Written by John Drinnan

New Zealand magazine publishers are expecting more growth next year, according to a study released today by the Magazine Publishers Association and recruitment consultant Aquent.

The survey of 33 publishers representing 85% of magazine employers is based on the respondents’ replies, not on any auditable statistics.

It found 90% of bigger companies with revenue of more than $4 million expect their revenues to rise over the next 12 months.

Ten per cent said there would be no change: none predicted a decrease.

Of the smaller magazine companies with revenue of less than $4 million, 68% thought there would be an increase, 27% no change and 5% a decrease. Half the bigger publishers and 60% of the smaller ones expected staff turnover of less than 10%.

The Aquent survey suggests a big increase in hiring activity next year, with 70% of over $4 million companies expecting increased permanent numbers and 30% no change.

The upbeat feeling is less prevalent for smaller companies, with at least 39% expecting increased permanent numbers, 57% no change and 4% fewer permanent staff.

Of the surveyed companies, about 11% of the big ones and 13% of the little ones predicted salary increases next year of 8% or more.

Six per cent of small companies and 1% of big companies expected a salary rise of 6-7% while 78% of big companies and 44% of small ones expected an increase of 1-3%.