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Author: Jo Tomlin

  • Future plc acquires SheerLuxe 

    Future plc acquires SheerLuxe 

    Future highlights that the deal will:

    • Complement its existing portfolio and is fully aligned with its strategy, to diversify their audience and content monetisation
    • Drive synergies and deliver strong incremental capabilities across social, newsletters and podcasts to benefit existing portfolio of leading brands
    • Deliver value creation with high direct revenue growth, EBITDA margin at 40% and returns higher than WACC

    About SheerLuxe

    SheerLuxe is a highly-recognised Google-Zero brand that draws an audience of 6m across social, newsletters, websites and podcasts, skewed to Gen Z.

    SheerLuxe was founded by Georgie Coleridge Cole in 2007 as a directory of online retailers, and has evolved into a leading UK digital publisher in Women’s fashion and lifestyle. It comprises a portfolio of digital brands that reaches an audience of over 6m, including 2.3m monthly page views, 2.4m social followers, 0.9m email subscribers and 0.4m YouTube and podcast subscribers.

    In the 12 months to September 2025, SheerLuxe generated revenues of £12.6m and delivered EBITDA of £5.1m, representing a margin of approximately 40%. The business has been growing through innovation, having achieved +32% organic revenue CAGR since FY 2023 (year to March 2023) while remaining fully self-funded given its strong cash generative profile.

    Strategic rationale

    SheerLuxe represents a unique investment opportunity for Future. It is highly complementary to their portfolio of brands and offers multiple avenues to drive the platform effect. SheerLuxe is a high-growth Google-Zero brand, with Gen-Z audiences across social, newsletters, and podcasts which drive high levels of direct audience and engagement.

    According to Future, this acquisition will benefit their portfolio from incremental skills and capabilities that SheerLuxe brings in this area. SheerLuxe will also benefit from Future’s strong UK commercial team, enabling an acceleration of the strategy by developing new business opportunities across Future’s broader platform of brand and agency partners. Further, SheerLuxe will be able to leverage Future’s innovative products such as Collab and Future Optic, driving growth in the business.

    It further strengthens Future’s Fashion & Beauty vertical which includes leading brands such as Marie Claire and Who What Wear.

    Leveraging Future’s presence and relationships, Future also plans to launch SheerLuxe in the US.

    Financial information

    Future reports that in the 12 months to September 2025, SheerLuxe generated revenues of £12.6m and EBITDA of £5.1m. The acquisition is for an initial cash consideration of £39.9m on a cash-free debt-free basis to acquire 100% of SheerLuxe, and represents an EV/ LTM EBITDA multiple of 7.8x. Total acquisition consideration is capped at £80m. This would require the delivery of an ambitious business plan and continued double-digit EBITDA growth through to FY 2029 and continued employment of SheerLuxe current management team.

    Kevin Li Ying, CEO of Future, said: “I am delighted to welcome the SheerLuxe team to Future. We have long admired SheerLuxe for the status and brand credibility it has established in fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With a rare combination of strong growth characteristics and a loyal, high-value audience, SheerLuxe will be highly complementary to our portfolio and will benefit from our scale and commercial capabilities.”

    Georgie Coleridge Cole, founder of SheerLuxe, said: “Joining Future represents a huge milestone for SheerLuxe. Since it was founded in 2007, SheerLuxe has become an authoritative voice on fashion, beauty, culture and lifestyle focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining our fast-growing audience. With its innovative approach to media, Future is a natural home for us, and we are excited about what we can achieve working with Kevin and the wider team.”

  • EUDR latest: One year delay with exemption for magazines adopted by European Council

    EUDR latest: One year delay with exemption for magazines adopted by European Council

    On 18 December, the European Council formally adopted a targeted revision of the EU regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR).

    To reduce administrative burden, certain printed products (such as books, newspapers, magazine, printed pictures) were removed from the scope of the regulation, reflecting the limited deforestation risk associated with these items. The revision streamlines the due diligence requirements and postpones the application of the regulation for all operators until 30 December 2026, with an extra six-month cushion for micro and small operators. 

    This means that publishers and their partners can pause efforts to achieve compliance with EUDR while the exemption of printed products is formally adopted, which should go ahead at the end of 2026.

