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Time, the US publishing giant, has bought a majority share in the

British design and travel magazine, Wallpaper. The pounds 1 million deal

is part of Time’s strategy to expand into the consumer lifestyle

magazine market outside the US.

Wallpaper was launched in London last September by the Canadian

journalist, Tyler Brule, with backing from the Austrian company, Ahead

Media and North South Publishing, and has so far produced just four

issues. Brule will stay on as editorial director and be in charge of

looking for new titles.

Brule said: ’Time is sympathetic to what we do. We are more escapist and

luxuriant in terms of the content than Time, but there are a lot of

international brands that could advertise in both titles.’ He added that

Time magazine attracts airline and luxury goods advertisers that

Wallpaper would like to reach.

Brule said that he would look at a number of launches in the European

market, as well as consider taking on existing titles. Time wants to

investigate established titles in the US and Australasian markets.

Richard Atkinson, the president of Time, Europe, the Middle East and

Africa, said: ’Time is having its best run in Europe in a long time and

we can look around and increase business. Wallpaper is a truly

international title, and we can leverage our Time International sales

network.’

Wallpaper’s circulation is about 45,000, with just under 3,000

subscribers.

North South will retain a minority stake in the bi-monthly. It is

distributed in the US, Japan and Europe, with its main market in the UK.