(Source: MediaWeek)

Hachette Filipacchi has created a new group to house its upscale shelter titles, Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home.  Deborah Burns, formerly publisher of Metropolitan Home, will head the new Luxury Design Group as senior vice president.

Burns said the move was intended to grow share of the combined titles, which currently have about 40% overlap in advertisers.  "We have the top two niche luxury magazines, and presenting that with the scale of the combined reach is very compelling," said Burns.

Hachette's parent Lagardiere Active recently expanded in the luxury decorating space with the purchase of the Massin Group, a French publisher of décor titles.

(Posted 28.7.08)