    The revised regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force three days after publication. It is stressed that the revisions will not legally take effect until they are published in the Official Journal.

    Overall, this is good news for the publishing sector. It appears that there will no longer be any obligations under EUDR for publishers and our value chain partners. The PPA will monitor the situation and provide updates should any changes occur.

    For more information, see the official press release here, or contact charlotte.jeffreys@ppa.co.uk.

  • NLA launches new data service Newsworthy

    NLA launches new data service Newsworthy

    The new service will allow PR and communications professionals to buy accurate article level data from earned media coverage in influential news media brands for the very first time.

    Newsworthy will share real digital data (page views, geographic, engagement) from some of the UK’s biggest and most influential media brands, including The Telegraph, The Scotsman, Daily Mail and Birmingham Mail.

    The new platform plugs directly into publisher servers, allowing PR professionals to access the same article data used by the media companies themselves.

    Agencies and in-house communications teams can find out more about the product, pricing and how to sign up, at the launch website https://newsworthy.nla.co.uk/.

    Newsworthy is a pilot product which, if successful, will be developed with publisher brands to offer enhanced functionality, additional data and real time trend analysis.

    NLA CEO, Henry Jones, said: “Newsworthy will bring the most accurate possible data to the market, more than matching the transparency on offer in sectors such as social media, streaming and advertising.

    “This launch will allow PR professionals to understand the real impact of the earned media they work so hard to achieve across hundreds of national, regional and specialist titles. The PR and communications industry is using data more and more to plan and assess communications strategies. We believe Newsworthy will become an important part of their data armoury, enabling more accurate assessment, better planning and improved data-driven strategy development.

    “NLA Media Access has always been a facilitator between publishers and PR and communications teams. In Newsworthy, we have created a marketplace for publishers to sell access to their data. We hope that this will help to deepen the symbiotic relationship between quality journalism and the UK’s world class PR industry.”

    Fergus McKenna, Content Sales Director at Reach PLC, added: “Newsworthy is an important first step for both national and regional publishers, in offering enhanced transparency on the power of trusted media brands. In the age of mis- and disinformation, our valued and significant audiences come to us for trusted, fact checked content. Giving the PR industry the ability to understand the value of their and our journalists’ work is essential to growing an important creative industry”.

    At launch, Newsworthy will be a self-serve marketplace, with each publisher setting their price on a title-by-title basis. The aim of the pilot phase is to demonstrate demand for this level of data transparency and to seek feedback from the industry. If that is the case, Phase Two may include enhanced functionality, user experience, data aggregation and visualisation with subscription fees replacing the initial pay as you go approach. 

  • PPA named Best Trade Association at Industry Awards

    PPA named Best Trade Association at Industry Awards

    The judges praised the organisation’s transformation over the past three years, noting:

    ‘With new partnerships, commercial collaboration, and accessible guidance on complex issues, the PPA continues to champion its members and strengthen the publishing sector. Over the past three years, the PPA has transformed into a future-focused trade body, with new steering committees, stronger policy influence, and growing membership. Campaigns such as Make It Fair have placed members’ voices at the centre of national debate on AI and copyright, while initiatives like the Action Net Zero Pathway and the Next Gen Board drive sustainability and inclusion.’

    Sajeeda Merali, CEO of the PPA commented: “We’re delighted to be recognised for the hard work we have been doing for members on behalf of an industry we proudly and passionately represent. Our members are at the core of everything we do, and we look forward to continuing to champion your needs. Well done to the whole PPA team.”

    The Memcom Awards celebrate the best of membership organisations, trade associations, and professional bodies across the UK.

  • PPA launches new Emissions Calculator to help sector track and reduce carbon impact

    PPA launches new Emissions Calculator to help sector track and reduce carbon impact


    Developed using RISE and supported by Pensord, the tool was created with input from the PPA’s Sustainability Action Group, a collective of PPA members. It is specifically designed to be straightforward and jargon-free, making it ideal for members just starting or in the early stages of their emissions reduction journey.

    The calculator provides a framework to assess and report emissions linked to delegates, sponsors, and corporate clients, helping to demonstrate accountability across the full value chain.

