Greg Bamber, the founder of monthly regional lifestyle title YQ has sold his 50% shareholding in the title to the publisher Peter Lever.
Bamber founded YQ in 2003. The magazine was originally a quarterly - Your Quarter.
The title had been through several iterations as it explored county versions in Lancashire, Manchester and Cheshire before settling on a North West wide distribution and a monthly frequency in January 2007.
Two years ago, Bamber recruited Peter Lever as the title’s sales director.
In January this year, the company moved into new offices in Salford.
Lever told How-Do that over 35,000 copies of the title are now circulated every month. The majority are free but a growing number are distributed through Smiths, Menzies and Dawson News and stocked (cover price £1.95) by retailers including Tesco, Booths, Waitrose, the Co-op, Asda and independent newsagents. Lever added that he expected the title to be available in all North West M & S and Morrison’s this spring.
The magazine is also available at all five executive lounges at Manchester airport and a further 2,500 copies are mailed out to advertisers, agencies, PR companies and subscribers.
Lever told How-Do he has no plans for develop the title in the immediate future. The title is currently printed overseas and Lever generates additional income by undertaking some print broking.
Bamber has sold his interest in the company to concentrate on his latest venture, 10 Network, an affinity marketing agency targeting national luxury brands. The company aims to bring together wealthy individuals and selected service providers through regional networks across the UK.
He said: “Owning and managing YQ has opened many doors for me.
“Creating 10 Network gives me the opportunity to utilise the contacts and experience I have gained, creating a new exciting proposition to role out across all major UK cities.”
His fellow shareholders in 10 Network are Martin Mongan, formerly sales director, Jacuzzi UK and Mongan’s partner Marcie Incarico, the boss of Out There Events.
Lever said: “2008 is already proving to be an exceptionally busy year and the opportunity to take full control of YQ was something that couldn’t be passed up. Greg has created a fantastic magazine along with our editorial, sales and design teams and with the new website due any day now, 2008 looks like being a fantastic year.
"YQ Northwest will keep close links with Greg and his new venture, 10 Network, as well as developing closer links with his new business partners. Greg and I have worked together very closely over the last two years and built up a close personal and professional relationship, I wish Greg every success for the future.”
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