Publisher Steve Deluca is reporting ad revenue and paging in the Departures March/April “International Style” issue have climbed 36% and 20%, respectively. Those gains helped fuel a 22% hike in Q1 ad revenue for Departures (and publisher American Express) over 2010.
"Luxury marketers recognize DEPARTURES as the desired brand for reaching truly affluent consumers who are primed to spend on their next quality purchase,” said Deluca, and the brands prove it. New advertisers in March/April include Burberry, Paul Stuart, Thomas Pink, Michael Kors, Net-A-Porter, Blancpain and Ippolita; they join legacy advertisers Dior, Giorgio Armani, Hermes and Chanel, among others.
Luxury titles have proved—perhaps maddeningly—recession proof. Departures gained 43% in ad pages in 2011 year-over-year (YOY), and rival title Afar gained 110%, according to minOnline’s 2011 boxscore report of bimonthlies. “No matter what is going on with the economy, people are still getting married and traveling,” said minOnline. Of 22 magazines, Departures led in page difference, gaining 230 pages. Afar was second with 146. Rounding out the top five were Martha Stewart Weddings, and the less luxuriant Handguns and Weight Watchers.
Departures is a four-color glossy for American Express Platinum Card and Centuriou members, and publishes seven issues per year. Its average reader is 49, with 53% men and 47% women, and an average household income of $475,970.
The March/April issue marks celebrity stylist Amanda Ross’ first fashion portfolio after already writing her regular “Uptown Girl” column on style trends in Departures’ “Style Etc.” section and jewelry features. Other content in this issue includes a profile about Donna Karan’s philanthropic mission in Haiti and Martine Assouline, co-founder and co-publisher of Assouline Publishing, shares her insider secrets to shopping small boutiques in Paris.