    The new tool will also give advertisers greater transparency into the sustainability credentials of their media partners, ensuring investment aligns with their own climate commitments. The creation of a consistent standard across publishers, will enable advertisers and their agencies to make more informed, responsible choices about where they place their spend.

    Fully aligned with the PPA’s Action Net Zero Pathway, and built to recognised industry standards, including the globally accepted Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, the Calculator allows users to measure, track and reduce emissions from a wide range of activities. These include electricity use, business travel, professional services, office waste, employee commuting, and supply chain impacts across print, web and events.

    The tool produces an audit-ready summary report, complete with tailored guidance to help members take the next steps on their sustainability journey.

    Sajeeda Merali, CEO, the PPA, said: “Our industry is united in its commitment to a more sustainable future, and the PPA Emissions Calculator is a key step forward. Designed to be simple and accessible for publishers of all sizes, it empowers members to measure and manage their carbon impact with confidence. By providing a credible, standardised approach to reporting, the calculator not only supports our journey to Net Zero but also gives advertisers the transparency they need when partnering with trusted editorial brands.”

    Michelle Whitehead, Sustainability Lead, Immediate said: “The PPA’s Emissions Calculator is a game-changer for our industry and gives every publisher a consistent, practical tool to measure, understand, and reduce their impact. By working from the same standard, we can move faster together towards a more sustainable future. For advertisers, this consistency and transparency across trusted publishers means greater confidence in supporting media partners who are actively reducing their carbon footprint.”

    Sophie Service, Director, Hemming Group said: “The PPA’s Emissions Calculator has been transformative for us, enabling Hemming Group to bring our carbon measurement and reporting in-house with confidence. It gives us consistency year-on-year, aligns with the Paris Agreement targets we’ve set, and crucially helps us meet the growing demand from clients, including government bodies, for transparent emissions data. The tool not only supports our sustainability goals but strengthens our ability to serve our partners’ reporting needs.”

    Thierry Panhelleux, Group Director Sustainability and Strategic Sourcing, Hearst UK said: “With the adage ‘we manage what we measure’ at the heart of Hearst UK’s sustainability strategy, the PPA Carbon Emissions Calculator has become a trusted tool in our carbon management journey. Its robust, data-driven approach has supported the validation of our SBTi target and enabled us to demonstrate meaningful climate action to stakeholders across our ecosystem — from management and employees to suppliers and clients.”

    The PPA Emissions Calculator can be downloaded by PPA members here.

  • Cabinet reshuffle: new ministers across various departments

    Cabinet reshuffle: new ministers across various departments

    Following the resignation of former Deputy PM, Angela Rayner, Keir Starmer has announced a cabinet reshuffle, whilst also reappointing ministers to various departments.

    Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

    DCMS remains largely the same, with Secretary Lisa Nandy remaining in post. Former Minister for the Creative Industries, Chris Bryant, whose portfolio was closely aligned with the policy areas at the PPA, has been moved to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). His post has been taken on by Ian Murray who has also been assigned as a minister within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), similar to Bryant.

    Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)

    DSIT has undergone one of the most significant changes, with a new Secretary of State and two new ministers.

    Liz Kendall is the department’s new Secretary, with Ian Murray and Kanishka Narayan becoming ministers. Feryal Clark, who oversaw AI, has now been moved to the backbenches.

    The scale of change at DSIT mirrors wider Cabinet moves in departments facing pressure on major policy areas. In the case of DSIT, AI and copyright have been prominent issues for the department, making the reshuffle particularly noteworthy. More broadly, most changes across government have been reassignments to other posts rather than dismissals, with Number 10 seeking to reset policy delivery in key areas.

    Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

    Peter Kyle, who was the Secretary for DSIT, is now Secretary for DBT. Chris Bryant joins him in this department. Justin Madders, who was responsible for digital markets, competition and postal regulation, has left DBT and is now on the backbenches.

    We are yet to see the full briefs of new and reassigned ministers. However, once these are confirmed, we will be working alongside industry stakeholders to brief ministers on our key issues.

  • PPA Responds to ICO Consultation on Online Advertising Regulation

    PPA Responds to ICO Consultation on Online Advertising Regulation

    The PPA has submitted a response to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) consultation on its regulatory approach to online advertising. In our submission, we emphasised the importance of Government using its powers to create a more enabling environment for publishers, specifically by extending PECR – Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, exemptions on consent requirements to include data sharing with third parties for advertising purposes.

