Publish and be damned - Sunday Business Post - 20 September 2009

The recent departure of Gloss magazine from the news stands and its move into the Irish Times, where it now appears as a monthly supplement, ostensibly means one fewer competitor for other Irish titles.

But the move is indicative of the struggle that Ireland’s stable of women’s magazines has endured over the past 12 months to raise advertising revenue during a global recession - and in a fiercely competitive market.

Getting an up-to-date picture on ad spend for Irish magazines is difficult, as revenue figures are published on an annual basis at the end of the calendar year. Last year’s advertising revenue figure, published by Magazines Ireland, was down by €24 million to €215 million compared to the previous year.

Magazines Ireland represents 43 Irish publishers which produce more than 200 magazines between them. The annual spend figures for 2009, which will be published next January, are likely to be considerably lower again.

According to Philip McGaley, joint managing director of Dyflin, which publishes Prudence and Confetti magazines, the past year has been ‘‘incredibly turbulent’’ for the sector. But he believes things have begun to settle down.

"Many advertisers stayed out of the market over the past year for their own bottom-line reasons, but they’re starting to realise that they need to have a presence in the market," he said.

"We’re seeing advertisers returning to the market after a ten to 14-month absence."

According to McGaley, retail sales of both of his firm’s magazines are marginally up.

"For some reason, recessionary periods encourage couples to tie the knot. The latest CSO figures, published last November, suggested that there would be about 30,000 weddings on the island of Ireland this year.

There were just over 2 2,000 marriages in the 26 counties in 2006, so Confetti is selling well," he said.

"Similarly, Prudence, which has a value-for-money ethos, is doing well retail-wise. As the title would suggest, it is a magazine for our times, and probably has more resonance today than it did when we first launched it in November 2004."

Richard Power, managing director of Image magazine, painted a similarly bleak picture in terms of ad revenue for the last year.

"Our last ABC sales figures were at about 27,000, but everyone is taking hits. Nama and the Lisbon Treaty could affect foreign investment and advertising in the Irish market," he said.

‘‘Most foreign fashion houses don’t have an agency in Ireland - we have to go to them and bring in the money. There has been a slight increase in activity in the ad market since June, but the next few months will depend on the perception of our market overseas, and whether or not Ireland is still considered a luxury goods market.”

Norah Casey is head of Harmonia, the country’s largest consumer magazine publisher, which publishes Irish Tatler and U magazine. "Ireland is a niche market," she said.

"Our market is one-tenth the size of Britain, yet we have to compete with British titles, which account for about 80 per cent of the glossy magazines on shop shelves. Our magazines have to look the same as our competitors, and have the same production, feature and photography standards and values."

"It’s a testament to the people that work in our magazines that we succeed in that respect, but we have a small circulation and we survive on advertising, rather than through cover sales."

"Big fashion houses feel they have covered the Irish market by taking out advertising in British titles that appear on Irish newsstands, so we have to fight for our share of the cake every year. All the big beauty brands are looking at cutting costs and, unfortunately, we’re often seen as being part of the regional British magazine market."

Casey expects an advertising spike this quarter. ‘‘I think people held on to their money waiting to see what kind of summer we’d have. We had a bad one, but now I think people have a little spend to release, and they’ll want to get their figures up for the last quarter of the year. Whether or not it will carry us to January remains to be seen,” she said.

"Irish Tatler will be 110 years old next year, and U magazine has been published for more than 30 years. This isn’t the first recession that these magazines have been through."

Predictably, there have been job losses at most women’s magazines at this stage. "We’ve had to look at staffing levels across the board," said McGaley.

"There were a number of redundancies and cutbacks. It’s the most unpalatable part of this business but, unfortunately, it is necessary in the current climate."

Image magazine’s Richard Power said: "I’ve been asked can I guarantee that there won’t be any redundancies at Image in the next six months. I can’t - everyone has had cutbacks.

Staffing is one of our most expensive outlays, and we continue to look at staff numbers. We’re not replacing staff that leave. I think people have to upskill themselves and be able to work on both online and print production."

