Bauer Media Group has struck a deal that will see them buy APN’s New Zealand magazines consumer titles, including the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly.
Under the agreement, all APN wholly owned magazine brands – New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, The Listener, Simply You, Simply You Living and Cr√®me – will move to Bauer.
APN will continue to publish New Idea, That’s Life and Girlfriend magazines under licence from the Pacific Magazines Group Australia.
APN’s chief executive in New Zealand, Martin Simons, said the sale of the magazine portfolio reflects its strategy of an emphasis on growth assets, particularly digital.
"The development of new, transactional verticals in food, travel and fashion is the priority for APN’s New Zealand Media business,” Simons said.
“This includes the further integration of APN’s highly successful New Zealand Herald inserted magazines and Herald Online which together will continue to provide high quality content to readers across New Zealand.”
He added that APN was confident that the Pacific Magazine titles being retained would continue to play an important role in the New Zealand market, and the smaller business meant it could be more easily networked with APN’s newspaper and online products.
APN began consultation with staff on the proposed sale this morning. As part of the agreement, a number of New Zealand Magazines employees will have the opportunity to transfer to Bauer. Where possible, APN will look to redeploy those who may not be required.
