Parentwise buy heralds BBC Magazines expansion drive

BBC Magazines has acquired independently published title Parentwise, signalling the launch of an “aggressive” acquisition strategy.

The title will continue to be produced from its offices in Brixton, south London, and will be run by Parentwise managing director Pamela Janson-Smith.

BBC Magazines deputy managing director Nicholas Brett says: “Parentwise is a strategic acquisition. It proclaims that we are looking out for other opportunities in the market.

“We already have 20 per cent of the children’s magazines market and Parentwise will help to link those titles with our existing women’s magazines. Future acquisitions will fill the gaps in our stable.”

The newly acquired title will be relaunched in autumn as BBC Parentwise.

Last year, BBC Magazines was rumoured to be planning a joint venture with the National Magazine Company to launch new titles. The partnership failed to materialise.

BBC Magazines has since struck a deal with the Telegraph Group to create The Daily Telegraph Gardening magazine, which will be launched this year (MW November 21, 2002).

BBC Magazines’ last acquisition was Gardens Illustrated, bought in August 2000 from John Brown Publishing.