Author: Gareth Jones

Justine Southall, Time Inc. UK’s Managing Director, Fashion and Beauty, commented: “When Look launched in 2007, it was a publishing phenomenon and sold more than 300,000 copies a week at its peak.

“Look’s audience behaves very differently today. They’re consuming media via screens and accessing numerous digital sources for fashion and celebrity content. Facing these circumstances and a continuing pressure on sales, we have taken the difficult decision to close the brand.

“We will now be focusing even greater efforts and activity on our iconic Marie Claire brand as we celebrate its very special 30th birthday and new WomanKind initiative, which champions women and their power to change the world together.”

Look launched in February 2007 as the UK’s first glossy high street fashion and celebrity style weekly.

Chowney joins Condé Nast Creative Studio to lead its brand-owned offer, harnessing over 100 years of the company’s editorial expertise to create content for clients’ own channels.

She will report into Chief Digital Officer Simon Gresham Jones. Chowney joins the company from Hill + Knowlton Strategies UK, where she most recently held the role of Chief Content Strategist.

Within this role, she was responsible for the agency’s Content & Publishing and Data & Insights teams, consulting for clients, including Campari, Intel, HSBC Sports, Amazon Web Services and Huawei.

This comes off the back of a mental health survey Bauer conducted, which revealed that 90% of the public still feel that discussing mental health is a taboo.

The survey is part of Bauer’s campaign Where’s Your Head At?, which surveyed readers and listeners from heat, Grazia, Empire, Magic, KISS and Absolute Radio in collaboration with mental health campaigner Natasha Devon MBE and the Mental Health First Aid England.

The results of the survey will be brought to life during Mental Health Awareness Week, which kicks off today until May 20, with coverage across Bauer’s magazine, radio and online brands.

Lucie Cave, Editorial Creative Director at Bauer, has driven the campaign. “Mental health is such an important issue for our collective audiences and our survey reflects just how much of an increased worry it is for them in 2018. It’s our job as influential brands to act as their mouthpiece and do something to drive positive change,” she commented.

Of the men and women who responded to the poll, 86% agreed that mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing the country today and over a third of those people said they are more stressed now than they were a couple of years ago.

Contrary to popular opinion, only 16% of people blame social media for having a negative impact on their mental health. The single biggest worry was money (58%), while 47% said their workload impacted their mental wellbeing.

Despite recent positive steps toward a more open dialogue about mental health, including the launch of Princes William and Harry’s charity Heads Together, 90% of those questioned still feel that there remains a taboo in speaking about mental health issues in the UK.

Of the people questioned, 56% said they have experienced a mental health issue, 63% reported that they have gone through a period of depression and 42% have experienced a panic attack.

Almost half (47%) said they do not feel that they have a good work-life balance. This was particularly high for those living in London. Over half (56%) of respondents said that if they had to take time off work due to stress/anxiety, they would tell their boss the truth, but this was lower for those living in London.

Respondents (15%) have taken time off work as a direct result of stress/anxiety in the last year – and this was higher among females than males.

Expanding on the findings, Devon commented: “I hope this will spur the government into action to protect the wellbeing of its citizens at work. These results are significant because they challenge traditional thinking about the proportion of the population affected by mental health issues and the reasons behind them.”

Bauer has recently trained seven members of its HR team to be mental health first aiders and provides access to professional support via wellbeing organisation NABS and an Employee Assistance programme.

It has also recently piloted Thrive Wellness Week at its Peterborough office, which offered an opportunity to partake in useful, inspiring and valued content that aimed to make people healthy, happy and more resilient.

Paul Keenan, CEO of Bauer Media UK + Nordics, said: “We are seeking to drive a vital mission: breaking the stigma attached to talking about mental health. Not only that, but as an employer, we want Bauer to be a great place to do great work and we recognise this growing challenge and the role we must play.

“With so many of our influential brands – across radio, publishing and online contributing towards this campaign for this new law – we hope to generate a seismic attitude shift.”