Harmonia decided late last year to move away from the raft of contract publications that it produces, to concentrate on its own titles. "It’s very difficult to raise advertising spend for those magazines in a recession," said Casey. "We had to cut staff numbers at the beginning of the year after downsizing our contract publishing sector. There’s no point having a suite of titles in the market right now."

Casey said Harmonia’s Food & Wine magazine now had sales of almost 9,000 copies every month. Ireland of the Welcomes, its subscription based US publication, is also bucking the industry trend, with a circulation of almost 84,000. An Australian version of the magazine will be launched in January.

All three publishing companies have invested in an online presence, and Richard Power believes that the internet is only a threat if magazines don’t develop their own websites.

Harmonia launched iVenus.com in 2000 and revamped it earlier this year. "Online is not the easiest place to create wealth," said Casey. "iVenus has a thriving life of its own, but people still prefer to read a glossy magazine.

"Glossies have longevity - people don’t tend to keep supplement magazines, but they do hold onto glossy publications.

Look at all the homes, salons and doctors’ surgeries that keep back issues. In that respect, an ad is not for a day, it’s for a month, and often more."

Irish press industry agrees historic new environmental, management standards

18 September 2009

Ireland's publishers, wholesalers and retailers have joined forces for the first time ever to agree a new set of environmental standards as well as a new code of practice designed to introduce greater efficiency and cooperation within the Irish press industry.

Click here to download press release (Word Doc 380k)

Irish Fulfilment & Subscription Services Limited Presentation

John Scanlon - IFSS - 15 September 2009

Click here to download presentation (PPT 32k)

Magazines Ireland is the new name for the association of Irish magazine publishers.

Magazines Ireland is the new name for the association of Irish magazine publishers.

"The new name reinforces the unique position Irish magazines play in the cultural, social and economic life in Ireland", explains John Mullins, Chairman of the organisation.

Pictured L-R; Michael Fitzpatrick, Harmonia; Adrian Gallagher, Business and Finance; Grace Aungier, Magazines Ireland;Philip McGaley, Dyflin Publications;Margaret Donnelly, IFP Media; Frank Quinn, Mediateam; John Mullins, Zahra Publishing; Denise McQuaid,Ashville Media Group; Richard Power, Image Publications; Lucy Campbell, RTE Publishing; Duan Stokes, Hot Press.

Other members of the executive committee not pictured are Michael Diviney,ICAI; John Whelan,Danstone; Rosemary Delaney, WMB and Elaine Divilly, Golden Egg Productions.

Magazines Ireland represents 43 Irish publishers who together produce over 200 magazines, both consumer and business to business titles. There are over 2,000 people directly employed in the magazine industry with a further 9,000 jobs, such as freelance journalists, photographers and models, reliant on the sector.

"Irish magazine publishers contribute over €400 million to the Irish economy annually; €100 million of which is paid in taxes. Magazines Ireland has an important role to play to ensure this sector is allowed to develop and expand to its full potential in the coming years", says Mullins.

Irish magazines compete with UK titles for space on the newsstands. Yet despite this major competition, Irish titles continue to perform well and outsell all others in each category within which they compete. "Irish readers prefer Irish magazines because the content is more relevant, the products and services featured are available in this market and the prices quoted are in the local currency. We have to build on this and make sure the market conditions, from production and distribution through to retailing and legislation, facilitate the huge potential we know to exist in the magazines sector", says Mullins.

Designers in member magazine companies took part in a competition to design the new corporate logo which was won by Tony Temple from Zahra Publishing.

A full list of members and their titles, including contact details and rate card information is available on the web site.

Defamation Bill - President signs two bills into law

Thursday, 23 July 2009 10:10
President McAleese has signed the Defamation Bill and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill into law. She met the Council of State yesterday, who advised her on the legislation's constitutionality and had been considering whether to refer the bills to the Supreme Court.
The bills were recently passed by the Dáil and Seanad.

A Helping Hand? - Checkout - June 2009

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Irish Market Ready for a shake-up - Irish Printer - June 2009

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Design Competition - Magazines Ireland

Magazines Ireland is the new name for the PPAI.

We have two fantastic weekend breaks in Ireland to give away to the designers of the new Magazines Ireland logo and branding.

