Future’s agency kicks off new year with contract to relaunch music titles
20/01/09 – Roland, the global leaders in electronic musical instruments, have announced a new publishing partnership with FuturePlus, the award-winning customer publishing agency to relaunch its customer magazines.
Power On and Connect were previously published by BBC Customer Publishing and will relaunch under the guidance of Future Plus in 2009, as Roland seeks to strengthen its customer communications. The magazines are part of a plan to drive brand loyalty amongst current Roland and Boss users, whilst encourage sales of its products amongst musicians of all abilties.
Relaunching in April with a print run of 25,000 copies an issue, Power On is aimed at enthusiasts and will be distributed through Roland’s retail network and its website (www.roland.co.uk.) Sister-title Connect, with a print run of 10,000 copies, aimed at music education professionals will return later this year.
Packing 80-pages with unrivalled advice from a wealth of experts across Future’s market-leading music making magazines, Power On will include contributions from writers for Rhythm, Total Guitar and MusicRadar.
Promising news on the latest Roland and Boss kit mixed with indepth artists features, Power On is the gateway to becoming a great musician, packed with hints and tips on the company’s products, with practical guidance to empower enthusiasts.
Martyn Hopkins, Brand Manager of Roland UK said:
“With the MusicRadar platform quickly becoming an essential part of the music-making landscape, Future is an obvious choice as we redefine the role of a modern music-making customer magazine. We’re also particularly happy to be working with an exciting editorial team, and Future’s newsstand titles form a talent pool of great writing, engaging design and market awareness. Finally, Future’s in-house publishing expertise means we can develop titles which are robust, commercial and able to demonstrate effective ROI – all essential in today’s challenging economic environment.”
Ursula Morgan, Account Director, FuturePlus added:
“Working with FuturePlus enables Roland to tap into our mix of customer publishing skills and decades of newsstand experience, alongside our market-leading position in music-making media. This skillset is unmatched by any of our competitors and allows us to create compelling customer communications with a consumer magazine feel.”
The new look Power On is available from April. Connect will relaunch later in 2009.
ENDS
About FuturePlus UK
FuturePlus is the award-winning customer publishing agency of Future plc, providing innovative cross-channel content and bespoke communications for its clients – including BSkyB, BT Vision, O2, ODEON, Musicians’ Union and PC World.
Future plc is an international special-interest media group with offices in the UK and US. Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today it creates over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events, with strong portfolios in the games, technology, music, film and active sectors including sports, automotive and crafts. Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally. The Company employs more than 1,200 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).
For more information
Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, Future UK, 01225 822517
