View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. The Wire
  2. Job Moves
June 7, 2011updated 14 Sep 2012 5:34pm

New editor for Kerrang! as rock mag hits 30

By Press Gazette

Bauer Media has announced the appointment of James McMahon as the new editor of Kerrang! in the same week that the weekly heavy metal music magazine celebrates its 30th birthday.

McMahon is currently deputy editor of Gamesmaster and he follows Nichola Browne as Kerrang! editor. She stepped down at the end of March after 18 months in the job.

Sales of Kerrang! have held up well in recent years with the latest ABC print circulation figure up year on year at 42,967. The brand also claims to reach 172,600 unique users a month online; 1.3m viewers a month via K! TV and 1.4m listeners a week via Kerrang! Radio.

Bauer describes Kerrang! as its 'most extensive multi-platform brand", noting that it also supports a live tour and an annual awards.

McMahon, said: 'When I was a kid I wanted to be the singer in Slayer. Then I found out that they already had a singer so I decided I wanted to be the editor of Kerrang! instead. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to fulfil my dream.

"I am excited to be joining at a time when the rock scene is so healthy, especially in Britain. Kerrang! has been the guardian of all that's great and heavy for 30 years, I'm looking forward to booting off 30 more."

Associate publisher Phil Alexander said: 'James brings with him a vast range of experience and expertise, but most significant of all is the fact that he is a rock fan. In his younger days he promoted gigs, when he got older he learnt how to translate that same passion on to the page."

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

McMahon began his journalism career in 2002 as a freelance writer on NME and Metal Hammer. He was made new music editor at NME in March 2006, then features editor in 2007 before become film editor on NME.com in July 2010. He has been in his current job at Gamesmaster since March 2011.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network