    We highlighted that the privacy risks in this area are marginal, given the vast availability of personal data online (particularly that controlled by large platforms), and that genuine digital anonymity is now virtually non-existent.

    Our response also underlined that publishers cannot sustain viable advertising models on contextual or consent-less inventory alone. Continued access to personalised advertising is critical to maintaining quality, independent content and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.

    The consultation comes as the ICO sees a change in leadership, with William Malcolm, a former Google lawyer, replacing Stephen Almond as regulatory lead. We are engaging with the ICO to arrange a meeting between Malcolm and PPA members to discuss these issues in more detail.

    You can read our full response here.

  • HELLO! and OMD UK in Channel 4 takeover and media first

    HELLO! and OMD UK in Channel 4 takeover and media first

    In a ground-breaking partnership to mark the launch of Channel 4’s new show, The Inheritance, HELLO! has changed it’s masthead logo from HELLO! to BYE! on the 1 September issue. 

    HELLO!’s familiar red masthead, has been adapted to preview The Inheritance, Channel 4’s new game show where thirteen strangers compete to win an inheritance from a fictional deceased benefactor, played by Elizabeth Hurley. The collaboration between OMD UK, HELLO! and Channel 4 delivered a distinctive media placement designed to introduce audiences to the programme.

    The campaign includes a comprehensive media plan across HELLO!’s print, digital and social platforms, teasing the programme launch with exclusives, highlighting the show over three weeks of transmission. 

    OMD, Channel’s 4’s media agency devised the media-first partnership. Creative Partner, Annie Jarvis, says: “We were briefed to deliver a playful launch idea that matched the show’s camp and cut-throat vibe. With its legendary status in the celebrity world, our idea was developed solely with HELLO! in mind. It just had to be them! Through collaborating closely with the teams at C4 and HELLO!, we were able to get this iconic first into the real world. We are SO excited to see BYE! on shelves.” 

    Iain Walters Head of Marketing at Channel 4 added, “Iconic show, iconic talent and now an iconic partnership. We loved the playful creativity working with HELLO! has unlocked; their willingness to adapt their most unique brand asset has created a fun, disruptive and unique activation. HELLO! readers will also have access to exclusive content and interviews from Elizabeth Hurley.”

    HELLO! Publisher Tamsyn Spires says: “We are thrilled to partner with the creative teams at OMD UK and Channel 4, using the strength of the HELLO! brand with a market first execution to introduce a fantastic new show in such an innovative and exciting way.” 

    The Inheritance can be found on Channel 4, watch or stream Sundays and Mondays at 9pm and Tuesdays at 9.30pm.

  • Women’s Football sees increased visibility on the newsstand with the launch of new title

    Women’s Football sees increased visibility on the newsstand with the launch of new title

    SheKicks (incorporating Her Goal) published by Baltic Publications, launches on June 27, 2025, including a range of content such as player interviews, news and reviews, features on both professional and grassroots levels of the game, through to coverage of international competitions.

    Available as a subscription title since 1996, SheKicks delivers a unique perspective on the world of women’s football, unseen before on newsstand shelves. It highlights the achievements of women in football, with a strong emphasis on empowering female athletes and promoting the growth of the women’s game. Through its comprehensive coverage, the title seeks to raise the profile of women’s football, celebrate its history, and advocate for greater opportunities and recognition in the sport.

    According to a recent study by SportFive1, ‘72% of Women’s Football fans don’t feel they see enough coverage of Women’s Football, and 82% believe more specific content formats should be produced’. This new title launch goes some way in helping to mitigate these consumer demands.

    Andrew Mullen, CEO, Baltic Publications, said: “Growing interest and participation in women’s football has encouraged us to launch our product on the newsstand, extending the reach of our content to a wider audience. This is the next evolution for our business, as we continue to help enhance the visibility of women’s football to existing and future generations of players and fans alike.”

    SheKicks is on sale at WHSmith Travel, TG Jones, TESCO, Morrisons, ASDA, Waitrose, and Independent newsagents nationwide. A cross-collaboration with Panini Collectables will see all copies of the first newsstand issue cover-mounted with a free packet of Panini Lionesses collectable stickers valued at £0.90.

