Association of Indian Magazines launched

To address the need for a unified representation of the magazine industry, The Association of Indian Magazines (AIM), India's first industry representation for magazines, was launched yesterday. The founding members of the body include The Ananda Viketan Group, Business India Group, Chitralekha Group, Cybermedia Group, Delhi Press, India Today Group, Meri Saheli Group and the Outlook Group.

Here is how some of the members of the association have been assigned their respective roles. Paresh Nath of Delhi Press Patra Prakshan is the president of the AIM, while Mohini Bhullar of India Today Group has been nominated the vice-president. Maheshwar Peri of Outlook is the secretary and Bharat Kapadia of Chitralekha is treasurer of AIM.

With magazines making up 40 per cent of the total circulation of all print media at 18.5 million copies, and 48 per cent of a total readership of 86.2 million in India, AIM intends to be a ‘reliable' resource of information on magazines in the country. The association will lobby not only for the common interest of publishers, it will also collaborate extensively with the advertising fraternity to build their faith in magazines as a medium of strategic importance.

Talking about the motto of AIM, Nath, president, AIM, says, "The Association of Indian Magazines has been launched to support and defend the freedom of the press and promote the cause of magazine reading." He adds, "Our effort is to consolidate the industry as a group, rather than splinter it further. This consolidation will take care of the industry's interests more vigorously and with greater force. In addition, AIM will represent the magazine publishers' interests in the country and will help revitalise the magazine industry editorially and economically."

Some of the objectives listed in AIM's 'Memorandum of Association' include establishing better understanding, cooperation and unity among all magazine publishers; ensuring development of magazines devoted to science, art, culture, women, literature, children, fashion, politics, administration, entertainment, and various other subjects.

AIM will also assist the members of the association in settling their disputes inter-se or with others arising out of commercial transactions and to set up panels of arbitrators and conduct readership surveys either itself or through suitable agencies. The association also intends to get itself registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, of the Income Tax Act 1961, and other law whenever required.

The executive members of the governing body include Pradeep Gupta of Cyber Media (India), Pheroza Bilimoria of Business India publication, Rajiv Pahwa of Pioneer Book Co, and Srinivasan B of Vasan Publication. Ravi Shankar Prasad, minister of I&B, inaugurated the Association and the chief guest for the function was Donald Kummerfeld, president, International Federation of Periodical Press (IFPP). © 2003 agencyfaqs!