over to Express Publications while not even a makeover could save men’s mag, Alpha, from getting the chop.

News Magazines has entered into a licensing agreement for Express Publications to publish the majority of News Magazines’ specialist titles.

Effective 16 May 2011, the agreement with Express Publications will include the following magazines and associated websites: Modern Fishing, Modern Boating, Overlander 4WD, Truckin’ Life, Live To Ride, 2Wheels, Chopper, Tattoo and Scooter.

Yet, not even its in 2008 relaunch could revive males men’s sports title, Alpha magazine, with the last issue on sale June.

News Magazines’ CEO Sandra Hook said closing a title is never an easy decision with the departure of Alpha part of the restructure to its specialist portfolio.

“The Alpha team has worked consistently and diligently in an extremely competitive and fragmented environment. Throughout its publication, Alpha has maintained solid rapport with its loyal and passionate sports-loving readers and advertisers,” said Hook.

News Magazines will continue to publish its other specialist titles: Big League and Australian Golf Digest under licence to the NRL and Condé Nast respectively.

“These changes will allow us to more strongly focus on News Magazines’ multi-platform offerings across our core pillars of food, lifestyle, health, fashion and our powerful newspaper magazines business,” said Hook.

A release from the company said these changes meant that “some redundancies are anticipated.”