    [1] SportFive – The Rise of Women’s Football, A Movement Not A Moment

  • PPA Awards 2025 – winners revealed

    PPA Awards 2025 – winners revealed


    This year’s awards attracted an incredible breadth of entries. More than 48 judges from across the industry, including members of the PPA’s Next Gen Board, took part in the rigorous judging process, bringing diverse perspectives from all corners of the publishing landscape.

    The categories this year include new digital awards to reflect the direction of the sector.

    From world-class editors and writers, innovative marketers, and commercial leaders, to excellence in products like podcasts, newsletters, subscriptions, data, and events. The awards also recognise the highly effective initiatives driving progress in sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, and beyond.

    Sajeeda Merali, CEO of the PPA, said: “This year’s winners showcase the extraordinary calibre of talent across both consumer and business publishing. They reflect the unique value of trusted editorial brands, and the deep connections our brands continue to build with audiences. The quality of work produced by everyone on the shortlist is a true celebration of everything that makes our industry so important to consumers, commercial partners, and the creative sector overall.”

    The evening also included a tribute to former PPA CEO Barry McIlheney who died earlier this month. McIlheney was CEO from 2010-2020, and journalist and writer David Hepworth took to the stage to pay tribute.

    The winners

    • Audio Content of the Year: The Campaign Podcast, Haymarket Media Group        
    • Best Digital Product or Service: Radio Times App, Immediate
    • Best use of AI: AI Email Marketing Success, William Reed   
    • Business Excellence Award: Hearst UK         
    • Campaign for Good: Targeting Health Inequalities, MIMS Learning, Haymarket Media Group
    • Commercial Partnership of the Year (Business): Ford Pro & What Car? Vans, Haymarket Media Group
    • Commercial Partnership of the Year (Consumer): Good Food & Morrisons, Immediate
    • Community Engagement Award: C+D Community, Citeline
    • Content Marketing Agency of the Year: Think         
    • Cover of the Year: ‘Adam Brody’, Stylist, The Stylist Group
    • Data Initiative of the Year: The inSight accelerator, Infopro Digital Services
    • Designer of the Year: Jessica Lockett, Stylist, The Stylist Group
    • Digital Changemaker(s) of the Year: Nathan Bamsey, William Reed
    • Digital Publisher of the Year (Consumer): SheerLuxe
    • Digital Publisher of the Year (Business): William Reed
    • Diversity & Inclusion Award: TTG, TTG Media
    • Editor of the Year (Business): Colin Marrs, Construction News, emap        
    • Editor of the Year (Consumer): Daniel Bennett, BBC Science Focus, Our Media
    • Employer of the Year: Bauer Media  
    • Event of the Year (Business): LegalTechTalk 
    • Event of the Year (Consumer): New Scientist Live, Harmsworth Media
    • Industry Partner of the Year: Marketforce   
    • Media Brand of the Year (Business): Campaign, Haymarket Media Group
    • Media Brand of the Year (Consumer): Stylist, Stylist Group
    • Newsletter of the Year: New Scientist Book Club, New Scientist, Harmsworth Media
    • Special Interest Brand of the Year: BBC History Magazine / HistoryExtra, Immediate
    • Subscriptions / Marketing Initiative of the Year: Customer-First Subscriptions Strategy, Nat Geo Kids and Nat Geo Little Kids Magazine, Creature & Co.
    • Sustainability Initiative of the Year: From Couch to Carbon Zero: Climate Action at Immediate
    • Team of the Year: Digital Marketing Team, William Reed
    • Tech Partner of the Year: NLA Media Access
    • Video Content of the Year: Superdrug – The Edit Magazine Video Series, The River Group
    • Writer/ Columnist of the Year (Consumer): Hayley Campbell, British GQ, Condé Nast
    • Writer/ Columnist of the Year (Business): Mark Ritson, Marketing Week, Centaur Media

    Thanks to strategic partners: Air Business, Pensord, ProRata.ai, Workbook CRM. Event partners: Acorn Web Offset, The Brewery, CLA, dsb.net, evessio, Kantar Media TGI, NewsTeam, NLA, PLS, PPA Magnetic, WP Engine. Media Partners: InPublishing, Flashes & Flames, and Press Gazette