Women’s Health, the sister publication to the highest circulation men’s consumer magazine in the UK, is set to launch on 8th February 2012. Currently published in 12 countries, the magazine is planning a further nine launches worldwide next year, bringing lifestyle, fashion, celebrity, fitness and health content to female readers everywhere.
With an initial print run of 200,000 planned, the venture will be a 50/50 split between Hearst Magazines UK and US publishers Rodale. There will be an online offering launched in December 2011 to build brand awareness in preparation for the launch.
Commenting on the progression of the portfolio, Hearst-Rodale UK Group Publishing Director Alun Williams said: “We are committed to growing our portfolio in the UK, and following its unprecedented success worldwide, Women’s Health is the natural next step for our business.”
MEC Opinion: The magazine will be launching into a tough marketplace, with Zest, Top Santé, Health & Fitness and Women’s Fitness all vying for readership. Although Zest is currently the market leader, circulating 87,100 copies, it has experienced a 12 per cent decline year-on-year, suggesting there is room for a new title to deliver.
Despite the economic downturn, maintaining a healthy lifestyle continues to be an important part of people’s lives. The health industry has seen gyms, fitness facilities and leisure centres maintain steady growth, so if Hearst and Rodale can utilise their vast resources to deliver something unique to the marketplace, Zest had better watch out!
