Publishing partnership announces five issues 2009
23/01/09 – Future, the UK’s leading games media company has announced a new deal with publishing partner Panini to create five issues of Girl Gamer in 2009.
The UK’s first games title aimed squarely at a female audience, Girl Gamer debuted in 2007 and received instant praise from the games industry and readers alike for championing teen girl-focussed software titles for the Nintendo DS and Wii. An extension of Future’s Official Nintendo Magazine, Girl Gamer has an average print run of 300,000 copies and is distributed with Panini’s Bliss and Mizz magazines.
The strengthening of the partnership sees Future make five issues in 2009. Widely expected to be another huge year for Nintendo gaming – the company launches its new Dsi handheld in the spring, as well the guaranteed Wii blockbuster, Wii Sports Resort later in the year.
Girl Gamer will continue to appear in issues of Panini’s monthly Bliss, aimed at 12-16 year old females, and the fortnightly Mizz – targeting 10-14 year old girls. Following the successful introduction of a digital version in 2008, Girl Gamer will also be made available online from Bliss (www.mybliss.co.uk), Mizz (www.mizz.com), Official Nintendo Magazine (www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk) and the GamesRadar Network (www.gamesradar.com) offering an additional reach of more than 2 million gamers a month in the UK.
This year, new issues of Girl Gamer will be available in March, May, July, September and November.
Associate Publisher of Girl Gamer and Official Nintendo Magazine, Lee Nutter said:
“We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Panini as we head into our third calendar year. It’s a big year of gaming for Nintendo with a new hardware launch and strong line-up of software titles ahead. Following a massive Christmas for games, more girls own and play Nintendo games than ever before. Working with Bliss and Mizz allows Future to reach into this audience, delivering content to more than two million girls through online and print media.”
Jess Tadmor, Marketing Manager for Panini’s Bliss and Mizz added:
“Bliss and Mizz are delighted to continue their partnership with Future on Girl Gamer. Our magazines continue to evolve, engaging more teen readers whilst staying a step ahead of the competition. As consoles and games become increasingly female friends, the interests of our readers heighten. Girl Gamer adds to our already successful editiorial formula across both titles.
Issue 7 of Girl Gamer will be available online and in print with copies of Mizz on sale 19th March and Bliss, on sale 25th March.
ENDS
About Future
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).
About Panini
The Panini Group, based in Modena, Italy, is the world leader in the collectable sticker and trading card market, is the fourth largest publisher in Europe of juvenile titles, and is currently developing a series of initiatives in the multimedia sector, both on and off-line, under the trademark Panini Interactive. In 2007, the Panini Group reached a turnover of 540 million Euros, with over 700 employees. The company, in addition to its Italian headquarters, has offices in Spain, the UK, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Turkey, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, with a total network that covers over 100 countries. Further information can be obtained on http://www.paninigroup.com
For more information
Will Guyatt, Future UK Media Relations Manager, 01225 822517.
Jess Tadmor, Mizz and Bliss Marketing Manager, 01892 500100.
