Emap has unveiled an all-star line-up for the long-awaited launch of its new women’s glossy weekly, Grazia.
The
launch team boasts six former magazine editors, including Helen
Johnston, who left the editorship of Bliss before Christmas to take on
the features director role at the new title.
Emap has also
confirmed a launch date of 15 February for the mag, which will be the
latest industry attempt to open up the women’s weekly sector to a more
upmarket readership.
The company is spending £16million on the
new title, which is being produced under licence from Mondadori, the
publishers of the Italian original.
As well as editor-in-chief
Fiona McIntosh and editor Jane Bruton, whose appointments were
announced last year, the team includes associate editor Marianne Jones,
a former editor of More , homes editor Rachel Loos, formerly editor of
Elle Deco , and consultant editor Nicola Jeal, a former editor of Elle.
Emap
has also poached Carole Watson from the role of features editor at the
News of the World to become the magazine’s deputy editor and head-up
the newsdesk.
Former “3am” girl Niki Waldegrave has been appointed acting news editor.
McIntosh said: ” Grazia will be Emap’s biggest ever launch and promises to transform the woman’s magazine market as we know it.
“In today’s culture, when immediacy is at a premium, Grazia will be the most modern glossy magazine in Britain.
” Grazia has attracted an unprecedented level of interest from across the industry, in the UK and overseas.
“I’m
delighted we have brought together such a talented and experienced team
to work on such a groundbreaking launch, and we look forward to
continuing to build the team.”
In Italy, Grazia was launched in 1938 and is acclaimed as one of Europe’s leading fashion weeklies.
Johnston
added: ” Grazia ‘s impeccable fashion credentials, calibre and
knowledge of what modern women want will help the title quickly
establish a winning personality in Britain.”
Following the departure of Johnston from Bliss, Smash Hits editor Lisa Smosarski will take the helm at the teen mag.
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