Where’s Your Head At? has garnered support from a number of celebrities, including: Liam Payne, Jamie Laing, Charlotte Crosby, Megan McKenna and Kem Cetinay, who have all spoken openly about their personal struggles with mental health and have pledged their support to the petition.

Sign Bauer’s petition asking for it to be a legal requirement for every workplace or college to have a mental health first aider here.

The archive is now available to purchase as a site-wide subscription.

Foam magazine is an international photography magazine published three times a year around a specific theme.

The title first appeared in 2002, in conjunction with the establishment of Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam, serving as an extension of the museum and offering an international platform for all kinds of photography, from historic to contemporary, documentary to fashion.

Each issue contains multiple portfolios by world-renowned image makers and emerging photography talent, as well as interviews and opinions by industry experts.

Brand new to the Exact Editions platform, the publication is available to purchase digitally for individuals and institutions, with fully searchable access to the archive of back issues and all the latest content across the branded iOS app, Android and web platforms.

Every page, issue and article is included in Exact Editions’ comprehensive search facility, meaning that subscribers can instantly look up a specific theme, photographer or article.

Managing Director of Exact Editions Daryl Rayner commented on the launch: “Foam magazine is a fascinating publication with striking visuals. We’re delighted to be able to offer the title to photography professionals and enthusiasts alike who will no doubt be impressed with the quality of the digital format.”

Issues including Dummy, William Klein, Ai Weiwei and On Earth, which have long been out of print, will be available for the first time in full digital form.

Foam’s Online Marketing Manager Kiki Sideris said: “We’re thrilled with how the publication looks on the Exact Editions platform. The facility to search past issues means a whole world of photography is opened up for new and existing subscribers to explore.”

The 50th issue of Foam, Water, emphasises the essential role that the element of water plays in our lives.

NewBay Media is an events and information business based in New York.

Shaw joins from PennWell, where she served as Senior Vice President of the technology division for 17 years. There, she oversaw 14 brands in magazines, websites and global events.

Prior to this, she was a board member for Revo Media and Group Publisher for Bonnier Publications.

Shaw commented on her new position: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work for Future. There is tremendous opportunity to bring together the marquee brands that were formerly NewBay Media with the world-class operations and leadership of Future.”

She has a background in driving growth in B2B markets and brings her media, technology and marketing knowledge to the role.

Zillah Byng-Thorne, CEO of Future, added: “Our expansion in the US and diversification into B2B is important strategically for us and I believe Christine’s expertise will go a long way in steering us successfully in this endeavour.”

Matadeen joins from Vice Media, where she was Managing Director of Virtue, the creative agency by Vice. In this role, she led the brand and marketing strategies across luxury brands Chanel, Saint Laurent and Gucci – ensuring that the creative content offering was maximised across Vice and i-D platforms.

Previous to this role, Matadeen worked at Spring Studios under Robin Derrick and worked closely with clients, including Nicholas Kirkwood, Salvatore Ferragamo, Peter Pilotto and L'Oréal.

“Digital is an important aspect of our business and Priya brings strategic expertise with innovative thinking to the Vogue commercial team across branded content, partnerships, events and product,” commented Vanessa Kingori, Publishing Director of British Vogue.

Matadeen added: “I am thrilled to be joining British Vogue at such an exciting time. Digital and innovation is a key focus at the very core of our creative offering.”

In addition, Michiel Steur has recently joined the British Vogue commercial team as Special Projects and Strategy Manager. Steur was previously with Condé Nast titles British GQ and GQ Style as Business Manager and Junior Retail Editor.

The red logo has featured on every weekly issue since May 2, 1964 – the same year that the magazine rebranded from Cycling and Mopeds to Cycling. Cycling Weekly recently revealed a redesign with a new-look cover to creatively highlight its authoritative voice in the cycling sector.

Simon Richardson, Editor of Cycling Weekly, commented: “This is a big move for such an historic brand like Cycling Weekly to depart from its traditional brand colours. As soon as I saw our white logo on the pink background, I instantly knew we had to go for it.

“The distinctive pink creates a bold look that fits perfectly for this issue, which is the must-have companion for anyone following this year’s Grand Tour races.”

