Jobs could go in Emap consumer restructure

The restructure follows an efficiency review conducted by Boston
Consulting Group, first revealed in Media Week (7-14 November 2006). It
is understood that a steering group chaired by Paul Keenan, chief
executive of Emap Consumer Media, has adapted Boston Consulting Group's
broad proposals, applying internal knowledge of Emap's businesses and
markets.

Two weeks ago, Emap issued a profit warning and an update on the review,
stating that the radio, magazines and B2B divisions had undergone
detailed assessments with the aim of generating cost savings in excess
of £20m a year over the next two years, with one-off costs of the
restructure estimated at £30m plus £10m for new systems and
buildings. The latter note suggests there may be staff relocations.

The first casualty of the review is David Pullan, strategic brand and
marketing director, who was tasked with creating a consumer-focused
brand proposition for Emap's key multimedia brands. Tipped as a future
chief executive of the group after joining from Five three years ago, it
is believed that Pullan was offered a purely marketing role in the new
structure, which he declined, and he will leave the company this
week.

Following last week's release of ABC figures for the second half of
2006, a number of poorly performing magazines face an uncertain future.
While celebrity weeklies such as Closer, Grazia and Heat continue to
fare well, there were double-digit percentage year-on-year sales
declines for, among others, Arena, Q, FHM, Zoo, Maxpower, Car, Garden
Answers, Golf World and Today's Golfer.

Questions are also being raised about Emap's radio assets, which were
largely blamed for the profit warning.

Moloney has been opposed to a radio sell-off, however, his future has
been in doubt since the arrival in July last year of chairman Alun
Cathcart, who is said to be a more aggressive proponent of shareholders'
interests.