IFG to appoint Manning Gottlieb for Project Jack launch strategy

range of magazines.

IFG is gearing up for the launch of a men's title, which is being

prepared under the name Project Jack. Manning Gottlieb will work on the

launch and also focus on IFG's Viz title.

The agency will also handle media for IFG's Fortean Times and Bizarre

titles. IFG recently sold its film title Hotdog to Paragon

Publishing.

TBWA/London created a launch campaign for Hotdog on a project basis. It

is not known what creative arrangements IFG is making for the launch of

Project Jack.

Project Jack is scheduled to launch this year as a magazine for mature

men who read broadsheets and business. Preparations for its launch come

as the recent ABC results show that the men's magazine sector is

experiencing a tough time. Later, IPC Media's title for men older than

the Loaded generation, was forced to fold.

The media strategy director at Manning Gottlieb, Ben Hayes, said: "The

big thing at the moment is making Viz a massive success and working on

the launch of Project Jack."

IFG expanded last May when it acquired Viz, Bizarre and Fortean Times

from John Brown Publishing for £6.4 million. However, it sold

Hotdog, which failed to make an impression in the film market and in the

past year suffered a fall in circulation to 21,570.

James Brown was unavailable for comment as Campaign went to press.