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Uncertainty reigns over the future of The Magazine… again | Print |  Email to a friend
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
It appears as though the soap opera that has surrounded Manchester’s free lifestyle title The Magazine could be drawing to a conclusion, if various sources within the city’s media and marketing fraternity are to be believed.
It appears as though the soap opera that has surrounded Manchester’s free lifestyle title The Magazine could be drawing to a conclusion, if various sources within the city’s media and marketing fraternity are to be believed.

The Magazine has been a bit of a cause celebre on How-Do ever since it first emerged that it was experiencing financial difficulties at the start of this year.

After its subsequent closure, acquisition by Alvaston Media and then phoenix-like reappearance back on the city streets this May it has garnered industry support, censure and a whole heap of comments on this very site.

It has also attracted the rumour mongers.

In June How-Do started hearing the final salvo of gossip that the title, only just re-launched by Alvaston, was experiencing further difficulties and on the brink of ‘going bump.’

The firm unequivocally denied this at the time and the July issue has been sitting pretty online ever since.

Image
Smith
However, the trickle of tittle-tattle has since flowed into something much more substantial, with fellow publishing firms noting that they were now interviewing Magazine staff and media insiders stating that they believed the title was now effectively closed.

In an effort to put this matter to rest How-Do has tried to contact both Alvaston Media and The Magazine’s founder Nicola Smith.

Alvaston Media was seemingly incommunicado at the time of writing, with the number registered on both the Plus Market site (where the firm is listed) and The Magazine’s website failing to connect.

Nicola Smith answered her mobile but declined the opportunity to speak to How-Do as contractually – due to the fact that Alvaston is publicly listed – she was unable to speak about the business on her own accord.

How-Do is therefore waiting for an official statement from the firm, which sold its creative agency Creation (involved in the design of the publication) earlier this month.

http://www.themagazineonline.co.uk/

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  Comments (23)
RSS comments
 1 By Yawn..., on 30-07-2008 15:37
Can't we have a vet put The magazine to sleep and it put it out of it's misery!?
 2 By Concerned, on 30-07-2008 16:52
If it is true then let's hope they've done right by the staff...
 3 By I HEART NY, on 30-07-2008 18:30
Has it gone to print this month?
 4 By David, on 31-07-2008 07:29
I hear it was all finished, but won't see the light of day. Shame.
 5 By Jonathan Wilde, on 31-07-2008 09:56
This will not have come as a surprise to anyone involved, day-to-day, in the regional magazine market. In my opinion, taking a previously failed and ill-conceived concept out of reveivership, and putting it back into the hands of the management that previously failed, can only lead to one outcome.
 6 By JD, on 31-07-2008 11:18
I wouldn't say it was an ill-concieved concept and its market seemed to be much like most of the regional titles on the market - city residents and the cheshire set. Whether or not, it's a case of the blind leading the blind is another matter... 
 
I though the relaunch issue had some good ideas, and its content was much improved. It was much stronger than its previous incarnation. 
 
I'd be interested to know the details as to why it 'went bump'
 7 By Peter Pickering, on 31-07-2008 14:15
Too much emphasis placed on organising parties - 'Launch Party' - 'Birthday Party' - 'Re-launch Party' - are we to be invited to a 'Final Closing Down Party'. It's a pity as much effort was not put in to their publishing activity.
 8 By MO Q, on 31-07-2008 16:39
You would think there would be some sort of comment on their website. No aparent publication out this month, phone numbers not working yet the website still works. 
 
Who are the people behind Alvaston Media? What else do they own - anybody know?
 9 By Jonathan Wilde, on 31-07-2008 17:53
As the company is listed on AIM, I thought the directors of Alvaston Media Ltd had a responsibility to report such events immediately.
 10 By Matt, on 01-08-2008 06:16
MO Q - put Alvaston Media in google - all info is there.
 11 By john, on 01-08-2008 10:37
So, with THE gone, other titles laying people off and Urban Life rebranding, cos the arse has fallen out of the property market and they think that they can "rebrand" and be Manchester again instead of just a property whore...what does manchester need, publication wise? answers on a postcard
 12 By Matt, on 01-08-2008 10:51
Is Ms Smith one of the employees attending interviews elsewhere?
 13 By MO Q, on 01-08-2008 19:02
Thanks for the tip Matt. Website gone as well now.
 14 By Anon, on 01-08-2008 19:30
Is this not the same company that How-Do's judge, Carl Hopkins, was the Chairman of??!.. 
 
(ed - fair point, that said he resigned some time ago)
 15 By Matt, on 04-08-2008 09:17
If The Magazine had been able to attract advertisers as effectively as it attracts comment, it would surely have been one of the most successful publications in the region!!
 16 By Q, on 04-08-2008 21:58
We will have to see what the outcome of the take-over talks are. If the pheonix takes flight again, it would be apt to name it Icarus.
 17 By MOD, on 04-08-2008 21:58
Is The Magazine now finished? Does anyone have any new information as to what has happened and what is due to happen next?
 18 By Philip, on 05-08-2008 09:12
Has Alvaston Media gone bust or just The Magazine? Surely, the former has a responsibility to its shareholders, and an obligation to AIM, to make the situation clear.
 19 By Debbie, on 05-08-2008 10:07
Q - what take-over talks? This is news to me!
 20 By Q, on 05-08-2008 10:54
I don't know for definite, I'm just going on second-hand information
 21 By Oh dear, on 05-08-2008 18:08
A lot of comments about the relaunch issue are indeed correct, the issue showed promise. I'm not aware that the same management team had been recruited, only Ms Smith due to the fact it has always been her baby and agreed to stay involved. Money decisions had nothing to do with her I don't think. 
 
Shame we received no official comment though. I'm only bitter as I'm another one they owe money to, again! More fool me hey. 
 
So, what now... looks like Live Manchester/Cheshire/Liverpool have big balls, THE mag have not got a chance now lets face it!
 22 By Peter Pickering, on 07-08-2008 16:10
I see Mark Brown has resigned as MD of Alvaston, but still no announcement regarding the magazine.
 23 By Jake, on 08-08-2008 10:23
Alvaston sound like a bunch of jokers

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