Top Gear: magaine wants TV buzz
BBC Top Gear magazine must have closer links with the television show if it is to generate a similar buzz, new editor Michael Harvey said this week.
A former motoring correspondent of the Financial Times, Harvey said he planned to reinvigorate the magazine following the renewed success of the TV show led by presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
“Jeremy has reinvigorated the brand through the programme and that puts the onus on the magazine to play catch up,” Harvey said.
“He has brought new life to the whole sector. The design needs a bit of attention and I think the content needs freshening. It’s appropriate to bring it closer to the TV programme because apart from the involvement of Jeremy as a columnist, there is not a lot of common ground and we would be crazy not to look at it as an option.”
Harvey’s first priority will be to find a new art director and he also plans to bring in new writers.
Clarkson also welcomed his appointment: “I’m delighted that Michael is joining the Top Gear team – he’s got a wealth of experience, knows his cars, and crucially he knows the difference between a good story and a great one.”
Harvey, currently editor of Land Rover magazine Onelife, has also edited the Porsche GB customer magazine The Marque and was editor of Autocar for eight years. He has contributed to The Daily Telegraph, Car, Wallpaper, Autoweek (US) and remains a contributor to the FT’s Weekend.
He will take over from Top Gear founding editor Kevin Blick, who is due to leave on 2 May after 10 years.
By Ruth Addicott
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