Weight Watchers has chosen ACP as its new publisher after it cut ties with Pacific Magazines, after sources suggested the brand's relationship with Pacific had soured.
It was initially suggested to AdNews that NewsLifeMedia was the frontrunner in the pitch for the Weight Watchers business.
ACP Magazines won the title following a tender which involved NewsLifeMedia. While Pacific Magazines had been invitesd to take part in the pitch, it has been suggested the publisher did not partake in the later stages of the process, as the relationship had broken down.
AdNews revealed Weight Watchers' relationship had ended with Pacific Magazines last week.
ACP Magazines, now owned by German publisher Bauer, will oversee all of Weight Watcher's publishing operations including its cookbooks and member program materials. The title will continue to be published by Pacific Magazines until February 2013, after which ACP will take over.
Weight Watchers Australasia managing director Joseph Saad said: “Like any commercial organisation, we always look for ways we can improve our business practices, and made the decision to award ACP the tender as a result of their strong market-driven approach.
"Having published our Weight Watchers cookbooks since 2010, ACP were responsible for taking them to a wider audience with distribution into newsagents and major supermarkets.
“ACP has an enviable heritage, and as Australia’s foremost publisher, they are tasked with bringing the crème-de-la-crème of publishing experts, editors and writers to all Weight Watchers content.
“For the past 10 years Pacific Magazines has published our monthly Weight Watchers magazine, and recently led a complete design overhaul for the title, which saw the use of real-life slimmers on the front cover. We value our relationship with Pacific and thank them for their extensive contribution to the brand.”
ACP Magazines publishing director Gerry Reynolds said: “We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with Weight Watchers, and reinforcing our stable of health and wellness magazine titles with the addition of a respected and established heritage brand.”
ACP was sold last month to German publisher Bauer for $525 million as former owner Nine Entertainment Co looked to stave of some of its $2.7 billion of senior debt.
Follow @AdNews on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at amykellow@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.