IPC media announces re-structure

IPC Media,which publishes fashion monthlies including In Style and Marie Claire, announced a new company structure, effective 4 January 2010. The revamp is organised around three audience groups of men, mass-market women and up-market women. IPC Inspire will be the men's division, comprising leisure pursuits, men's lifestyle and music brands, headed by managing director Paul Williams. IPC Connect will be the mass-market women's division, comprising women's weeklies, the goodtoknow network and the TV entertainment brands, headed by managing director Fiona Dent. IPC Southbank, the up-market division, will continue to comprise the fashion, beauty and home interest brands, headed by managing director Jackie Newcombe.

The divisional names IPC TX and IPC Ignite will disappear. Says Evelyn Webster, IPC Media CEO: “Through our iconic print and online brands, IPC delivers huge, powerful audiences to our clients and business partners. However, while our current structure has served us well over many years, it now no longer fully reflects our clients' business needs. Reach, as well as the delivery of tightly targeted audiences, has never been more important. By organising IPC by consumer audience, rather than by magazine frequency or subject area, we will create a more market-facing structure, which will also bring greater coherence to our operations.”

As well as these changes to the publishing divisions, Charlie Meredith, previously MD of IPC TX, is appointed to a newly created board role of MD, Central Operations, responsible for the majority of central operations including IPC Direct, the direct marketing division; IPC Plus, the syndication and licensing division; Production; and Property/Facilities. Charlie will also be responsible for ensuring that IPC meets its environmental obligations. Charlie will report to Evelyn Webster.

As a result of the restructure, IPC Ignite MD Eric Fuller will be leaving IPC at the end of December. Says Evelyn Webster: “In his nine years with IPC Media, of which three were on the board, Eric has made a huge contribution to the business and we all wish him well.”

Other members of the IPC Media board reporting to Evelyn Webster are: Sylvia Evans, Finance director; Stephen Hirst, managing director, Marketforce; Dee Mair, HR director; and Neil Robinson, Digital director. As well as her role as CEO, Evelyn Webster retains direct responsibility for IPC Advertising.

As a result of this new structure, there will be a reduction in a number of roles
and IPC will begin a period of consultation with affected employees from 20 November.

Image: Marie Claire November cover