Publisher joins AOP Board and signs content deal with MSN
12/01/05 – Future Publishing has this week announced two major developments for its New Media Group. Publishing Director David Maher-Roberts has joined the Board of the UK Association of Online Publishers (AOP) and the company has also launched a new content deal with Microsoft’s MSN.co.uk portal.
AOP is an industry body formed in 2002 to present a unified voice to industry and Government, specifically to address the issues and concerns relating to all sectors of online publishing. As the latest major media owner to join AOP, Future has joined other online publishers including the BBC, BSkyB, Channel 4 and News International on the Board.
Future currently publishes a wide portfolio of websites including www.t3.co.uk, www.gamesradar.co.uk, www.metalhammer.co.uk, www.computerarts.co.uk, and www.mbuk.com. Throughout 2005 the company will redesign a number of its sites and is also planning to launch new websites later in the year.
David Maher-Roberts, Publishing Director for Future’s New Media Group says:
“Joining the AOP is a significant step for Future and is a sign of our intent and our increased emphasis on New Media channels. We will announce further initiatives throughout 2005 as our New Media Group develops effective and profitable digital media channels to benefit our core brands. Having a seat on the AOP board gives us important benefits and enables Future to have a stake in helping to shape the future of online publishing.”
Alexandra White, Director of AOP says:
“It’s enormously encouraging that Future Publishing has decided to join the AOP Board. Online publishers from different media heritages are increasingly seeing the huge value in putting their experienced heads together to grow the digital media industry and with it, their own businesses. The AOP Board now represents the crème of the quality content brands, proving how important online has become in the overall media landscape.”
Meanwhile, MSN.co.uk has announced the re-launch of its ‘Computing Channel’, with a new content deal with Future. Renamed ‘Tech & Computing’, Future’s well-known PC entertainment title, PC Format will provide the new-look channel with the bulk of its editorial, including 350 downloads and extensive hardware and PC games reviews, which will be updated regularly. Future’s longest-running title PC Plus will provide supporting content to include consumer-friendly tutorials.
The re-launched channel will sit amongst other established MSN channels such as Cars, Entertainment, Money and Travel – with a potential reach for advertisers of over 15.8 million visitors per month in the UK.
On the MSN deal, Maher-Roberts added:
“We’re delighted to be involved with the development of MSN’s computing channel. PC Format is a leading magazine and website in the PC leisure market. This is a fantastic opportunity to extend its reach and increases its profile to a valuable new audience. This marks the beginning of a series of initiatives and deals that our New Media Group will be announcing throughout 2005.”
ENDS
About Future Publishing
Future Publishing is part of The Future Network plc, which was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, The Future Network publishes over 100 special-interest consumer magazines worldwide, is the world’s leading publisher of games magazines and is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK. Future employs over 1,100 people in offices in the UK, US, Italy and France. Around 100 international editions of Future’s magazines are also published in 30 other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FNET).
For more information please contact:
Will Guyatt, Communications, on 01225 822517.
About AOP
The UK Association of Online Publishers (AOP) is an industry body that formed in July 2002 to present a unified voice to industry and Government, specifically to address the issues and concerns relating to all sectors of online publishing.
Members include Associated New Media, BBC, BSkyB, Capital Radio Group, Channel 4, Dennis Interactive, The Economist Group, Emap, FT.com, Future Publishing, Guardian Unlimited, Haymarket Publishing, Independent Digital, IPC Media, ITV Online, News International, Reed Business Information, Telegraph Digital and Which?. In addition, PPAi (Periodical Publishers Association Interactive) retains a corporate seat on the AOP board to collectively represent the interests of magazine publishers online.
For more information
Please contact Alexandra White, director of AOP on 020 7400 7510 or email: alex.white@ukaop.org.uk. Website: www.ukaop.org.uk
