New Media has taken ownership of VISI, one of South Africa’s most iconic magazine brands, from Media24. The news was broken to staff 
earlier this morning. New Media, a content marketing firm, has been publishing the title on behalf of Media24 for the past 14 years.
Andrew Nunneley, Business Development Director at New Media, says that niche magazine titles have been facing tough commercial realities over the past couple of years. While VISI is highly regarded as an example of publishing excellence making it commercially viable in the current economy has been difficult. Publishing it on behalf of another company just added a layer of complexity to the business.
VISI is considered the flagship title in the New Media stable, attracting business, prestige and staff to the publisher, says Nunneley, meaning it is in New Media’s best interest to ensure the title regains sustainability.
While there was no discussion around closing down the title it was acknowledged that things had to change, says Nunneley. The Afrikaans language edition of the title was closed some time ago after facing a declining circulation. That money was reinvested in producing a thicker English edition.
VISI will be undergoing a restructuring process, details of which will only be ready for release in three or four weeks time, says Nunneley. This might well affect the size and structure of the team depending on the final decision on its future publishing strategy.
Discussions with Media24 had been ongoing for some time, and the move had been anticipated by New Media, but the deal was only recently done. Media24 had previously owned 100% of the title.
“It is a flagship title for us that we see great value in, and we are committed to making it work,” says New Media Managing Director Bridget McCarney.
VISI has won multiple MPASA Pica Awards, a Silver Assegai, a Loerie, and two Gold Ozzies, most recently taking the Ozzie Award for the ‘Best Overall Design for a consumer magazine with a circulation under 250 000’. The title is edited by Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly.
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