New multi-media launch taps into new gap in lifestyle market for simple living
13/08/12 Future, the international media business and the UK’s best selling publisher across the creative market has announced the launch of The Simple Things; a new, monthly, multi-media lifestyle brand, celebrating the simple things in life.
On sale 6th September, The Simple Things is the latest launch from Future and celebrates homemade values and simple living – from urban gardening to thrift store shopping, simple cooking and relaxed entertaining to collecting vintage finds. Fresh and contemporary in design, it features a blend of interiors, gardening, cookery, lifestyle and craft.
The brand is aimed predominantly at women, from urbanites to country lovers – looking for individuality and a brand that reflects their values.
The print launch will be closely integrated with the blog www.thesimplethings.com which will proactively engage with a very active online community. The Simple Things will also be available in an interactive digital format for tablet users, with integrated videos and galleries.
This new launch comes from the same team who produced Future’s hugely successful lifestyle-craft title Mollie Makes, which has become the UK’s number one contemporary handmade magazine since it launched in May 2011. It was Future’s fastest growing title in the last decade, with over 12,000 subscribers in the first year.
Each 132-page issue of The Simple Things will blend inspiring and accessible interiors ideas, beautiful things to make, recipes to share, help with making the most of gardens or allotments, and original thoughts from people who share the ideal of a simple lifestyle.
Katherine Raderecht, Group Publisher for Future’s Creative portfolio, says:
“Future has a long-standing track record of launching fresh and innovative products, and this latest addition to the portfolio is set to continue that tradition. As a launch into the lifestyle sector, The Simple Things is a new departure for us but, based on the success of Mollie Makes, is one we’re confident will work.
“There is a real gap in the lifestyle market for a new brand like The Simple Things, and with high production values, unique editorial and a refreshing simplicity, this title will be a must-read title for the new ‘go slow’ movement. The digital edition will be packed with market-leading editorial delivered in an innovative, interactive way that uses the tablet to best effect, and with support from the blog, The Simple Things brand will reach readers on an international level.
“We’re excited to see this project finally come to fruition, so we’re looking forward to seeing the reaction and reception of readers and the industry alike once it hits the newsstand in September”.
The first issue of The Simple Things goes on sale 6th September, priced at £4.99. Visit www.thesimplethings.com for more information.
-ENDS-
Editors Notes:
● Demand for allotments growing by 20% annually – grow your own is at an all time high
● Vegetable seed sales are booming – up 25% up and now worth £60m-a-year
● Half a million chicken-keepers in the UK – up 1200% in 7 years.
● Membership of the British Beekeeping Association has doubled to 20,000 in the last year
● Abel and Cole is seeing 30% annual growth, delivering 60,000 organic vegetable boxes a week.
● Around 1 in 5 British women has tried a new craft activity for the first time in the last year
● In the spirit of “make do and mend, there has been a 500% rise in British sales of sewing machines
● Sales of home baking products up 25% in last 5 years
● Enjoying the countryside – walking and hiking has seen a 22% increase in regular participants over the past 5 years
About Future:
Future plc is an international media group and leading digital publisher, 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 specialist publications, apps, websites and events. We hold market-leading positions in Games, Film, Music, Technology, Cycling, Crafts and Automotive. Our biggest-selling products include TechRadar, T3, Total Film, BikeRadar, MusicRadar, Classic Rock, Mollie Makes, GamesRadar and Official Xbox Magazine. TechRadar is the UK’s number one consumer technology website. Future sells 2.9 million magazines each month; we attract more than 35 million monthly 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 is the Association of Online Publishers’ Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year.
For more information please contact Jen Campbell, Communications Executive at jen.campbell@futurenet.com or 01225 732269 / 07775 641509