Hachette Filipacchi Magazines Launches ELLEgirl

Posted on August 29, 2001

Hachette Filipacchi Magazines, publisher of ELLE, a fashion magazine published in 35 countries, announced the debut of ELLEgirl, a new teen title dedicated to fashion and beauty geared for older teenage girls, ages 14-17 that is now available on nationwide newsstands today.

ELLEgirl's debut 2001 ``Back to School'' issue, with a rate base of 300,000, will be distributed to more than 50,000 newsstands in the U.S. and to approximately 70 countries worldwide. The magazine's cover price is $2.95 and four issues are planned for 2002. Separate European and Asian editions will follow the U.S. title's launch, including the U.K. launch of ELLEgirl in September. The ELLEgirl brand is launching first in the U.S. followed by a launch in the U.K. in September and other counties next year.

``With the growth rate for teens expected to outpace every other population group in the United States in the coming years, and teen spending to exceed $155 billion on fashion, music and other teen necessities annually, we are extending the global success of ELLE brand into the exploding teenage audience with the launch of ELLEgirl,'' said Jack Kliger, president and CEO of Hachette Filipacchi Magazines.

``Much like ELLE does for women, ELLEgirl will provide teens with a visually sophisticated and fun approach to fashion and beauty that celebrates an independent attitude with an international flair,'' said Brandon Holley, ELLEgirl's editor-in-chief. ``Reflecting the diversity among the teen population, ELLEgirl embraces all standards of beauty integrated with a full spectrum of fashion: an information super runway for the most diverse, global and brand-savvy teen market in history.''

The ELLEgirl brand launched its website, ellegirl.com, prior to the launch of the print product and has incorporated user feedback from the site into the first edition of the magazine. The site has also served as the primary marketing tool in driving subscriptions. The release of the ELLEgirl theme song, written and performed by singer/song-writer Michelle Lewis will debut on ellegirl.com in late August. An animated music video to compliment this original song will appear on the site in September.

``We are targeting the girl who's not getting what she wants from the magazines out there -- the older teen, 14 and up, who looks to the adult world in terms of both tastes and interests. It is an incredibly underserved niche that is sophisticated and deep,'' said Linda Mason, vice president and publisher.