Sugar publishers plan £10m Website launch

Attic Futura and North South Publishing, which publish teenage magazine Sugar in partnership, are to launch a Website for teenagers backed by a marketing investment of &£10m.

Attic Futura’s Sugar, TV Hits, Inside Soap and All About Soap titles will feature on the site, which will contain content designed to appeal to both teenage boys and girls.

The two publishers have formed a joint venture with Clique.com – a US application service provider which specialises in e-commerce solutions for media companies.

Attic Futura managing director Neil Raaschou says: “This partnership will mean that we have a tremendous opportunity to leverage our magazine brands.”

The site will target teenagers with online shopping and Sugar merchandise, as well as other brands and products. To combat the unauthorised use of credit cards, the site will have in-built security checks.

A managing director, marketing director, merchandising manager and producer are being sought for the portal. The yet-to-be-named site will be launched later this year.

A substantial proportion of the initial &£10m investment will be spent on an above-the-line campaign through Attic Futura’s incumbent agencies Jojo and MJ Media.

North South Publishing also publishes the young women’s title B, again in partnership with Attic Futura.