Circulation boost for EMAP

EMAP Metro has registered strong circulation growth in the latest round of ABCs, while the IPC Weeklies Group of titles remained largely static.

EMAP’s men’s glossy title FHM, purchased last year, has made the strongest turnaround, with a 50 per cent year-on-year increase in circulation during the January-June period taking it from 60,298 to 90,607.

Barry McIlheney, EMAP Metro’s managing director, says the title has benefited from a booming men’s magazine market and through being a better product under EMAP. “We’ve broadened its reach; it has defined a new position for itself.”

Q magazine maintained its position at the top of the men’s market with a 14 per cent year on year increase to 214,225. The company’s film titles Empire and Premier also posted strong growth of 12 per cent and 18 per cent respectively, taking them to 151,134 and 47,347.

IPC weeklies’ best-performing title was the younger women’s weekly Chat which increased its sales by 18.7 per cent year on year. Its new title Eva, launched last September, has posted a first ABC of 394,155, five per cent above IPC’s launch target.

Woman increased sales by 3.4 per cent to 795,383 while Woman’s Weekly stayed static at 782,261. Woman’s Realm fell nine per

cent to 329,412.

Figures for Marie Claire will be announced next week.