All designers in member companies are invited to submit designs for:

a) a new corporate logo for Magazines Ireland to be used on all communications material from the company

b) a "branding identifier" which will clearly identify and market Magazines Ireland members' titles to the consumer as being Irish.

This will be used on the covers of members' magazines and would be something along the lines of "We're Irish"; "Irish First" etc

Submissions must be received by close of business on Friday 12 June 2009.

The submissions will be judged by the executive committee of Magazines Ireland chaired by John Mullins, Chairman, Magazines Ireland.

A prize of a weekend break in Ireland will be awarded to the winner of each design.

You have two chances to win so get designing!

We look forward to receiving your entries.

Entries please to:

Grace Aungier
Chief Executive
Magazines Ireland
25 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2
01 667 55 79 / 086 088 0845
www.magazinesireland.ie

European Press Freedom Charter to be ratified by journalists on Monday, 25 May 2009 in Hamburg

1. Freedom of the press is essential to a democratic society. All governments should uphold, protect and respect the diversity of the press and its political, social and cultural missions.
 
2. Censorship must be absolutely outlawed. There must be a guarantee that independent journalism in all media is free of persecution, repression and of political or regulatory interference by government. Press and online media should not be subject to state licensing.
 
3. The right of journalists and media to gather and disseminate information and opinions must not be threatened, restricted or be made subject to punishment.

4. The protection of journalistic sources shall be strictly upheld. Surveillance, interception or physical searches of newsrooms, private rooms or journalists’ commmunications with the aim of identifying sources of information or infringing on editorial confidentiality are unacceptable.

5. All states must ensure that the media enjoy the full protection of the law and the authorities while carrying out their role. This applies in particular to defending journalists and their employees from physical attack. Violations of these rights and any threats to violate these rights must be carefully investigated and punished by the judiciary.

6. The economic livelihood of the media must not be endangered by the state or by state-controlled institutions. The threat of economic sanctions is also unacceptable.

7. State or state-controlled institutions shall not hinder the freedom of access of the media and journalists to information. They are obliged to support them in their mandate to provide information.

8. Media and journalists have a right to unimpeded access to all news and information sources, including those from abroad. For their reporting, foreign journalists must be provided with visas, accreditation and other required documents without delay.

9. The public of any State shall be granted free access to all national and foreign media and sources of information.
 

Presentation by Shanahan Direct Marketing to PPAI 12 May 2009

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PPAI gets legal at employment law evening

The Periodical Publishers' Association of Ireland (PPAI), in association Peninsula Business Services, held a seminar on Monday 11th May in PPAI Offices focusing on Employment Legislation and Health & Safety in the workplace, specifically aimed at owners and Managers. 

The informative discussion outlined the latest developments in employment legislation and allowed attendees the opportunity to evaluate their own HR practices. Just some of the topics covered were: discrimination, migrant workers, redundancy, absence management, grievance & disciplinary procedures, minimum notice, unfair dismissal, contracts, leave, NERA and working time regulation.

‘In our current climate businesses are struggling as a result of legal burdens.  With many companies facing redundancies, proper practice must be adhered to or even the most financially-robust business may face hefty awards or fines’ – said Grace Aungier, Chief Executive, Periodical Publishers’ Association of Ireland.

Peninsula Business Services offers employers 24-hour access to experts on employment and human resources legislation and provides interpretations of the law and advice on human resource management as well as representation and indemnification against employment awards. Everyone who attended had the opportunity to renew their current Employment Law and Health and Safety Practices.

For further information please contact:

Grace Aungier @ PPAI
T: 01 667 55 79
E: grace@magazinesireland.ie

Olwen Smith @ Peninsula Business Services Ireland
T: 01 850 60 55
E: olwen.smith@peninsula-ie.com

Sam Ryall @ Peninsula Business Services Ireland
T: 087 122 5303

Click here to download PDF.

Irish magazines advertising revenue at a huge €215 million

New figures for advertising spend in Irish magazines show magazines received a huge
€215 million in advertising revenue putting it in third place, behind only national press and television, and ahead of regional press, outdoor, radio, cinema and the internet.

