Future Share Discussion Threads

[wole] 07/3/2003 17:09

More hands on deck!

Former PC Pro associate editor joins Future computing portfolio

Two appointments and a series of supplements for Future flagship magazines

Future Digital, the computing magazine portfolio of Future Publishing, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Robson as editor of leading computing magazine, PC Plus.

Most recently associate editor of Dennis’ PC Pro, Robson takes the helm on PC Plus this week charged with the task of further developing the magazine, looking after its core values and managing the editorial team. In his new position, Robson reports directly to group publisher, Dave Taylor. Commenting on Robson’s appointment, Taylor says:

"Having worked across a number of PC magazines in various capacities for over eight years, Ian has got a wealth of technical and journalistic experience, which will be core in editing PC Plus - taking the magazine forward and building on its well-established reputation."

As editor of PC Plus, Robson takes over from Adam Evans, who now takes charge of the recently launched Digital Camera Magazine.

Aside from editing PC Plus for two and a half years, Evans' previous positions include deputy editor of PC Plus, features editor of PC Advisor and both technical and reviews editor of Personal Computing World.

Now taking on the editorship of Digital Camera Magazine, Evans is to oversee the growth of the title, taking it online as the UK’s second only magazine to appear in digital format at Zinio (www.zinio.com) – the first UK digi magazine being the Official Windows XP Magazine.

Talking about Evans' appointment and about the development of Digital Camera Magazine, group publisher, Dave Taylor, says:

"Digital Camera Magazine is an important magazine for our portfolio. Having launched only several months ago, the title has already demonstrated strong figures and Adam is the perfect choice to grow this magazine and develop it in line with the market."

As editor of Digital Camera Magazine, Evans is also rolling out a special beginners guide supplement to appear as a covermount on the upcoming four issues of the magazine. Counting 20 pages this guide is a comprehensive introduction to digital cameras offering advice on which camera to buy, how to take your first photos, how to achieve the best results and what can be done in terms of editing.

The supplement first appears on issue 6 of Digital Camera Magazine on sale (13/03) along with either a DVD (£5.99) or two CDs (£4.99) offering numerous programs and applications helping readers get the most out of their digital cameras.

-ends-

[wole] 07/3/2003 17:07

More muscle for Future Publishing’s Mac magazine portfolio

MacFormat announces new deputy editor, a series of brand extensions and a line-up of high-profile promos

Future's top-selling Apple Mac magazine, MacFormat, pulls out all stops this Spring with plans for a number of brand extensions, several substantial cover promotions and the appointment of new deputy editor, Ian Harris.

Harris joins MacFormat from sister title PC Format, where he was initially staff writer and most recently features editor. Prior to joining PC Format in 1999, Harris worked on the youth pages of the Bolton Evening News, and edited the computer page of the Wigan Reporter while also freelancing for various Future titles – all at the age of 16 and while still at school. Harris has also freelanced for Mixmag, The Guardian, and Press Gazette.

Aged 21, Harris is Future's youngest deputy editor. Rachel Spooner is senior editor of Future’s Mac portfolio. Commenting on Harris’ appointment, Spooner says:

"Ian is a great addition to the team, bringing with him not only considerable journalistic experience but also a fresh insight and new ideas, which will be extremely valuable for the development and the progress of the magazine."

Further growing the MacFormat profile is the release of Your iMac, a brand extension aimed at anyone who is new to the world of iMacs. A quarterly magazine, Your iMac offers a complete guide to all matters iMac enabling beginners to get the very most out of their machine.

Counting 148 pages, Your iMac includes a number of sections dedicated to various topics such as how to get started on your Mac, how to connect to the Internet and how to enhance your machine even further with various bits of hardware and software. Further features include guides on how to use digital cameras with your iMac, which games to play and how to create your family tree.

Covermounted with a disc, the first 2003 issue of Your iMac is on sale now for eight weeks retailing at £4.99. Upcoming issues of the magazine are scheduled for May, August and November.

