MyHobbyStore News for 2011
April 18th, 2011
MyHobbyStore Group has announced it has appointed mail order fulfilment specialists, Templar Marketing Services (TMS) to manage the order, fulfilment and distribution for all products ordered from its two direct-to-public mail order websites - MyHobbyStore.co.uk and MyCraftStore.com
Says Owen Davies, Chief Executive, MyHobbyStore Group: "MyHobbyStore is delighted to be partnering with TMS. The company is a well established fulfillment operator and we are impressed by its levels of service, professionalism and attention to detail. TMS's values match ours. Together, our aim is to provide the customers who buy from our leading hobby and craft websites, MyHobbyStore and MyCraftStore, with first class customer service."
Says Matthew Rogers, CEO, Templar Marketing Services "The TMS warehouse is in a prime geographical location and works exceptionally well as a key "goods in" and product distribution hub for all our clients," continues Rogers, "So servicing this contract from the same site will ensure MyHobbyStore Group customers can also benefit from an established and experienced fulfilment and dispatch operation."
January 26th, 2011
MyHobbyStore and the National Magazine Company, Hearst's principal business in the UK, are proud to announce an e-commerce partnership.
NatMag is one of the UK’s leading media companies with over 20 brand platforms reaching more than 20 million adults every year. The NatMag portfolio includes world famous brands such as women’s glossy Cosmopolitan, men's lifestyle leader Men’s Health, Good Housekeeping, luxury fashion bible Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire.
The partnership involves products more than 300 from MyHobbyStore’s craft website, MyCraftStore.com, being featured and sold through NatMag's e-commerce website allaboutyou.com, the online home of SHE, Good Housekeeping, Prima, Coast, Country Living and House Beautiful. As part of the agreement, NatMag will provide marketing support through their magazine portfolio while MyHobbyStore provides the range management and fulfillment.
October 29th, 2010
The deal sees MyHobbyStore acquire the brand – currently published within the IPC Inspire portfolio – with immediate effect. There will be no interruption to the publishing schedule of the title.
Published since 1956, Hi-Fi News continues to deliver all the latest news, analysis and opinions on new technologies, products and formats from hi-fi to home entertainment. Hi-Fi News is packed with market-leading photography, top contributors and trusted product tests all reflecting the passion and knowledge real sound enthusiasts aspire to have.
IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “MyHobbyStore, with its passion for hobby brands, is the perfect new home for Hi-Fi News. As Hi-Fi News joins Stamp Magazine and Model Collector at MyHobbyStore I’d like to thank the team for all of their hard work, particularly over the course of the review process and acquisition negotiations. They have done a fantastic job and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
MyHobbyStore CEO Owen Davies adds: “Hi-Fi News is an outstanding magazine written for enthusiasts by enthusiasts. We are delighted to welcome the highly dedicated and experienced team to join our growing number of specialist titles.’’
Staff transfer to MyHobbyStore with immediate effect.
October 8th, 2010
Model Collector, the UK's best-selling die-cast title, offers the avid collector all the essential knowledge to get the most out of their hobby. Accessible, informative and entertaining, Stamp Magazine offers essential information on all aspects of stamp collecting. It features news from the world of philately, auctions and exhibitions and the latest issues and valuable errors as well as readers showcasing their collections.
The deal sees MyHobbyStore acquire the brands – currently published within the IPC Inspire portfolio – with immediate effect. There will be no interruption to the publishing schedule of either title.
MyHobbyStore publishes some of the best known specialist hobby magazines in the UK, including popular titles such as RCM&E, Model Engineer, Model Boats and Good Woodworking.
IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams says: “MyHobbyStore is a publisher which is passionate about hobbies: the perfect new home for Model Collector and Stamp Magazine. My personal thanks go to both teams for all of their hard work, particularly over the course of the strategic review and acquisition negotiations. They have done a fantastic job and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
MyHobbyStore CEO Owen Davies adds: “Stamp and Model Collector are wonderful additions to our growing portfolio of special interest hobby magazines. Our plan is to grow these sectors by developing online communities and e-commerce opportunities on our leading edge technology platform.”
