Emap has acquired the UK licence to Grazia from the Mondadori Group, Italy's leading magazine publisher. Founded in 1938, Grazia has a weekly circulation of 245,000 and a readership of 1m, consisting predominantly of upmarket 25- to 34- year-old women.
The editorial content of the magazine is weighted toward fashion and beauty, balanced with coverage of relationship issues, design, art and the cinema. The front quarter of Grazia, which is priced 1.80 euros (£1.20), is packed with fashion designer advertising.
Two years ago, Emap lost Elle and Red to Hachette Filipacchi, following the closure of their joint venture. Since then it has been desperate to fill the void in its portfolio with a title targeting fashion and beauty advertisers.
Two former Elle editors, Fiona McIntosh and Nicola Jeal, have been briefed to develop several concepts. Emap is also said to be staffing up for a launch, which would have a promotional budget at least equal to the £10m earmarked for lads' weekly Zoo. Emap declined to comment.
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