Publisher cuts Marie Claire down to size

It isn't just models that have to worry about size. As of September, fashion magazine, marie claire, is set for a trim.

The new format takes on a square 'book' shape and is sized at 213mm by 269mm compared to the current version which is 220mm by 297mm.

Overseas volumes of marie claire follow this format and according to publisher and editor, Jackie Frank, it was time for Australia to follow suit. Frank (pictured below) says that she was motivated to make the change by the French and British editions of the title, which adopted the squarer format some years ago.

Frank hopes that this will give marie claire an advantage over other titles. "I went into a newsagent and all the magazines looked homogenised. They're all one size and it had become wallpaper," she said.

"I thought it was time for us ... to take the lead and distinguish ourselves from our competitors."

Nick Chan, CEO of Pacific Magazines, which publishes the title, believes the changes will help strengthen both marie claire's reputation and advertising.

"Innovation is essential to keep the magazine market dynamic and it is what today's consumer's expect," he said.