Talking about the MacFormat brand extension, Spooner says:

"Your iMac is an ideal complement to the monthly MacFormat brand. While MacFormat offers a monthly selection of news, reviews and features for the more advanced Mac enthusiast, Your iMac targets the more novice end of the market taking a more complete guide approach and helping beginners get their teeth into the iMac and get the very most out of it."

Aside from the Your iMac brand extension, flagship title, MacFormat is to benefit from a number of high-profile cover gifts promoting all UK newsstand and subscription copies of the magazine.

Following the give-away of Everglide Mouse Skatez – a handy mouse add-on for precision work and gaming - this month, MacFormat has got official Apple approved iKlear screen wipes lined up for issue 128 (on sale 18/03). Also in the pipeline are custom-made, exclusive temporary tattoos celebrating the ‘Cult of Apple’ along with various cover disc promotions.

All special covermount promotions appear in addition to the regular cover discs.

-ends-

[wole] 07/3/2003 17:06

Some pretty heavy volume selling gone on today! Hmmm...

[wole] 07/3/2003 00:33

???

Anyone here? Any opinions on recent falls? Tree shake???

It is now on the Oct low... Proper support? Possible upside from here???

[wole] 06/3/2003 16:10

Offered at 48.5p! Might as well be giving it away!!

[wole] 28/2/2003 16:18

Future Publishing expands computing magazine portfolio

Bimonthly Windows XP bible responds to consumers' needs

Future Publishing's computing portfolio today announces the launch of unofficial Windows XP magazine, Windows XP Answers.

Complementing Microsoft Windows XP – The Official Magazine, the unofficial title is a tips and tutorial bible aimed at the more technical Windows users who enjoys digging around in the more complicated depths of the operating system and personalising their PC.

Windows XP Answers magazine appears on a bimonthly basis and constitutes a practical guide providing numerous walkthroughs, tutorials, Q&As, tips and hints on how to get the very best out of your Windows XP operating system.

Counting 116 pages, issue one of Windows XP Answers comes complete with a covermounted CD offering 50 bits and pieces of software. Aside from £150 worth of full programs including a complete version of digital image editor, Paint Shop Pro, the covermounted disc contains a considerable number of handy tools, utilities and applications.

Dave Taylor is publisher of Windows XP Answers. Commenting on the launch of the magazine, Taylor says: "Windows XP Answers is a great addition to our portfolio and complements its official sister magazine perfectly. While the official title is an all-round guide to the operating system offering a variety of news, features, reviews etc, Windows XP Answers is a full-on tutorial magazine providing a massive amount of technical tips and detailed walkthroughs – ideal for any tech-savvy XP user, who wants to get the very best out of their operating system."

Issue one of Windows XP Answers goes on sale 27/02/03 and retails at £4.99.

-ends-

[wole] 28/2/2003 16:17

New editor for Future flagship title

James Beechinor-Collins to take helm on T3 magazine

Future Publishing today announces the appointment of James Beechinor-Collins as editor of T3, one of the world’s leading new technology magazines.

Fronting Future's most licensed title, Beechinor-Collins' responsibilities as editor of T3 include taking the magazine to the next level, overseeing the editorial team and also helping to build on the already existing network of 15 international editions.

Commenting on the appointment of Beechinor-Collins, Future's editorial director, Andy Sutcliffe, says: "James has an incredible amount of experience – not only in terms of journalistic skill and management, but also in terms of production and design. Having worked across a wide range of titles in various capacities from group art editor to content manager and deputy editor, James brings a fresh new insight to T3 and will be perfectly positioned to take the magazine forward and maintain the title’s success."

Beechinor-Collins started his career in publishing in 1994 as group art editor for IPC Magazines Ltd looking after titles Cycling Weekly, Cycle Sport and Mountain Bike Rider. In 1997, Beechinor-Collins took on the role of deputy editor on IPC Magazines’ Mountain Bike Rider before moving to Cabal Communications Ltd as deputy editor on Maximum Mountain Bike in 1998. After becoming content manager for Rivals.net in 1999, Beechinor-Collins took on a freelance production and design role in 2002, working on various projects for both IPC Media and Future Publishing.