My Hobbystore partners with Jellyfish
August 20th, 2010
MyHobbyStore is pleased to announce a partnership with Jellyfish, the UK's leading agency dedicated to paid search.
Based in London and New York and established in 1999, Jellyfish has delivered award winning paid search campaigns for many leading brands and magazine publishers.
The partnership will develop subscriptions to MyHobbyStore's popular gardening magazine, More From Your Garden.
August 9th, 2010
MyHobbyStore is pleased to announce the opening of its U.S. office based in Florida. The full office details are:
My Hobby Store LLC
14004 Roosevelt Blvd
Suite 601H
Clearwater
FL 33762
Phone: +1 (727) 608 4375
The new MyHobbyStore U.S. retail site is scheduled to launch on the 12th August.
My Hobbystore winner of Media Pioneers for ecommerce business
June 3rd, 2010
The Media Pioneer awards have been set up by the Specialist Media Show, in association with InPublishing, to recognise innovative and entrepreneurial activity by specialist media owners, and inspire other print and digital publishers, and event organisers. Fifteen nominations were featured on the show website, and the four overall winners included MyHobbyStore. The award was collected by Kate Barrett from MyHobbyStore on behalf of the team.
MyHobbyStore acquires Trucks ‘n’ Tracks Show
May 6th, 2010
Specialist media business, MyHobbyStore has acquired Trucks ‘n’ Tracks, the military vehicle show held annually at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone.
Trucks ‘n’ Tracks has been one of Europe’s premier events for the military vehicle modellers since it launched in 1994; the event ties in perfectly with MyHobbyStores portfolio of specialist events.
Trevor Claringbold, owner and organiser of the event since it was launched said: “MyHobbyStore are genuinely excited about taking on the event, and have already begun working on plans to grow and enhance Trucks ‘n’ Tracks. They will build on the solid foundations already laid in recent years, and will make full use of their additional marketing and promotional power. That can only benefit all concerned, and will be especially good news for traders at the show.”
Owen Davies, CEO of MyHobbyStore said: “As publishers of Military Modelling magazine, and organisers of the annual EuroMiliatire Show in Folkestone, we are excited about owning Trucks ‘n’ Tracks, the premier military vehicle show Europe.
MyHobbyStore recycles magazines in charity jewellery project
April 28th, 2010
Specialist publisher MyHobbyStore has partnered with a Filipino charity to turn unsold magazine copies into a range of ethical recycled jewellery.
The company has donated copies of its hobby and special interest titles to the Philippine Community Fund (PCF), which transforms glossy magazines and leaflets into beads used to make necklaces, pendants, bracelets and earrings.
MyHobbyStore has purchased finished jewellery items for resale on its e-commerce site, My Craft Store, with items priced between £2.50 and £7.50. The jewellery project is one of several run by PCF that use waste materials to generate income for Filipino families affected by poverty. Magazine donations mean workers, including children, do not need to scour rubbish dumps for raw materials.
Owen Davies, chief executive of MyHobbyStore, said he got in touch with the charity’s chief executive, Jane Walker, after hearing about the work which earned her an MBE in 2008.
He said the project was a worthwhile cause that complemented the company’s publishing activities. “From our point of view, we’re being green and recycling our magazines, helping a charity and selling goods back on our own e-commerce store,” he said.
Davies added that PCF were using funds from the scheme to open a school made from recycled shipping containers in June 2010, providing an education programme for 500 students.
Although in its early stages, Davies said he was interested in working with magazine wholesalers and distributors to expand the jewellery project further. For more details on the recycled magazine jewellery, visit MyCraftStore.
For more information on The Philippene Community Fund you can visit their website here.
RCME contributor flies world's largest electric model aircraft during airspace lockdown
April 21st, 2010
An article in the Daily Mail featured RCME contributor Tony Nijhuis. The giant model plane, built by Tony, was one of the few aircraft to head up into UK skies during the six-day airspace lock-down caused by the Icelandic volcano.
The Boeing B-50 bomber is so big it holds the title as the world's largest electric model aircraft, It is classified as a light aircraft and is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority. It has a 20ft wingspan and weighs just over seven stones.
