Newcombe returns to IPC as SouthBank restructures

by Claire Billings,, Brand Republic 12-Sep-03, 11:00

LONDON - Jackie Newcombe has left Associated Newspapers to rejoin IPC Media and takes up the publishing director post on flagship glossy Marie Claire, as part of a shake-up at the women's and lifestyle division of the AOL Time Warner-owned publisher.

Newcombe is the former launch publishing director of celebrity weekly Now. She launched Now in 1996, but left in 1999 after 10 years at the company to work in contract publishing.

She had a spell first at Premier Media, which she left in 2000 to join Associated Newspapers' now-closed Cube3 contract publishing arm.

Sandy Whetton, managing director of IPC SouthBank, said: "I am delighted to be welcoming Jackie back to IPC. I worked with her for a number of years and she brings with her dynamism and a superb business acumen that can only strengthen SouthBank's already heavyweight publishing team."

The overhaul also sees Marie Claire's business manager Caroline Evans move over to become associate publisher of the division's home interest and women's lifestyle magazine including Living Etc.

On IPC's other women's glossy, In Style, Katy Egan has been promoted to publishing director from publisher.

Linda Swidenbank, publisher of Woman & Home, Esssentials and Family Circle, and Kirsten Lee, publisher of 19, Practical Parenting, Wedding & Home and Hair, also become publishing directors of their respective magazines.

The overhaul at IPC SouthBank was instigated by Whetton, who took over the division in December from Tim Brooks, who moved to men's and music arm Ignite! at the same time.

Other appointments in the division include Amy Culligan to publisher of the Home Interest portfolio, while business manager Vicky Cairns becomes associate publisher for the special interest titles.

Whetton has also made a series of marketing changes, including promoting Helen Mason to head of marketing for home interest, and Claire Matthews to head of marketing for fashion.

Clare Jackson, senior marketing manager for women's lifestyle, expands her role to become head of marketing for women's lifestyle and special interest, as well as becoming SouthBank's representative on IPC's executive marketing team.

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