-ends-

[wole] 28/2/2003 00:19

I expect a further penny drop. Maybe tomorrow. Steady monday to wednesday and rising to 56p by Monday 10th. Sharp rise Tuesday 12th. JMO.

[wole] 27/2/2003 11:25

New blood for Future Publishing management team

Former FRONT publisher, Maxwell, to take charge of Total Film and T3

Future Publishing today announces an addition to the management team of its Entertainment Division with the appointment of Simon Maxwell as publisher of flagship titles, Total Film, T3 and Home Entertainment.

Previously publisher of Cabal Communications’; FRONT magazine, Maxwell joins Future's London-based office and reports directly to recently appointed group publisher, Jim Douglas.

Commenting on Maxwell's appointment, Douglas says: "Simon's appointment is great news for Future’s Entertainment Division. With his experience in publishing, marketing and distribution, Simon is the ideal choice to take the helm of Total Film, T3 and Home Entertainment.

"Simon's thorough knowledge of the media industry will play an important role, as we take our magazines to the next stage of development and continue to grow our magazine portfolio.”

Publishing director of Future's Entertainment Division, Robert Price, adds: "With Simon on board, we now have an extremely strong team of publishers in place to take our magazines forward. Building on the success of our existing titles and growing our portfolio with various new launches such as that of mainstream music magazine, Bang, we look forward to a solid year with a number of exciting developments."

Maxwell started his career in the media industry in 1997. Taking on the position as senior circulation executive at IPC Media, Maxwell was responsible for the distribution of various women’s and TV weekly magazines. A year later, Maxwell went on to become circulation manager for Cabal Communications Ltd in 1998 looking after a number of titles including FRONT magazine, Real Homes, Good Health, Maximum Mountain bike and Channel 4 Tour de France magazine. In September 2000, Maxwell was appointed publisher of Cabal Communications’; FRONT magazine.

Maxwell starts his new role, as publisher in Future's Entertainment Division, on Monday 10 March 2003.

-ends-

[raja.riaz] 25/2/2003 17:34

yes i know. it looks very tempting this stock especially if its sector is at its lows. do you think ITK is still undervalued? whats your price target on that?

[wole] 25/2/2003 17:32

Keep your eye on it raja. I suspect it might still fall a little. Support is at 50p. But given chance of 50% rise to 75p (my target) makes little difference whether you buy now or later...

[raja.riaz] 25/2/2003 17:21

just looking at the charts on this one. hard to belive it was once £8. definatly looks like it has bottomed IMHO, i'm tempted to get my feet wet once march 11th approaches

[wole] 25/2/2003 17:18

raja - my target is 75p.

[raja.riaz] 25/2/2003 17:13

but where can it go to. whats you price target wole. it does seem a lot of people have let this one go un-noticed, IMHO

[wole] 25/2/2003 16:26

Charts indicate stock currently oversold! A rise is inevitable...

[wole] 24/2/2003 13:21

CHAMP MAG II (21.02.03)

Second issue of The Official Championship Manager Magazine to hit the streets complete with world exclusive playable demo of Championship Manager 4

Forget kicking a football boot at your star player - if you really want to know how to manage a championship-winning side, head down to the newsagent on February 28th 2003. That's when the second issue of The Official Championship Manager Magazine hits the streets featuring a world exclusive playable half-season demo of the highly-anticipated football management game Championship Manager 4.

The magazine, produced by Future Publishing under licence from Sports Interactive (the game's developer) and Eidos (the game's publisher) will retail for £5.49.

Alongside the playable demo, issue two of The Official Championship Manager Magazine includes the most comprehensive guide to Championship Manager 4 yet, along with a host of news, interviews and features which will appeal to both football fans and computer gamers alike.

Expert advice on how to get the most out of the game's virtual players is offered in a special feature, along with a new 'Goal of the Month' competition which highlights some of the readers' best achievements. Additionally, the magazine features a world exclusive peek at Eastside Hockey Manager: Franchise Edition, Sports Interactive's latest addition to its management game portfolio.

