axm, one of the UK’s most widely read gay men’s lifestyle magazines, is calling on all publishers and editors to create a Gay Media Association so that issues affecting the “sector” as a whole can be addressed by a stronger, more representative body.

The move comes as the magazine celebrates a record sixty-one per cent rise in sales between June and July, thanks to the success of new distribution deals, both in the UK and across 14 countries overseas.

“We are genuinely thrilled to have achieved such successes with axm, particularly when the standard of UK gay titles is so high. We wish all other gay publications every success in taking the sector to new heights,” said James Clark, the managing editor of Blue Maverick Media which took over the title last December.

“Whilst we recognise that all magazines in the sector are competing for market share, we also believe strongly that there are many overarching areas, particularly in terms of lobbying and visibility, that the establishment of an autonomous gay media group would benefit both the sector and gay people’s interests as a whole. We therefore invite all gay media owners, publishers and editors to contribute to what we believe will be a very exciting and rewarding collective.”

axm magazine has recently undergone a significant revamp of its editorial style and positioning, in addition to expanding the advertising sales team through the appointment of both junior and senior staff members.

In addition, the successful renegotiation of a deal with WH Smiths, the UK’s largest stockist of gay titles, has meant that axm will now be sold in more branches of the retailer than ever before.

21 August, 2004