PMP goes head to head with ACP Media

PMP’s Gordon and Gotch expands its presence in the New Zealand magazine distribution market with the purchase of Independent Magazine Distribution business.

The acquisition of 11-year-old Auckland-based IMD gives Gordon and Gotch, a magazine distributor currently with 2,500 titles in its stable, greater access to a market that is dominated by ACP Media’s national distribution network, Netlink, which claims to manage around 50 per cent of the magazine retail marketplace. The other half is now owned almost entirely by Gordon and Gotch.

According to Anthony Aitken, (pictured), general manager of Gordon and Gotch, the purchase is a natural fit for Gordon and Gotch and PMP. “[IMD consists of] ... a portfolio of successful titles including Healthy Food Guide that fit well with our existing portfolio and a distribution profile that closely matched our existing operations and therefore could be incorporated easily at minimal cost,” he said.

Aitken added that it will be “business as usual” for IMD’s publishing customers as the operation moves to Gordon and Gotch, though reports claim that there will be some minor redundancies as a result. Managing director of IMD, Simon Gleeson, did not return calls.

PMP New Zealand general manager, Peter Browne, described the acquisition of IMD as a continuation of PMP’s investment in New Zealand and a logical extension of the company’s desire to be the leading supplier of marketing and print services to New Zealand publishers.

As a small player in comparison to both Gordon and Gotch and Netlink, the IMD business, that worked with 500 titles and publications, will have a better chance at survival through integrating with Gordon and Gotch. Kath Hurley, marketing and communications manager at the Magazine Publishers Association of New Zealand, believes that the purchase is a good fit as Gordon and Gotch have a history of handling independent titles. “The market may actually benefit from some consolidation during these challenging economic times,” she said.