EMAP ready to abandon link with Elle
EMAP could soon be bidding farewell to its glossy women’s title Elle as the magazine’s UK co-owner, putting an end to the publisher’s ten-year-old partnership with French publishing group, Hachette Filipacchi Médias.
The announcement comes as the French group confirms the acquisition of another British publisher, Attic Fu
tura, which publishes Sugar and B.
Elle was launched by Hachette in France before it opened 17 years ago in the UK in partnership with EMAP.
The magazine was subsequently rolled out in the homes markets with the launch of Elle Decoration, and more recently EMAP launched the quarterly Elle Girl, targeting teenagers. Top Santé and New Woman are also part of this joint operation.
Paul Keenan, chief executive at EMAP consumer media, says: “Hachette’s acquisition of Attic Futura will inevitably have an effect on the Hachette/EMAP joint venture. In the light of Hachette’s known intentions to purchase Attic Futura and other issues, EMAP last month initiated discussions on the future direction of the joint venture.
“Having done so, we’re now prepared for a possible separation of the titles and are committed to ensuring that any separation will be amicable and efficient,” Keenan added.
The future of Elle is unlikely to be resolved this year. Hachette also has a joint deal with IPC Media through a share in Group Marie Claire that licenses IPC to produce Marie Claire.
