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With principal share and market leading titles in most categories ACP Magazines led the resurgence of magazines at a time when discretionary expenditure was carefully considered. In what has been the toughest global economic period in recent history the expenditure on magazines was strong with only a  2.9% decline in total copies sold and a 1.7% decline in total expenditure.

ACP Magazines maintained its overall share of 51.7% for July - December 2009 and it grew in the following categories:

Phil Scott, Publishing Director, ACP Men’s Specialist & Custom group, said “Quite simply, the results underscore the strength of magazines. This is testament that people will pay for good content. In 2009 more than $1 billion was spent on magazines by Australians. Effectively, that’s 6.4 magazines sold every second! This is despite the Global Financial Crisis, the proliferation of online consumption and expanding media channels.”

According to Lynette Phillips, Publishing & Sales Director, ACP Women’s Lifestyle Group, results can be attributed to innovation and inspiration. “I am incredibly proud of our achievements in recent months. We have invested in our brands and our people and the results are there for all to see,” Phillips stated.

Key highlights for ACP Magazines in the December 2009 audit included:

Dolly – largest growth of all magazines in Australia (up 21,310 copies YOY)

- Dolly’s performance over the last 6 months can only be described as stunning. It has increased circulation POP by 12.2% and YOY by 17.9% to 140,382 by embracing a strong strategy of both category share and organic growth. Dolly’s lead over Girlfriend has increased from 9,072 one year ago to in excess of 40,000 copies now. Dolly’s POP and YOY growth was faster than any other women’s magazine.

Harper’s Bazaar - the 2nd fastest growing women’s magazine in Australia (up 15.6% YOY)

- Harper's Bazaar has had a remarkable year growing 15.6% to now sell 55,130. Harper's Bazaar outsold Vogue to claim the #1 Prestige Fashion mantle during a period that includes Vogue's highly publicised and promoted September / 50th Anniversary issue.

Shop Til You Drop – achieves its highest circulation ever (up 5.3% YOY to 83,047)

- Shop Til You Drop achieved its highest circulation ever (yet again), now selling 83,047 copies every issue. Celebrating its 4th POP increase in a row, Shop Til You Drop dominates the fashion category outselling Vogue by more than 29,000, and InStyle by more than 21,000.

The Australian Women’s Weekly – cements its position as the #1 title in the country (back up above 500,000 copies)

- The Australian Women’s Weekly achieved the 7th largest growth in circulation of all titles, increasing by almost 11,000 copies to rise above the coveted half a million sales milestone.

Woman’s Day – increases its lead over New Idea with POP and YOY growth

- Woman’s Day achieved growth both POP and YOY to now sell 409,521 copies each issue.  Woman’s Day extended its lead over New Idea who lost circulation over both periods. Woman’s Day sold one million more copies than New Idea over the audit period Oct09-Dec09.

Good Health – the fastest growing non-specialty health title (up 6.8% YOY to 64,216)

- Good Health grew its circulation YOY by 6.8% during a period that saw the launch of new health title Prevention. Good Health’s growth was faster than every other health magazine except for Diabetic Living.

Australian House & Garden – largest growth of all homemaker titles (gained 6,123 copies YOY)

- Australian House & Garden cemented its position as Australia’s number 1 homemaker title by breaking the 100,000 circulation barrier following a 6.5% YOY increase.

Australian Good Food – achieves its highest circulation of 80,838 (up 13.0% YOY)

- Good Food celebrated its third audit with another increase in circulation to reach a new high. It added a further 10% (7,677 copies) from the previous period and 13.0% (9,588 copies) from its initial audit one year ago.

Belle – the 2nd fastest growing homemaker title in the country (up 13.0% YOY)

- Style-leader Belle continued its upward trend, with its third consecutive lift, adding 13% compared to a year ago to audit 33,049.

Real Living – the 3rd fastest growing homemaker title in the country (up 10.4% YOY)

- Real Living consolidated previous gains with a strong 10.4% jump to deliver a circulation of 61,124, reflecting a positive reaction to the fresh new-look launched in August 2009.

Source: ABC July-December 2009 (monthly titles); ABC October-December 2009 (weekly titles)
Note: Category share excludes newspaper inserted magazines

For more information, please contact:

Lynette Phillips
Publishing & Sales Director, Women’s Lifestyle
ACP Magazines
T: (02) 9282 8000 
E: lphillips@acpmagazines.com.au

Phil Scott
Publishing Director, Men’s Specialist & Custom
ACP Magazines
T: (02) 9282 8000 
E: pscott@acpmagazines.com.au

About ACP Magazines

ACP Magazines is Australia’s leading magazine publisher. The company is the magazine arm of leading Australian media and entertainment company, PBL Media. ACP Magazines publishes over 85 titles in Australia which sell nearly 110 million individual copies each year. They include some of the longest-running and most successful mastheads such as The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, Dolly, NW, TV Week, Cleo, Cosmopolitan, Madison, Australian House & Garden, Zoo Weekly, Wheels and Ralph. ACP Magazines has expanded into nine other countries, including New Zealand and in Asia. It now has a stable of more than 70 international magazines. Integral to the company’s success are vibrant, information-packed reader websites.