Portfolio extension taps into UK’s fastest growing sport
Future, the special-interest media group, has announced the launch of Triathlon Plus, a new monthly magazine aimed at participants in the UK’s fastest growing sport – triathlon.
On sale on the 7th April, Triathlon Plus extends Future’s reach into the sports sector, building on its market leadership position in cycling. Future’s cycling portfolio includes Cycling Plus, Procycling, What Mountain Bike, Mountain Biking UK, and the world’s most visited cycling website network, which includes www.bikeradar.com and www.cyclingnews.com
The sport of triathlon has seen a massive growth in the last few years. In 2000 it was added to the Olympic programme in Sydney and since then participation has doubled in the UK. The London Triathlon is the biggest in the world with 13,000 participants and last year in the UK alone there were 650 registered races and 100,000 entrants.
The magazine editorial will celebrate the energy, excitement and fabulous locations of triathlon’s international racing scene; it will deliver the best training advice from the top athletes in the field; and it will showcase and review state-of-the-art equipment which is fundamental to the sport.
The 148 page magazine will be produced in Future’s Bath office, will be edited by Future veteran and consultant editor Mat Brett. Formerly Editor of Mountain Biking UK and Cycling Plus, he is a keen triathlete himself.
Katherine Raderecht, Group Publisher for Future’s sports portfolio said:
“We are a world leader in cycling publishing on and offline with fantastic products that reach and engage millions of cycling enthusiasts. It’s a natural step for us to look at extending the editorial strengths we have in cycling into areas where we see a market opportunity, such as triathlon.”
Simon Wear, Future’s Chief Operating Officer said:
“The triathlon market has been growing at an incredible rate over the past few years. We believe there is now a real appetite among both consumers and the industry for a magazine that provides high-end design and editorial content, and our track record in cycling gives us the ideal credentials to do this. The specialist skills embedded in the structure of Future lend themselves perfectly to creating a great magazine packed full of tutorials, reviews and features. We’re excited to be bringing something new and different to this dynamic market.”
The first issue of Triathlon Plus goes on sale on the 7th April, with a cover price of £3.99.
Ends
Did you know?
- The number of members of British Triathlon’s Home Nation Associations has increased by an average of 10% a year since 2000.
- With 13,000 participants, the London Triathlon is the biggest in the world.
- Triathlon gained Olympic status faster than any other sport – under 30 years.
- There were 650 events registered in the UK governing bodies in 2008, although it’s expected that there were 800 events in total.
*Source – TGI Q2 2008 / Guardian Newspaper
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 further information
For more information please contact Jen Campbell, Communications Executive on 01225 732269 or jen.campbell@futurenet.com
