John Brown wins £5m AA magazine

The Automobile Association (AA) has terminated its relationship with contract publishers Redwood and appointed the contract division of John Brown Publishing to publish the AA Magazine.

The account, which had been with Redwood since 1994, is believed to be worth more than &£5m a year in revenue and was handed to John Brown Publishing without a pitch.

The AA Magazine, owned by Centrica, is the UK’s highest-circulation contract title, with an ABC-certified circulation of more than 4 million. Following the acquisition of the AA by Centrica in 1999, the frequency of the magazine was reduced from a quarterly to bi-annual publication.

Redwood chief executive Michael Potter says: “We think we have done a terrific job, which exceeded the editorial and creative brief. So it is extremely regrettable that the AA has chosen to give the magazine to another agency.”

Last October, Redwood had revamped the magazine, giving the title a lifestyle focus, with a wide range of features including travel, leisure and financial services.

Next month, John Brown Publishing will be launching the first four of 24 WH Smith own-brand guides, retailing at &£2.99 each.