Stephen says... (2)

Finally, I’m official:

AUSTRALIA’S THIRD WAVE OF MOTORING MEDIA LAUNCHES: TOP GEAR AUSTRALIA

Wednesday 4 June, 2008: ACP Magazines announced today that it has secured the license to publish the website of the world’s top motoring brand, Top Gear. Topgear.com will launch in Spring and will be the first English language speaking and second international version of the website, outside of the UK.

The Australian website will include news, wallpapers, features, videos and games, with approximately 30% local content. Last year, topgear.com attracted over 15 million impressions and over 1.5 million unique users each month, with 36% growth year on year.

Top Gear Australia will be at newsstands from Monday, June 30th, with the launch price of $7.95. Approximate sales targets will be in the region of 60,000 to 70,000 copies per month.

Stephen Corby was also announced today as editor of Top Gear Australia. Stephen is an acclaimed journalist, having formerly worked at The Daily Telegraph as chief - sub editor and in London at The Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday and The Mirror. More recently, he combined feature writing for The Sunday Telegraph (boo, hiss) with motoring contributions to The Australian, carsguide.com.au and MOTOR magazine.

Phil Scott, Group Publisher, Men’s & Specialist and General Manager of ACP Magazines new joint venture partnership with BBC Magazines, said: “Never before has Australia had a motoring brand that fills the gap between motoring niche and mainstream entertainment. Top Gear Australia brings passion for motorcars out of the closet and into a lifestyle experience, creating a unique proposition for advertisers and readers alike.

“The combination of the strength of the world’s top motoring brand, a compelling website, significant marketing support and an outstanding editorial line-up ensures Top Gear Australia is poised for success,” added Scott.

Top Gear Australia will be supported by a significant national above-the-line campaign and a targeted retail strategy, rolling out from June 30. The campaign includes television and outdoor advertising, in addition to a national print campaign throughout a variety of ACP Magazines Men’s Lifestyle and Motoring publications.

Top Gear Australia is the first magazine to launch under the new joint venture publishing partnership between ACP Magazines and BBC Magazines. Top Gear is already the world’s number one motoring media brand, with television audiences in more than 120 countries, and more than 20 international versions of the magazine in 40 territories.

Malibu says: Woo-hoo! Yabbadabbadoo! Yee-ha! It's finally official. But... the site doesn't launch until spring? How on earth can we wait that long? Luckily, we'll have some reading material to tide us over until then (I mean proper reading material, printed on paper with ink and all that old-fashioned stuff).

Congratulations, Stephen. "Acclaimed journalist", "outstanding editorial line-up"... I'm guessing you feel a little better now than you did this time last week.