From Daleks to crocodiles, Magazine Week celebrates the diverse passions of magazine consumers
11th Feb 2009An unprecedented series of events has been taking place in support of Magazine Week (29 September-5 October), PPA's campaign to raise the profile of the magazine category and encourage consumers to indulge their passion by buying more magazines.
On Monday, the winner of 'The Great Cover Debate', a consumer poll to find the nation's favourite British magazine cover was unveiled at WHSmith, London Victoria station. The award was collected by Gill Hudson, editor of Radio Times for the 2005 'Vote Dalek' cover. The poll generated over 10,000 votes from members of the public.
Throughought the Week, Borders' stores nationwide have been hosting magazine-related events including live stand-up comedy in Brighton, comic book drawing classes in Dundee, free hair and make-up treatments in Birmingham, a gig in London's Oxford Street, computer gaming sessions in Bournemouth, a knitting club in Bristol and a live crocodile in Islington! A 'buy one get one half price' offer on all magazines is being offered in support of these events.
Stevie Spring, chief executive of Future Publishing and Evelyn Webster, managing director of IPC Connect took part in a web chat in celebration of Magazine Week which can be viewed at www.mediaweek.tv.
At retail, WHSmith is running a range of special offers on magazines during Magazine Week. Its large high street and London travel stores have displayed prominent branding, while the London Waterloo and Victoria stores have been giving away goodie bags to customers buying more than one magazine. Tesco will be running a range of offers for its Clubcard customers and Co-op is offering magazine value packs, tear-off discount vouchers, website offers, a 'text and win' holiday competition and in-store radio advertisements in celebration of the Week.
Five thousand independent retailers have been provided with point of sale packs and leaflets to promote their Home News Delivery (HND) offering. The message 'Indulge your passion…try an extra magazine today' is being promoted to consumers via point of sale branding to encourage them to try magazines outside their normal repertoire.
Magazine Week is also being celebrated by the advertising community with a series of events being held in agency receptions and voting in a spin-off poll to The Great Cover Debate to find the magazine industry's favourite cover. The winner of the poll was Empire's Superman 3D cover which was awarded to Dominic Williams, Carat - the agency representative who nominated it. The presentation was made at PPA's Magazine Advertising Awards at London's IMAX on Thursday.