The special issue previews the Italian Grand Tour, giving cycling enthusiasts all the race information they need.

The first Cycling Weekly Awards will also be launched this year, with the ceremony taking place at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London on December 12. This celebration of road cycling includes categories for the best riders, best club, local hero and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Available in both print and digital, Cycling Weekly is on sale today, with a cover price of £2.99.

Searle is the first Editor-in-Chief of RealHomes.com and has plans to grow the brand to reach its full potential, making it a one-stop destination for interior inspiration and advice.

With over 20 years of experience in the homes and interiors market, Searle has overseen the launch of 4Homes magazine and the online website for Channel 4, and she was previously Associate Editor of Ideal Home.

Building on the established foundation of the digital brand’s 180k unique monthly online users, Searle plans to align the magazine and website both in look and feel.

Searle commented on her new role: “I’m really excited to have been given the opportunity to take RealHomes.com to the next level. It’s an exciting time for the brand across all platforms.”

She joins Future from Tailored Content, a content and social media marketing company she founded with her business partner and former Executive Editor of Ideal Home. Searle’s background extends across platforms, spanning broadcast print and digital, with experience on titles including HuffPost and Houzz.

RealHomes.com will incorporate the Real Homes and Period Living brands, while consolidating Future’s proprietary ecommerce platform to better connect readers with the content they love.

The magazine targets women aged 40-plus, featuring a mix of engaging real-life stories, practical advice, cost-saving tips, health advice, brain-training puzzles and high-street buys.

Simply You will be published monthly from May as part of a three-month trial to establish the title in the marketplace.

Created by Launch Editor Sophie Hearsey, Claire McAteer and the team behind Take a Break and that’s life magazines, Simply You carries the strap line ‘Real women, real results’ and encourages readers to explore how to be the best version of themselves.

Liz Watkinson, Managing Director of Bauer Media’s TV Listings and Real Life portfolio, commented on the launch: “The idea of a magazine using real-life stories to help, support and encourage women to fulfil their goals was seen as differentiating, relevant and appealing to the readers we spoke to.

“Executed with the inclusiveness, empathy and realism that our titles are well known for, this magazine delivers both an informative and entertaining package.”

Simply You will go on sale on May 3. Priced at £1.90, the 76-page magazine can be purchased in newsagents and supermarkets.

The Vision for Literacy Business Pledge was established in 2015 by the National Literacy Forum – a coalition formed of 19 literacy and child poverty organisations and assembled by the National Literacy Trust.

The Pledge garners support from UK businesses, which aid the national literacy campaign through promoting literacy within their own organisations and communities.

For example, the PPA has worked with the National Literacy Trust through our MagAid projects to harness the power of magazine media to support literacy development in schools.

The PPA’s Director of External Affairs Owen Meredith described the projects as a huge success. “We know young people find magazines an accessible and friendly way to develop their literacy skills.

“There’s a magazine brand for everyone, whatever your interests and whatever your abilities. Our brands entertain, educate and inform – reaching nearly 40 million UK adults every month.”

Meredith continued, “We’re proud to support the Pledge to help more people, of all ages, improve their literacy so they are able to press pause and enjoy a magazine moment.”

Since the Pledge’s inception, 67% of businesses have reported increased employee engagement and 50% have seen employee morale and motivation improve.

For 2018, the Pledge is focusing on businesses improving levels of social mobility in the UK so that young people are prepared when they enter the workforce.

In 2016, a third (37%) of 16-year-olds failed to achieve A*-C grades in English and mathematics GCSEs. For students from the poorest backgrounds, this number rose to almost two-thirds (61%).

Research shows that if every child left primary school with the necessary reading skills, our economy could grow by £32.1 billion by 2025.

The PPA is one of 54 businesses to sign the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge for 2018. Others include: KPMG, PwC, Costa, the Premier League, Facebook, McDonald’s, Penguin Random House and PPA strategic partner Air Business.

The Education Secretary Justine Greening has also given her support to the Pledge.

Find out how you and your business can get involved.