Future Publishing appointments

Simon Maxwell appointed to new role as Group Publisher, Console and Online

19/02/10 - Future, the special-interest media group, today announces it is strengthening its games business with the introduction of two new senior roles. James Binns moves to a new position as Head of Edge International and PC Gaming and Simon Maxwell is appointed to the new role of Group Publisher, Console and Online.

Future’s UK games portfolio includes eleven monthly print titles, an expanding digital business that includes gamesradar.com, computerandvideogames.com and on-console products such as FirstPlay, plus the Games’ industry’s biggest awards event, the Golden Joystick Awards.

Effective from 1st March, both roles will report to Robert Price, Chief Executive, Future UK. James Binns moves from his role as Publishing Director, Games, to oversee the international development of Edge, as well as PC Gamer and PC Zone. Simon Maxwell moves from his role as Group Publisher for Total Film, SFX and DVD Review, to oversee official and independent console titles as well as websites computerandvideogames.com and gamesradar.com. Simon brings more than ten years publishing experience from roles with Future, IPC and Cabal Communications. He joined Future in 2004 and has gone on to shape the company’s film group into one of its most successful portfolios. Nial Ferguson, Publishing Director for Entertainment and Tech Lifestyle, will assume interim responsibility for the film portfolio while recruitment for a new Group Publisher is underway.

Future is one of the world’s leading games media companies and the new roles reflect the increasing demands and opportunities of an expanding portfolio across multiple platforms including print, online, events and on-console media. Earlier this week, Future announced the launch of FirstPlay, Europe’s first HD interactive show for gamers, available exclusively through Sony’s PlayStation®3 (PS3™) consoles.

Robert Price, Chief Executive Future UK, said:

“The introduction of two new senior roles in our games portfolio will help us to further build our position as a world-leading games media company and expand our business across print, online, events and on-console. Simon is a great fit for this new role overseeing our console and online brands: he has proven, outstanding commercial acumen and leadership skills, having led in building Future’s film portfolio into a high-profile and commercially successful business. James’ games industry expertise is second-to-none and his new role will enable him to focus on growing Edge into a truly international brand and on managing the next stage for our PC gaming portfolio.”

ENDS

About Future

Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong multi-media market positions in games, technology, film, music, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include Total Film, T3, Classic Rock, Digital Camera, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, musicradar.com, dailyradar.com and photoradar.com. Future produces nearly 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 27 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 27 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.

For more information

Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, Future UK, 01225 822517

Victoria Bacon, Head of Group Communications, Future Plc, 020 7042 4033