13th August 2009
Latest Imagine ABCs buck trend
Bournemouth-based publisher posts solid ABCs for Jan-Jun 09
In difficult market conditions, Imagine Publishing has shown
confidence in its Xbox 360 titles by posting positive ABC results for
the Jan-June period, while its main rival failed to audit any of its
gaming portfolio.
X360, the company’s flagship Xbox 360 title, posted an increased ABC
of 26,092, bucking the market trend that has seen its competitors lose
confidence. 360, Imagine’s Xbox 360 magazine for discerning gamers,
posted an ABC that fell from 12,939 to 11,518, yet still managed to
increase its overall sales thanks to a move from 13 issues to 17
issues per annum. Imagine’s combined monthly Xbox 360 magazine
circulation now stands at 37,610 and gives the company a market-
leading share of 69.4%.
With Play magazine on a 12-month ABC, and with its only major
competitor declining to audit its PlayStation titles in this period,
Imagine’s PlayStation publication remains the leading independent
title, with an ABC of 26,464.
Nick Jones, Editor in Chief of 360 and Play commented: “These are
difficult times for games magazines – our rival’s reluctance to ABC
this period is proof of that. However, in spite of this, our two Xbox
360 titles have held up well, with one increasing its ABC and the
other increasing its overall sales with more issues published. It’s
also immensely satisfying to see Play, the world’s longest-running
PlayStation magazine, not only survive, but flourish in conditions
where others have failed.”
Rick Porter, Editor in Chief of X360 and games™ said of the ABCs: “I’m
extremely pleased that despite the tough economic climate, X360 has
managed to grow its readership. It’s a real testament to the hard work
that the team put into the magazine every month and it’s good to see
consumers value this quality and effort.”
Advertising Manager James Haley added: “It’s great to see we are
growing our Xbox 360 reader base and are still the number one choice
for the independent Xbox market. Videogames is a very challenging
market at the moment – the closure of Future’s PSW highlights this.
Our results are extremely encouraging, offering a solid, transparent
platform for our advertisers to showcase their products and engage
with their target market at a critical time in the year.”
Imagine Publishing is one of the UK’s fastest-growing consumer
specialist publishers. Formed in May 2005, Imagine now publishes 20
magazines and 27 websites in the videogames, computing, entertainment
and photography markets. An Imagine magazine is purchased every ten
seconds.
Imagine Publishing
01202 586200
www.imagine-publishing.co.uk
James Haley
Advertising Manager
