ACP Magazines has delivered another significant readership increase, with the groups market share rising to 46.7 percent, according to the latest Roy Morgan Readership figures (Roy Morgan Single Source, April 2007 – March 2008). And this growth is mirrored in the circulation figures to be released at midnight tonight.

The rise in readership as a whole reflects the strong performances by titles in three areas.

OK! increases a weekly wonder

OK! is still Australia’s fastest-growing weekly title, and has seen significant readership increases over the last 12 months:

• 408,000 readers per issue – an increase of 28.7 percent
• OK!‘s lead over Famous has risen from 25,000 readers each week to 93,000

Andrew Cowell, publisher, said: In this competitive weekly market, achieving a significant readership increase of 28.7 percent is an outstanding feat – and is testament to both the unswerving quality of the title and the team who produce it.

The successful team behind OK! have been rewarded with two MPA Award nominations. Kim Wilson has been nominated for the Editor of the Year award and the title has been short-listed for a General Excellence award.

National advertising sales director, Ann-Maree Mulders said: OK! remains the hot title in the celebrity market, posting our fourth consecutive readership increase. The product is embraced by consumers and advertisers who recognise the value in aligning their brands with quality celebrity content in a weekly magazine.

Pole position for car titles

ACP publishes the countrys top four motoring titles, all of which have seen growth in readership over the last year:

• Wheels (441,000 readers – 16.7 percent increase)
• Street Machine (419,000 readers)
• Unique Cars (246,000 readers)
• Motor (221,000 readers)

And they look set to further grow their car titles readership with the mid-year launch of Top Gear Australia. Top Gear is already the worlds 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.

Our diverse portfolio of informative, relevant motoring titles connects with a complex array of car enthusiasts – from the mainstream to the niche – delivering a highly engaged, targeted readership to advertisers, said Phil Scott, group publisher, Mens and Specialist Titles.

Supermodel performance from fashion titles

ACP magazines represents 43.5 percent (up from 40.1 percent) of the fashion category in terms of readership, with Harpers Bazaar and Shop Til You Drop seeing the fastest growth:

• Harpers Bazaar (258,000 readers – 10.3 percent increase)
• Shop Til You Drop (200,000 readers – 9.3 percent increase)

Harpers Bazaar is increasingly a must-read for savvy, sophisticated women seeking an intelligent fashion and lifestyle read. We will build on this outstanding growth and continue to deliver our unique proposition to readers and clients, said Pat Ingram, group publisher, Women’s Lifestyle.