Hardcore music enthusiasts lift Classic Rock and Metal Hammer to new heights
12/02/09– Future – the special-interest media group, today announces the best-ever ABC performances of its music brands, Classic Rock and Metal Hammer – as the only two rock music magazines reporting growth in the market.
Both monthly magazines sell more copies than ever before, reaching significant circulation milestones for the first-time. Classic Rock reported a 4.1% year-on-year increase to 70,188 copies, further increasing its sales lead on weekly ‘modern music’ titles Kerrang! and NME.
Classic Rock’s ABC success was driven by its ability to excite and engage a generation of music lovers reinvigorated by the triumphant return of veteran acts including AC/DC and Metalica, alongside wider acceptance and celebration of legends, like Black Sabbath, Kiss and Led Zeppelin.
Future’s heavy metal title, Metal Hammer saw its sales grow by 9.7% year-on-year to gain ground on its main rival, Kerrang! – who reported an ABC decline of 32.1% Metal Hammer continues to grow as the brand becomes deeply embedded in the scene, with live events like its ‘Defenders of the Faith’ tour selling-out.
Throughout 2008, Metal Hammer continued to invest in engaging editorial, alongside a cover strategy showcasing bands championed by Hammer, including Machine Head and Slipknot. Continuing a legacy of innovative cover treatments – Metal Hammer celebrated the return of Metallica with an ultra limited sculpted metal cover, which sold out instantly.
Chris Ingham is Publisher of Classic Rock and Metal Hammer:
“Classic Rock and Metal Hammer have been championing real rock music to hardcore enthusiasts for more than a decade, so I’m delighted to see print sales increase. In a competitive sector, we have seen the reach and influence of music titles grow across print, online and live events.
“From our internationally televised rock award shows, to the forthcoming Hammerfest festival, Future offers real music enthusiasts a deeper level of engagement to fuel their passion above and beyond the usual music media.”
Future also reported growth from its market leading music-making portfolio, with three of its six titles reporting year-on-year growth. Future Music grew sales by 11%, whilst Guitar Techniques and Guitarist expanded by 7% and 8.5% respectively, with Guitarist reporting its sixth consecutive annual ABC increase and its highest ever sales figure.
The company now reaches more musicians than ever before, as the recently launched MusicRadar Network continues to grow.
ENDS
About Future
Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong market positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts.
Our biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Digital Camera, Fast Car, Classic Rock, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, and musicradar.com. Future produces over 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 18 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 25 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.
For more information
Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, Future UK, 01225 822517
