News Ltd’s Notebook Magazine set to close
News Ltd is set to close its female focused title Notebook Magazine, Mumbrella understands.
The 35-59 female-focused title had a circulation of 70,188 at the last set of ABC results, which was a drop of 4% on the previous year.
Editor Caroline Roessler described the magazine as “both inspirational and aspirational, providing everyday solutions for women’s busy lives and insights centred around thought-provoking, intelligent and compassionate journalism.”
At the time of posting nobody from News Magazines was available to comment.
October 1 update: News Ltd has officially confirmed Notebook’s closure. It issued a statement saying:
News Magazines announced today that the last issue of Notebook magazine will go on sale in October.
Notebook magazine was launched in 2005 by Federal Publishing Company (FPC) and was acquired by News Limited as part of its purchase of FPC in 2007.
News Magazines’ chief executive officer Sandra Hook says: “Closing a title is never an easy decision. The staff has worked extremely diligently in a very competitive environment and I want to acknowledge the loyalty of Notebook’s readers and advertisers.”
“The closure of Notebook will allow us to devote more energy to our core food, home and fashion titles, our market leading digital properties taste.com.au and vogue.com.au and other investment areas including digital applications that are being developed,” said Ms Hook.
News Magazines has found positions for a number of staff but some redundancies are anticipated.
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With a circulation of 70,000 — that is quite a lot — surely there is a way to keep it open.
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Oh, that is such a shame. I LOVE Notebook for all the gorgeous pics and fabulous articles. I was just about to subscribe too! It was different to the other mags.
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Goodbye Notebook – I have been a subscriber from the start. I hope we don’t see yet another celebrity gossip mag on the shelves in its place.
You will be missed Notebook. My collection is now invaluable.
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I’m sad for the team as they are the nicest bunch of journos. Us PR’s will miss them!
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That is a real pity – it was a feminine mag that was different to the rest. I am sure there are going ot be a lot of people who will miss it.
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Michael McHugh will be on the phone to News trying to buy that bad girl.
To not make money when you sell 70,000 copies of a magazine is a very special skill. Add (say) $250k an issue in ad sales as a minimum and you have a business with a $5-$7M turnover.
For this not to be profitable is either an indictment on News magazines management or they have something bigger and better to replace it with.
Gourmet Traveller does about 70,000 copies. Does that mean it’s in trouble as well?
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Do we know when the last issue goes to newstands?
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I am so mad about this- Notebook although it had it’s ups and downs really filled a niche for women who had absolutely no publications for them- if you’re not into interiors, don’t wear harem pants, don’t obsess over diet and fitness and don’t feed off of celebrity gossip you now have nothing left.
A very big shame.
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Nice mag but it was a bit all over the place.
Shame they’re shutting it – 70,000 is a decent circ.
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I have seen so many of Australia’s best magazines for women close – like HQ, which was the best women’s magazine I’ve come across – and it’s a shame to not try to keep the more niche magazines alive in a completely celebrity-saturated women’s magazine marketplace. Not all of us are interested in reading about celebrities.
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Maybe all you media buyers should be putting ads in them then?
Just sayin….
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Is that right? The magazine was aimed at a frighteningly narrow age group: 35-39?
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Target demographic was 35-59 according to the News Limited page for the magazine.
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It’s so lovely to hear such nice things here for a change!
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Hi Scott,
That was my typo – it would indeed have been a narrow demographic.
Cheers
Tim – Mumbrella
Agree with Amelia.
That is a real shame. This mag was filled with reality. No bullshit celebs, fad diets and wank.
I do hope someone else picks it up and keeps it going – without too many additional advertisements to spoil it.
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News Ltd PLEASE don’t close Notebook – it is my favourite magazine
I am a subscriber and I also bought a subscription for my best friend… I will buy one for ever one of my friends if it helps you keep (not that I have enough friends to make it worthwhile but maybe if every reader buys a friend a subscription). I hope they tell their readers in the actual magazine instead of just stopping the presses
It is such a fabulous magazine which great, real content.
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The reaction from the mostly female publicity department at work – ‘did you hear they’re closing Notebook? i know it’s daggy but i loved that mag’ on no less than three occasions.
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Anyone seen Matt Handbury around?
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This is a real shame indeed.
It’s a great magazine with a real difference to the others on the shelves.
Maybe I should have brought it more often. Was even tossing up to subscribe.
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One of those mags where the readership was particularly loyal – its absence will open up a niche that hopefully another publisher will fill.
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I guess all of you notebook readers will have to read “Frankie” instead. Another womens magazine with interesting articles…
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I am SO devvo to hear this – Notebook: is the only magazine I buy every month, and I love it because it’s not full of alleged celebrities and all of their ridiculous antics.
News Ltd – PLEASE don’t axe it.
