Giles Hattersley, editor of Bauer’s men’s monthly Arena, is to return to the Sunday Times after only a year at helm of the title.
Hattersley, formerly the Sunday Times’ chief interviewer, was brought in to revamp Arena but a redesign targeting the ‘me generation’has so far failed to stem sales, which dropped 27 per cent year on year to 25,532 for the second half of 2007.
Hattersley, 27, will be temporarily replaced at Arena by his second in command, executive editor Mat Smith, until the appointment of a permanent editor is made. Smith has been with the title for six years.
Hattersley said: “It has been a huge honour to edit Arena and work with such a talented team who I know will continue to make Arena the most modern, innovative men’s lifestyle magazine in the business.”
Hattersley’s redesign in October last year gave the title a stronger emphasis on fashion, aimed at “urban playboys”. He claimed at the time the new look title would be the ‘authoritative monthly bible that arms its readers with both the sharpest looks and opinions”.
Arena was part of the Emap consumer titles that were purchased by Bauer earlier this year, creating Bauer Consumer Media. Although Bauer made the decision to fold dwindling women’s titles First and NW, it remains supportive of Arena, and said in a statement the title remains a crucial part of the Bauer portfolio ‘with premium advertisers who have welcomed the changes”.
Bauer have also announced the appointment of Miles Dunbar as fashion director across the men’s portfolio. Miles has spent time as fashion manager across a wide selection of magazines including Sleazenation and Jockey Slut at Swinstead, and IPC titles Loaded, Nuts, Uncut and NME.
Helen Walker has been moved from the men’s lifestyle display team to join Dunbar as fashion executive across the rest of the men’s portfolio.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
