Magazine gets Real

"There's nothing wrong with linking a print vehicle to an established, successful TV brand," says Associate Publisher Nechama Brodie; however, she states, this magazine will be "focused on producing a brilliant read" rather than just trading off an onscreen format.

"It's important to note that our content is inspired by, rather than strictly based on the TV show. Real magazine is about real love, real life and real people," Brodie commented.

"What is amazing is that 60% of our target market specifically choose to watch this show, making it number three after Generations and The Bold and the Beautiful," says Jonahan Harris, MD of publishers Sudden Thought.

He emphasizes, however, that "it is important to understand that whilst the show is a powerful launch platform, the magazine must be able to stand alone in its own right and live beyond the show, that's why we've invested heavily in research and in acquiring a strong and experienced team."

"True Love has done an amazing job opening up the black women's market," says Brodie, "it's certainly made advertisers sit up and take notice, not to mention readers. But it's facile to assume one magazine is going to meet the needs of this massive market. It's time we start to reflect the multiple facets of black women too..."