Maxposure Media to publish luxury fashion title L'Officiel in India

The media group has acquired the license to publish the French fashion magazine in India.

Maxposure Media Group is all set to add another international title to its kitty. Starting September, the media house will publish the Indian edition of the French luxury fashion magazine, L'Officiel. Publishing rights of the Indian edition of the fashion magazine were with Apricot Publications since 2002, when it entered the Indian shores.

L'Officiel India aims to be an ultimate fashion, style and luxury destination for the elite Indians and be an authoritative voice of the Indian fashion industry. After the re-launch, L'Officiel India will keep engaging the well-heeled, fashion-conscious Indian woman who is independent, well travelled and educated. The magazine is targeted at 35-year-old, educated women.

The magazine will be re-launched in September with an initial print run of 45,000 copies and will continue to bear a cover price of Rs 100. Also, the frequency of the fashion monthly offering will be changed from 10 to 12 issues a year.

The French title is owned by Les Editions Jalou Media Group, and is known for its focus on high-end fashion and luxury lifestyle. It advises women on how to dress and directly supports the retail activity of international fashion and luxury brands. The title is currently distributed in about 70 countries.

In an official communiqué, Benjamin Eymere , chief executive officer, Les Editions Jalou, says, "Since 10 years we have been step-by-step positioning our main brand L'Officiel in India. The Indian luxury market is now ready to move to the next level for the publication of L'Officiel in the country. This is why we have decided to team up with Maxposure."

Further talking about the expansion plans of the magazine, he adds, "Our international expansion strategy includes focusing on emerging markets and India, especially, has become an excellent launch pad for the region due to its rising original luxury industry and infrastructure."

The magazine will feature 45 per cent international content with full access to the group's content. There are also plans to extend the L'Officiel brand to the digital platform to enhance its brand equity. The magazine will be made available across newsstands in the country including conventional and unconventional outlets.

Talking about the new association, Prakash Johari, CEO and managing director, Maxposure Media Group, says, "The Indian apparel and beauty segments continue to post double-digit growth year on year, which makes us even more confident about L'Officiel India. Plus, let's not forget L'Officiel India as a brand has weathered the launch of several new titles in India and emerged as a product of choice for both readers as well as advertisers."

Vikas Johari, publisher, says, "We think that the time has come to push the fashion envelope even more as the Indian women evolve. We don't look at L'Officiel India as following anyone, we perceive it to herald a new era in the women's magazine segment."

For the record, Maxposure Media Group is a full service media company spread across the dimensions of publishing, creative solutions, events, custom publishing, ambient media, international representation and outsourcing. It publishes magazines such as Andpersand, Estetica, FHM, Diabetic Living, Parents India, Parents India Advice, Spiceroute, Mercedes-Benz magazine, Shubh Yatra (Air India's in-flight magazine), Fly Africa, Nissan, Smarttrucking, Milestones, Hamburg, High 5 (DLF Phase 5's magazine, DLF Promenade, Axis Bank's Homecoming, Priority Pages & Ascend; Crossing Insights, Credai Times, Young Stars, Watts up, Badhte Kadam, Citywalker (Select Citywalk mall's magazine) and Hair Say.

It also forayed into the international market with the launch of Fly Africa. Maxposure Media Group is a subsidiary of Gruner+Jahr, where the latter owns 78.25 per cent and 21.75 per cent is owned by Prakash Johari.