The Maggies: Magazine Cover Award 2010
April 19th, 2010
The voting opens in May 2010 for The annual ‘Maggies’ Cover awards, visit: www.themaggies.co.uk.
This year, we have entered 5 of our popular titles; Gardens Monthly, Model Boats, Military Modelling, Popular Crafts and Popular Patchwork.
The Maggies is a national poll to celebrate and award the best magazine covers of the past year. The annual awards are a high profile competition, voted for by the general public, and supported by the UK's magazine association, PPA.
It is completely free to vote, so when May comes around, please forward the above link to everyone you know to vote for us and make us winners!!
The One Show’s Christine Bleakley has water-skied across the Channel pulled by RCM&E sponsored boat.
March 10th, 2010
Christine Bleakley, co-presenter of BBC One's The One Show with Adrian Chiles, has just crossed the English Channel on water skis, towed by Mario Biancacci in the RCM&E sponsored support boat. Christine was raising money for Sports Relief. Congratulations Christine!
For photos and the full blog report you can visit The One Show's website here.
Popular Crafts Magazine is back!
February 23rd, 2010
The well-loved magazine makes its return in 2010.
Popular Crafts magazine is relaunched on 3rd March 2010 by MyHobbyStore Limited. The magazine had previously
developed a reputation in the previous decade for being a high quality multi-craft publication, until it was closed by its then publishing house- in late 2005.
Since then, the title has been acquired by MyHobbyStore, who are known for titles such as Popular Patchwork and The Woodworker.
The new look Popular Crafts is featuring a new craft area each issue, beginning with cardmaking in issue one. Further titles for the rest of 2010 will be released bi-monthly, featuring needlecrafts, papercrafts, jewellery making and painting techniques.
The magazine is supported by the website www.popularcrafts.com, launched in January 2010. The website features craft content, but also regular competitions and forum to promote regular use.
If you would like further information on Popular Crafts magazine, please visit the Popular Crafts website or contact the editor- Kerry Wilkinson (Contact page) - to arrange an interview or discuss further.
MyHobbyStore wins Media Pioneer award!
January 29th, 2010
MyHobbyStore has received a Media Pioneer Award from the Specialist Media Network. More details from their website:
Who’s won? MyHobbyStore, originally publishers of modelling, woodworking and crafts magazines, now online retailers and event organisers for hobbyists.
And why? Hobbyist products have often been hard to find and there are many fragmented suppliers. Through publishing magazines, MyHobbystore learnt about what editorial content inspires a purchase and also how to source products. Hobbyist consumers are highly engaged in their activities and contribute to magazines, online communities and live events.
These skills have enabled MyHobbystore to create an ecommerce business, supplying thousands of products from multiple suppliers. The magazines create the interest and direct the readers to the store. There is a strong focus on customer service, with a dedicated in-house team. Online ecommerce revenues are up by 75% year on year, and make up 80% of all online revenues, with a growing international business.
MyHobbystore are also developing online communities and offering subscription-based content, including an online TV channel, competitions and digital editions of the magazines. The communities contribute comments and photo albums to the sites.
Owen Davies, CEO says, “We know that content from our magazines drives ecommerce revenue. We have changed the culture of the business from the top down and developed new skills in retail sourcing and merchandising.”
MyHobbyStore partners Leonardo program
January 19th, 2010
MyHobbyStore are now official partners of the The Leonardo Da Vinci Program, a European Commission initiative which provides funds for students.
The Leonardo intern scheme contributes to improving the quality of professional training which helps to prepare young workers for the technological and industrial changes which the labour market faces.
For more details of our intern programme, or to apply, please contact Lorna Killick (lorna.killick@myhobbystore.com).
Popular Crafts website launched
January 8th, 2010
Our latest website www.popularcrafts.com has been launched and looks fantastic. Nikki Coffey and her team, Julie, Chris and Sara Baldwin-Cole have created an impressive site and it has been a tremendous team effort. Kate Barratt has begun the marketing of the new site and Daniel Webb and his team are now uploading hundreds of new crafts products on to www.mycraftstore.com.
It is a great achievement for all involved in bringing the well regarded Popular Crafts brand back to life again.
You can download a copy of the Popular Crafts Media Pack here.
