IPC Media reviews niche magazines

IPC Media, publisher of more than 80 consumer magazines including Marie Claire, Horse & Hound and NME, is conducting a review of its niche and specialist titles which could result in some disposals. The review will be conducted over the next few months. IPC Media owns more than 85 media brands , in print and online, including titles such as Amateur Gardening, Cage & Aviary Birds, Guitar & Bass, Hair, Model Collector, the Railway Magazine and World Soccer. IPC has kicked off its strategic review after a restructuring in January that reduced its five divisions to three, focusing on audience groups of men, mass-market women and upmarket women. Evelyn Webster, chief executive of IPC Media, said that while print remained the "engine that drives our business", there was now an increased focus on "accelerating the development of our multi-platform offerings to our consumers". "As a result we need to review whether it is desirable for IPC to continue to publish the full range of brands that we currently own," said Webster. "This review may lead us to conclude that we sell some of our smaller titles to publishers where they would have a stronger strategic fit and will therefore benefit from a greater focus." • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".