Exciting moves at Conde Nast Independent Magazines

INM worldwide Chief Operating Officer Gavin O'Reilly said the move would take CNIM to a new plane and reflected the international group's confidence in the South African operation, which currently publishes House & Garden and GQ under licence.

Mr O'Reilly announced that Shaun Johnson, Deputy Chief Executive of INMSA, would become Chairman of Conde Nast Independent Magazines and would work with Managing Director Elizabeth Rees-Jones to further expand the division.

Mr Johnson commented: "The success of both House & Garden and GQ has shown that South African readers and advertisers expect the highest quality magazines; magazines published in the tradition of excellence of their international counterparts. With both titles recording their highest ABC figures, the future looks bright."

Welcoming the move, Vice President of Conde Nast International Bernd Runge said the new publishing and licensing arrangement would provide the basis for the next stage of Conde Nast's successful development in South Africa.

Mr Runge said: "By handing over the day-to-day operational business responsibility to Independent, we enter a new expansion stage. By enabling a larger degree of flexibility, we strengthen the market position necessary for further projects."

CNIM Managing Director Elizabeth Rees-Jones said the company's next title to be launched would be Glamour, the world's fastest-growing women's magazine. "We are bringing to the South African market a title that has taken Europe by storm. I'm particularly delighted to announce that Pnina Fenster, with 15 years' experience in editing and journalism, has agreed to become the launch editor."

Tony Howard, CEO of INMSA, said a prestigious and growing magazine division was an important part of the South African company's strategy going forward.