The National Magazine Company has appointed an editor and is recruiting journalists for a new women’s weekly.
The title, code-named Project Reveal, is one of a number of new projects in development. Once a full team is in place, insiders say it could hit newsstands by the end of this year.
Nat Mags’ managing director Duncan Edwards said: “We are looking at all frequencies, including the women’s weekly sector. One project, to which we have given the working title of Reveal, is in its infancy.”
“Reveal” will be overseen by Jessica Burley, group publishing director of the women’s home and lifestyle group.
It will feature travel, food, fashion and real life and has been described by some as a “younger Best”.
Nat Mags has been keen to extend its presence in the weekly market since the acquisition of Best four years ago. A source said: “Sales of Best haven’t been wild but it has held its own in a very nasty market. Acquiring it has suddenly opened their eyes to the idea that if you have a successful weekly, it can be a pot of gold.”
Nat Mags will invest “substantially” in marketing the new title. Insiders said the company was keen to keep dummies away from staff on other Nat Mags titles, including Best, for fear of a rival publisher such as IPC releasing a spoiler.
Edwards stressed the focus was not solely on the weekly market: “There is more than one opportunity with potential and Reveal is one of a number of projects currently in development.”
By Ruth Addicott
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