Life & Leisure To Join Fairfax Media Magazines

22 November 2007

Life & Leisure To Join Fairfax Media Magazine Stable

Fairfax Media is to purchase the leading lifestyle magazine NZ Life & Leisure from R M Williams Publishing for an undisclosed sum.

Audited national circulation of NZ Life & Leisure is 25,000 and readership 79,000.

Fairfax Media Chief Executive Joan Withers said NZ Life & Leisure was one of the outstanding success stories in New Zealand magazine publishing, having established an ultra premium positioning in a little under three years since its start up.

“We are delighted that we have been able to secure ownership of this award winning title,” said Ms Withers.

“It is a natural fit with other leading national lifestyle titles such as Cuisine, NZ House & Garden and New Zealand Gardener.

“Our investment is recognition of the title’s standing in the market, and the exciting commercial future Fairfax Media sees for magazines of this genre. This is the second lifestyle title we have purchased in 2007 ( the other being Avenues in May ).

“NZ Life & Leisure has a reputation for extremely high production values and writing standards. Under Fairfax Media ownership these will be maintained.

“It also has the fastest growing circulation of any lifestyle magazine, and Fairfax Media will support founding Editor Kate Coughlan and National Sales Manager Trudy Parsons Smith, as they continue to grow the title’s reputation and readership.”

NZ Life & Leisure Editor Kate Coughlan said joining the Fairfax Media stable of titles would open up greater opportunities for the magazine to continue its powerful growth.

“R M Williams Publishing has been an outstanding and totally supportive proprietor, and its commitment has been the base from which we have been able to achieve our current strong position.

“Fairfax Media’s experience, expertise and heritage as a magazine publisher will give us the future backing necessary to take NZ Life & Leisure to the next stage of its development.

“We have ambitious yet attainable goals for the circulation of the magazine, which was named 2006 Lifestyle Magazine of the Year, and for delivering to the high expectations of our readers and advertising supporters.

“This is a very positive step for NZ Life & Leisure.”

Fairfax Media now publishes a total of 19 titles.

The sale and purchase is subject to final documentation.

ENDS

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