BBC Magazines has teamed up with Australian publisher ACP magazines in a 50/50 joint venture to publish titles from BBC Magazines in the Australian market.
The new company, which will operate from ACP Magazines’ Sydney office, will later this launch an Australian edition of Top Gear magazine, and plans a second major launch before the end of 2008.
Peter Phippen, managing director of BBC Magazines which also publishes Good Food and Radio Times, said: ‘I’m delighted to announce this deal with ACP Magazines. Top Gear is already a hugely successful international brand and this new joint venture will enable BBC Magazines to explore the full potential of other key BBC properties in what is a rapidly-growing market for us.’
Scott Lorson, chief executive officer of ACP Magazines, said: ‘This move brings together two world leading publishing houses, combining BBC’s rich portfolio of magazine titles with ACP’s local market knowledge and strong publishing culture. We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with the BBC, and look forward to jointly delivering Australian consumers an exciting range of new and compelling titles including Top Gear magazine.’
There are now 22 editions of Top Gear magazine worldwide including Italy and China. The first international version was launched in the Middle East in 1998.
ACP already has a long joint venture with Hearst magazines in Australia, which publishes Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar. Last week it was announced that NatMag is to aquire ACP’s 50 per cent stake in women’s weekly publisher ACP-NatMag in the UK.
The new company will be managed by a board of representatives from both BBC Worldwide and ACP Magazines. Phil Scott, group publisher of the men’s and specialist titles at ACP Magazines, will take on the additional role of general manager of the joint venture.
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