The Periodical Publishers' Association of Ireland (PPAI) has expressed its satisfaction with the results of this up-to-date survey conducted on advertising revenue in magazines, carried out by Breakdown of Advertising Share and Expenditure (BASE) at the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI).

The Magazine Advertising Revenue Survey is the fourth comprehensive survey conducted on advertising in magazines in Ireland, and it provides an in-depth analysis of advertising revenue and volume. This groundbreaking piece of research covers 317 Irish-published magazines.

This new research correctly values the magazine share of the Irish advertising market for 2008. The relative values show that the advertising spend in Irish magazines accounts for 11% of the total value of Irish advertising, and this compares favourably with international values at similar levels.

"The results of this year's survey is yet another endorsement of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Irish magazine industry to reach core target audiences. The industry publishes over 300 titles covering the full range of demographics and interest groups in Irish society", said Richard Power, Chairman, PPA Ireland.

New PPAI chairman is ready to deal with periodical issues

Sunday Businss Post: Sunday, April 19, 2009

John Mullins has been elected to the position of Chairman, PPA Ireland. John has been a member of the PPAI Executive Committee for a number of years and is the Co-founder of Zahra Publishing, publishers of Easy Food, Easy Health and a number of business-to-business titles. Before returning to Ireland to set up his company, John worked for a number of publishers in London and Sydney including Time Warner, Gruner and Jahr, FPC magazines and Monet Blue.

Irish magazines are determined to sort out their distribution issues and to emerge from the recession with an increased share of the market, according to John Mullins, the new chairman of the Periodical Publishers Association of Ireland (PPAI).

The early months of this year brought a headache for the already under-pressure Irish magazine sector in the shape of a row between retailers and Newspread, the main distributor of papers and magazines.

Click here for full story.

"Empowering citizens: the magazine media"

In order to promote the magazine publishing industry in a proactive way, FAEP intends to launch this year a lobbying campaign entitled:

"Empowering citizens: the magazine media"

As discussed in the last Publishing and Advertising Committee meeting, the aim is to raise politicians' awareness of the importance of magazines for a free and democratic society, as they help citizens to be informed and armed to cope with the many challenges faced in our modern world.

This communication campaign takes place in the frame of the arrival of new MEPs (elections in June) and new members of the Commission (change of Commissioners and their cabinets at the end of 2009).

Several formats will serve this purpose during the campaign
- Meeting of journalists/editors in chief with the Commission
- Exhibition at FAEP´s Annual Gala Event
- FAEP´s Annual Magazine
- Film
- Additional meetings with new MEPs and new members of the Commission.

The campaign is also designed to provide FAEP with data and evidence that magazines are a part of the solution to public concerns (alcohol abuse, obesity, climate change etc.) and that regulation (especially of advertising) will only reduce magazines' ability to invest in the creation of trusted content for all EU citizens.

In order to have the most powerful impact possible, we would like you to provide us with some material for this campaign. In this view we would like you to answer to a questionnaire composed of 2 key questions:

1. Could you please provide us with some editorial examples (printed or online articles / cover page) of how magazines contribute to educate citizens on the following topics:
consumer rights // health // alcohol // obesity // climate change // sustainable lifestyles // children education/parenting.

The articles/cover pages should ideally be sent in "pdf" format and should include information on the demographic of the readership and the readership figures.

Some examples of the kind of articles/publications we are looking far are below:

2. Could you please give us concrete examples of initiatives - direct or indirect - your (member) organization(s) aiming to initiate citizens´ actions and interaction with society (especially social and environmental activities)?

Can you please provide us with this material (preferably by mail to lucile.barjot@faep.org ) before the 10 April 2009. Please do not hesitate to contact Lucile Barjot (lucile.barjot@faep.org / +32 2 536 06 08) for any questions you might have.

Thank you very much for your help!

Best regards,
Max

Max von Abendroth
Director of Communications and Sustainability
_________________

European Federation of Magazine Publishers

Why the Google settlement matters to you.

Nearly every book published before January 5, 2009 is covered by the Google settlement agreement. As a copyright owner, you should understand how the Google Book Settlement may affect you.

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