Lonely Planet Magazine launched in Singapore

On May 3, BBC Magazines’ Lonely Planet Magazine launched a pan-Asian edition of the monthly travel title, based in Singapore. The magazine is published under licence following a partnership deal between BBC Magazines and Regent Media Pte.  Regent Media already publishes enthusiast publications covering automobile and sports like Wheels Asia, Golf Asia and Formula 1 and Football Weekly as well as glossy lifestyle niche titles like Escape and Food & Travel.

The debut issue of Lonely Planet Magazine  Singapore has a cover price of S$7.50 (€4.35) and the initial print run is 80 000. Edited by Joyceline Tully, the Asian edition of Lonely Planet Magazine, which is to publish bi-monthly, is on sale in selected territories throughout Asia, such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, and, of course, Singapore.

Lonely Planet Magazine first launched in the UK in November 2008 and quickly expanded to other markets. By the end of 2009, BBC Magazines had already launched six international editions of the magazine. Through agreements with local publishers, Lonely Planet Magazine currently has editions in Brazil, France, Spain, Argentina, the Philippines, India and now Singapore (pan-Asian).  BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, acquired its 75% stake in the Lonely Planet brand for £89m at the end of 2007.

For more information about the Singapore-based edition, click here.

India: Worldwide Media to launch home magazine “Trends”

Indian publisher Worldwide Media is set to launch Trends, a magazine targeting the commercial interior design sector. The magazine is being launched in India as a licensing arrangement between Worldwide Media and the New Zealand headquartered Trends Publishing Ltd, not to be confused with Arizona-based magazine publisher Trends Publishing.

The magazine will be priced at Rs 250 (about €4,20). Worldwide Media CEO, Tarun Rai, said that the company is hoping for a circulation of 30 000 within the next six months.

In 2008, Worldwide Media already successfully brought Italian import Grazia to the Indian women’s magazine market.  It was the 9th international edition of the magazine when it was made available in 25 Indian cities.

Grazia India is positioned as the “thinking woman’s magazine”. It covers latest trends, Indian and international designers, must-know shopping spots and style tips. “Grazia decided to partner Worldwide Media in India because no one understands the modern Indian woman better than us. Grazia is the authoritative style magazine, but it does not preach. Its friendly tone will appeal to the confident woman of today,” said Tarun Rai, CEO, WWM at the magazine launch in April 2008.  The initial print run was 150 000 copies, the biggest by far in the market.  And Grazia India has its own Facebook fan page.

It may be noted that Worldwide Media is a joint venture between Times of India’s owner Bennett & Coleman and BBC Worldwide. WWM also produces women’s monthly magazine Femina.