By Alyson Fixter
Top jobs at Emap Automotive – which publishes market-leading
motorbike magazines – have been reshuffled in advance of “difficult”
ABC figures.
Tim Thompson, previously editor of top-seller Bike, has been
switched to Performance Bikes , which industry sources suggest will see
the biggest drop in circulation in the next round of figures, due out
on 17 February.
John Westlake, previously editor-inchief at
Automotive, has moved to Bike to oversee a relaunch due to hit the
newsstands in spring.
Phil Thomas, group managing director, said:
“Tim Thompson was a highly successful editor of Bike and he’s gone on
to Performance Bikes , which is great for PB because it shows that we
are committed to the title even though it’s had a very hard time
recently.
“John Westlake is a very talented editor and we have
put him on Bike, which is very important as well because it’s our
leading title. We are expecting some difficult ABC figures and it has
been a tough year, but these changes will mean that we will turn around
our performance in the bikes division.”
Industry insiders
estimate that all four of Emap’s biking mags – Bike, Ride, Performance
Bikes and MCN – will show sales drops in the coming ABCs.
Rival
mags Two Wheels Only and Superbikes are expected to show rises,
although they are unlikely to come close to overtaking Emap’s
big-sellers.
Rob Croxall, previously managing director of the
motorcycling division, has moved to Emap Active, which produces mags in
areas such as golf, fishing and photography.
Mark Frost has moved
across from Emap Active to Automotive, to oversee the motorcycling
monthlies, including Bike and Performance Bikes
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