Arena overhaul won't affect plan to sell mags, says Emap

by Kate Gibbs, Media Week 30-Oct-07

Emap-owned men's lifestyle magazine Arena has undergone a major revamp to reposition itself and arrest a slide in circulation.

Emap, which is seeking bids for its consumer publishing arm, said the
investment in Arena would have no impact on deciding whether to sell or
retain its consumer mag business. The company said it intends to

continue with the sale of the entire publications division and that it

has no plans to sell parts of the unit in a bid to entice more bidders.
Recent speculation is that Emap may be forced to split its consumer arm
to meet its £700m target sale price.

Emap is reviewing its assets and five companies - Hearst, Providence,
Exponent, Cinven and Quadrangle - are believed to have submitted bids
for the consumer magazines arm.

A spokeswoman for Brunswick, which is handling the sale, said:
"Everything is proceeding as normal and the review is going well. We
have had a number of bids from trade and private equity groups."

The relaunched December issue of Arena is due out on news-stands today
(Tuesday) and has been led by new editor Giles Hattersley, formerly of
The Sunday Times. Four new sections include: Intelligence - a monthly
briefing on topics from terrorism to club hopping; Handbook - a guide to
the best buys on the market; Review - cultural topics, and Life - urban
coverage. The new edition also features the inaugural annual "40 under
40" power list.