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Boo hoo – plese say it isn’t so – it’s actually a really good magazine!! Please keep Notebook magazine…pretty please..
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How sad! I loved notebook, there is nothing out there like it.
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So so sad to hear Notebook: will be no more. We are massive fans of the publication – say it isn’t so!
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I think the magazine just lost it’s way a bit. Originally when I first saw it, I thought it was a magazine for grandam’s and people over 59 because it just presented a bit like that When I brought it once though I enjoyed the content but not loving it heaps to want to buy it again, I just think it didn’t really have a full purpose or way with the magazine. But all the best to the staff there and hope they all go onto bigger and better things.
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GOSH. Why do people CARE so much for this magazine? It is absolute GARBAGE.
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@Whatever, if you think it is GARBAGE
a. Why are you commenting?
b. Why did you read the post?
c. Why do you read this website then?
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I’m sad to see Notebook close because it’s a blow to diversity, but having said that I always felt it was a bit “hard to read” because of the overly-complicated layout and general set up of the magazine. As someone who loves reading decent, well-researched articles, I felt the content was let down quite a bit by the overall presentation of Notebook. Rather than shutting it down, a revamp would have done wonders and helped it penetrate its target demographic much more strongly. Shame; now that demographic has little more than trash mags to service it.
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Oh such a shame to hear this and quite agree it fills a niche but large enough market (what are they thinking?) and there really isn’t much available on Aussie shelves that isn’t complete celeb nonsense.
Maybe they can do an online version like Domino magazine? I suppose so much is free online these days but nothing beats reading from the actual physical page!
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Um, why did my comment disappear???
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I fell in love with Notebook when it launched. The concept was fantastic and they implemented it well for the first couple of years though I didn’t like the introduction of models on the cover.
It filled a gap for those of us who’d outgrown first Dolly then Cleo and Cosmo, who’d bought every issue of HQ and were devastated when it closed, and who had no intention of becoming a mumsy AWW or New Idea reader, nor spending our hard-earned cash on frothy gossip mags or glossy fashion and beauty bibles. Notebook provided information we needed in a format we loved. I have two book boxes full of back issues and will now treasure them even more. If News Ltd offered it as an iPad app a la PressReader or Zinio I would buy every back issue. Best of luck to staff, be proud of what you achieved and the happiness you inspired in your audience.
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I am so soooo upset about these breaking news.
Notebook: has been my best friend since the launch in 2005 and I understand that I have alot of Notebook: fans out there that feel exactly the same. It offers something completely different and I have not found anything like it in either Australia, Sweden or the UK which are the three countries I fly between. I take pride and pleasure in having it sent to whatever corner of the world I am in. I shed a tear at these news but I will not give up without a fight!
Notebook: staff, you do such a BRILLIANT job.
Lena
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Oh… And I think the marketing group is a bit off target. I was 24 when I started reading it and am only 29 at the time of the writing.
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I absolutely LOVE Notebook magazine and read it religously until I moved to the UK, when I’m home visiting family, I always read back issues that my sister has kept for me. Seriously my favourite magazine!!!!!!! There isn’t anything like it at all.
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How disappointing! I always look forward to reading Notebook, it is my favourite magazine.
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Still waiting to hear what News Ltd are offering those of us that bought advertising in the Christmas issue. Come on people, there are plenty of other publishers wanting our money…
All the best to the sales staff that have worked on the magazine for the five years since inception. x
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The fat cats are probably too interested in their’s bonuses than keeping the magazine afloat. Astounding decision – I loved that mag!
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After reading all the comments on your website, I felt i had to add mine also. i too am very sad to hear Notebook will not be published anymore. I have also subscribed for many years and have bought gift subscriptions for family and friends. I will especially miss the heart warming stories of courage and adversity many women have had to go through and it has helped me also dealing with personal problems , reading it has lifted my spirits many times . There is nothing out there that comes close and I feel like i’m losing a dear friend. …I wish you would reconsider …. Good luck to all the staff, it has been a credit to you to produce such a wonderful magazine.
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I am in a state of shock…. upset… sad (nearly crying)… pissed off…. annoyed at those trash mags out there…. I just want to scream… Finally a magazine WORTH buying and KEEPING for that matter – just look at all the women who have the WHOLE COLLECTION… I bet no-one out there has all the issues of ‘TRASH CENTRAL’….. ggggrrrrrrrr………………
Amelia # Amelia
30 Sep 10
4:07 pm
YOU GIRL – HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD…..
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Notebook was the only Magazine I read. It was the only one worth reading. I can’t believe it has been taken off the shelves so more time and attention is paid to the mediocre and obviously cheaper product that is being dished up. I had introduced many friends who don’t buy magazines to Notebook. There are many of us who do not enjoy a ‘digital read’ and Notebook delivered an artistic, satisfying experience. It is one I will sorely miss.
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