02/12/11
Future Publishing has strengthened its market-leading Sports portfolio with the creation of a dedicated bike and product testing team, servicing Future’s world-renowned Cycling and Triathlon brands with best-in-class expert technical reviews.
Future is the world’s number one cycling publisher, with internationally famous brands including Cycling Plus, Procycling, Mountain Bike UK, What Mountain Bike, Triathlon Plus, BikeRadar.com and Cyclingnews.com.
The Sports Product & Testing Hub will provide one point of editorial contact for the industry for all product tests and technical reviews; while efficiently generating content tooled specifically for appropriate Future sports brands. The Hub is designed to ensure every product reviewed gets the focused testing time it deserves.
With the Hub in place we will deliver:
- Even more best-in-class coverage of key products – previews, hands-on tests, reviews, group tests and buyers guides
- Even greater range of products on test
- More video tests
- Expanded and regularly updated ‘Best for’ super-tests helping consumers find the best gear for their specific needs
Manufacturers can contact the Hub directly with products for review, and content will be channelled to a range of targeted Future brands, in print, online and on the move. Through the Hub, products with a wide-ranging appeal will find more direct coverage across a range of Future’s sports platforms.
The Hub team comprises Future’s respected testing experts including these primary points of contact:
Warren Rossiter – Senior Technical Editor, Road – warren.rossiter@futurenet.com
Rob Weaver – Senior Technical Editor, MTB – robin.weaver@futurenet.com
Justin Loretz – Technical Editor, MTB – justin.loretz@futurenet.com
James Huang – Technical Editor, USA – jhuang@futureus.com
The team also includes BikeRadar stalwart James Costley-White and incorporates Future’s Bike Workshop, led by George Ramelkamp. The Hub is managed by editorial workflow specialist Josse Vander-Bilson, who will oversee the new structure and work with the magazine and website editors to ensure the Hub delivers their content requirements.
Richard Schofield, Group Publishing Director of the Sports Portfolio, says: “Our brands are already recognised as the most authoritative in the world, and our millions of consumers come to us for trusted guidance on product purchases. The Hub will enable us to deliver a more expert and wide-reaching service than ever before, across each distinct brand experience.
“Working with Future’s tech editors will be easier for the cycling industry and these changes mean we can work closely with marketing managers and product managers to plan content throughout a product’s full lifecycle – from pre-launch rumours and sneak previews, through first looks, first rides, group tests against key rivals, to long-term tests.”
Bike and product reviews form a central part of Future’s offering and the Hub team will be testing more products, even more thoroughly, than ever before.
ENDS
For more information: please contact Amy Bullen, Communications Executive on amy.bullen@futurenet.com or 01225 732269.
About Future:
Future plc is an international special-interest media group, 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 200 special-interest publications, apps, websites and events. We hold market-leading positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Classic Rock, Guitar World and Official Xbox Magazine. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, musicradar.com and techradar.com (the UK’s no. 1 consumer technology website). Future sells 2.9 million magazines each month; we attract more than 30 million unique visitors to our websites; and we deliver over 100 digital editions and bespoke apps on tablet. Future exports or syndicates publications to 89 countries, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of magazine content. Future was named consumer digital publisher of the year at the Association of Online Publishers Awards 2011.
About Future’s Cycling Portfolio:
Future’s depth and reach of content makes us the world’s number one cycling publisher across print, online and on the move. Online, our cycling websites now attract up to 4.8 million global visitors every month. Cyclingnews.com is the world’s biggest news and results service for professional cycling, whilst Bikeradar.com is a comprehensive resource for all cyclists, featuring the largest reviews and product information database in the world.
Our print titles lead the market with PPA award-winning magazine Cycling Plus continuing to grow and Procycling remaining the world’s best road racing title. Off-road, Mountain Biking UK is Britain’s biggest selling mountain bike magazine and What Mountain Bike is the UK’s leading off-road buying title.
