Former FHM editor Mike Soutar is set to become the editorial director of media giant IPC, a new post to oversee the company’s new titles. After overseeing the rise of FHM’s readership from 50,000 to 500,000 at EMAP, Soutar joined rival IPC to head up its music and lifestyle titles Loaded, NME, Muzik and Uncut. When Wallpaper was bought up by IPC last year this was added to Soutar’s mini-empire.
Now Soutar will lead IPC's magazine development and launch programmes, overseeing new project teams from first idea to launch, and working closely with senior editors on editorial strategy across the company.
Announcing the appointment IPC said the new post was created as part of the company’s development since it’s takeover by AOL Time Warner. "We are focused on building our position as a creative and innovative media business, and a key part of this will be a significant new magazine development and launch programme," chief executive Sly Bailey said.
Soutar added: "I'm thrilled and honoured to be taking on the role of editorial director. IPC has the best magazines and editors in the business and I want us to add to our award-winning portfolio by launching more brilliant, breakthrough, famous new magazines."
Tim Brooks, currently MD of IPC’s women lifestyle titles, will take over the music and lifestyle division.