Following the success of the magazine’s debut edition (which was published in October 2002) the print run for issue two is being increased by 17 per cent to 92,000 to accommodate demand for new Championship Manager 4 information alongside the playable demo. In order to ensure games players worldwide have immediate access to this new information, all non-editorial content featured in the magazine will also be available on the same date from Sports Interactive's Website www.sigames.com.

"The first issue was a brilliant magazine," said Miles Jacobson, managing director of Sports Interactive, "yet the team has surpassed itself this time round. We've gone all out to ensure that readers of the magazine have access to the best editorial, news and features possible alongside the release of the playable demo."

"Sales of our first issue beat expectations," added James Binns, publisher of The Official Championship Manager Magazine for Future Publishing, "and our priority has always been to produce a magazine which does the game justice. The feedback from issue one was great and issue two is an even better package. The launch of Championship Manager 4 is a major event and we've upped the print run to really make the most of it."

Issue two of The Official Championship Manager Magazine hits the shelves on February 28th 2003, priced £5.49. Sports Interactive and Future Publishing will confirm details of the contents of the subsequent issue shortly.

Championship Manager 4 will be published by Eidos at the end of March 2003, priced £34.99.

ends

[wole] 24/2/2003 13:19

For all the good things about this company, it's not the best at notifying investors of happenings!

Future Publishing releases Official starter pack for PlayStation 2 gamers (20.02.03)

Brand extension of Future flagship magazine delivers complete start-up package for PlayStation 2 enthusiasts

UK games market leader, Official PlayStation 2 Magazine, is this month producing a gift-packed Official starter pack as part of its brand extending, Special Edition series.

Offering everything you need to know about PlayStation 2 (PS2) in one jam-packed box, the Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack is a massive, all-inclusive package offering a number of free goodies ranging from an A-Z tips book, a sheet of stickers and a Grand Theft Auto Vice City tips poster to a DVD featuring 10 playable demos.

In terms of the target audience, the Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack is aimed both at new PS2 owners who want to get up to speed on everything about the games console as well as at hardcore gamers, who want a complete reference guide on all matters PS2.

The magazine included in the Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack counts 132 pages and provides the full low-down not only on the games console itself, but also on every PS2 game available in the form of reviews (424 in total) and previews.

Also included within the magazine is a 32-page section that functions as a PS2 encyclopaedia, offering an A-Z guide of everything in the world of the best-selling console.

Lee Hart is editor of the Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack. Commenting on the release of this Official PlayStation 2 Special Edition, Hart says: "As a brand extension of the UK's biggest-selling games magazine, this Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack is ideally positioned to offer a complete gaming guide.

"With no other PS2 publication focusing so heavily on new PS2 owners and making sure all their questions - about the console and which games they should buy - are answered, the Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack is a perfect introduction for any novice PS2 gamer. And the Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack also functions as a handy reference guide for the more hardcore gaming fanatic who can’t get enough of PS2."

Priced at £6.99, the Official PlayStation 2 Starter Pack is on sale from 21/02/03.

-ends-

[wole] 21/2/2003 17:13

Massive closing trades here! 2 50Ks and a 289K. All reported late and unknown at mid price...

If we don't start rising next week I will have to go back to stock picking school!

[wole] 20/2/2003 16:41

bigbadger - It's my guess that Barclays has been silently stakebuilding for a while. They had to notify the company because their stake exceeded 3%. However, now they'll have to notify if their stake rises or falls by any amount.

IMO, this might fall again tomorrow to test the 50.5p support but should rise steadily from then to the 56p region...

[bigbadger] 20/2/2003 16:27

Hi Wole,

I do hold shares in fnet, regarding today's announcement of barclays' latest holding in the company, any idea in how i could find out whether it's a reduction or an increase from their previous holding ?
I have been trawling through all the holdings in company announcements but with no avail, could you suggest anything ?

Thanks in advance.

B/badger.

[wole] 20/2/2003 16:08

Bah! I can see that my bankers are now trying to get into the action as well!

A BIG WORLD NEEDS A GREEDY BANK!

[boram] 20/2/2003 00:24

Maybe I am.

[wole] 20/2/2003 00:13

Hi boram, are you as expectant as I?