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Anthem magazine founded
Anthem was established in autumn 2002 by Jon Bickley, Simon Lewis and Paul Pettengale who were three former senior managers at Future Publishing. The aim was to create a broad-based publisher of market-leading magazines. -
The first magazine
In March 2003 the company launched its first magazine – MusicTech – bringing together for the first time both the computer software and traditional hardware elements of music recording and production. MusicTech immediately struck a chord and was soon established in the top two titles in the sector – nudging aside established competition. -
Italy
In 2004 Anthem branched out to launch Italia! – a property and travel magazine that caught the mood of the ‘Place in the Sun’ moment. Against the established ‘Italy’ magazine and a counter-launch from the leading overseas property publisher at the time, Italia! fast became the best selling title in the sector. As tougher times arrived with the recession, the competition fell by the wayside, but Italia! is still going strong and has celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. -
Branching out
Anthem established MusicTech brand extension MusicTech Focus, and expanded its Italian presence with the football title Calcio Italia and food magazine Taste Italia. The company also began experimenting with bookazines, publishing specials on George Best, Bobby Moore and the football World Cup – still publishing World Cup Superstars today, with the 2014 edition being the best seller yet. This period also saw the finding of the company’s biggest and most important website – musictechmag.co.uk -
The next step
In 2010 Anthem made its next step with the purchase of Guitar & Bass Magazine from IPC. This long sought after marriage solidified the company’s position in the music-making market, positioning Anthem as the leading independent music-making publisher. The new magazine rapidly led to expansion in the music market with Guitar & Bass Classics, Vintage Rock and Classic Pop all launching over the subsequent two years, making Anthem the only UK company to publish music-making and listening magazines. -
High demand for cupcakes
In 2011 Anthem skipped an issue of Taste Italia Collection, and instead launched Cupcake Heaven as a one-shot. Success was instantaneous and they re-printed the first issue to meet the demands of WH Smiths and the supermarkets. Sensing greater things, they rolled out Baking Heaven and then Cake Decoration Heaven – and by the end of 2012 we had a monthly series of baking titles that is now the best selling magazine in its sector and fastest growing food magazine in the UK. -
Fine tuning the image
2013 saw the launch of World of Food which has now morphed into Free-From Heaven – the UK’s only free-from monthly, and also upcycling magazine Reloved. Anthem is now clearly defined as covering two principle markets – Music and Food & Craft. -
Where are they now?
Anthem is the only publisher of music and listening music magazines, they are the fastest growing food magazine publisher and the UK’s fastest growing magazine publisher. -
Aims and goals
There aim is to adapt and continue to stay true to our editorial mission in this constantly changing environment, it’s more important than ever to stand our ground and pursue the aspirational aims we have always striven for, regardless of the medium. Their goal is to continue to distinguish objective journalism that is firmly embedded with a unique voice of its own that revolves around the cultural icons and happenings we respect, identify ourselves through, and draw inspiration from.