'GQ' arrives in India

Media News

Mumbai, September 30, 2008

After making headlines world over, the leading source for all things men—fashion, technology, entertainment, sports, food, travel, girls and luxury – GQ will launch its Indian edition on the 29th of September. GQ India will be the 15th edition of the luxury lifestyle male magazine. With a print run of 35,000 copies and priced at Rs 100, GQ India will be a monthly with October as its launch issue and available across 40 towns.

Says Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director, Condè Nast India, “I am very excited to be leading Condé Nast’s second iconic title launch into India. Across every industry, the Indian man is more powerful than ever, driving growth and prosperity, and attracting the world’s most prestigious brands. With a disposable income of US$100,000 a year, the GQ India man is affluent, evolved, sophisticated and  knows he’s a trendsetter—and enjoys  being ahead of the curve. It’s time he gets a magazine he deserves.”

First published in the USA in 1957, GQ has led the men’s lifestyle magazine market for over half a century. Urbane, upscale, occasionally irreverent and always stylish, GQ is known for the highest standards in feature writing and photography, winning innumerable awards the world over. And its status as a byword for men’s style is unparalleled.

Adds Che Kurrien, Editor, GQ India, “GQ’s outstanding editorial appeals directly to the country’s wealthiest, most fashion-conscious men who have a passion for the finer things life has to offer. The new Indian man is earning and spending like never before, driving consumption in Asia’s third-largest economy, attracting a slew of luxury lifestyle brands. GQ will be his guide to all things cool and stylish”

Condé Nast India intends to replicate its success of Vogue with a unique, targeted mix of marketing efforts to reach out to the GQ man. GQ will also be investing in above-the-line activities such as billboards across key cities and eye-catching point-of-sale displays. GQ is collaborating with the country’s leading and most professionally run distribution company, the Living Media Group and will retail at more than 5,500 outlets across India.

Says Oona Dhabhar, Marketing Director Condé Nast India, “We need to reach the elusive, affluent Indian man to ensure that GQ is positioned as a must have for him. For the launch we will be using outdoors and television, where we will air a fun engaging French commercial that we have adapted for India.  I am sure the reader is going to connect instantly with the brand.”

Adds Arjun Mehra, Publisher Director Conde Nast India, “We have been inundated by requests from our advertisers to launch a world class magazine like GQ in India. There is a huge vacuum in the men’s luxury market and GQ will bridge that gap. Our launch issue showcases over 120 pages of advertising supported by every major luxury brands.”

The first issue of GQ India celebrates “The Good Life” with India’s hottest stars – Saif Ali Khan, Yuvraj Singh and Arjun Rampal. Each favorites’ in the world of Bollywood, Cricket and Fashion, the GQ cover stars have been shot by Pascal Chevallier, one of the world’s leading fashion photographers.

Macedonian Supermodel Katarina Ivanovska’s international appeal is further confirmed with her appearance on this launch cover.  Styled by British GQ’s maverick fashion editor David Lamb and fashion director of GQ India Arjun Bhasin, the cover stars adorned suits by Dolce & Gabbana, Brioni, Louis Vuitton.

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh exalts, “I have been picking up issues of GQ whenever I travel and have always enjoyed reading it. It feels great to be chosen for the inaugural issue and had a terrific time shooting with both Saif & Arjun. I wish GQ the very best - it's the ultimate male handbook with the perfect blend of style and everything that a man enjoys to read.”

Featuring exclusively in this issue: The Karan Johar interview with Aditya Mittal: The man of the moment talks money, fame and women with our star interviewer in his most revealing one-on-one yet.

Plus, India’s sharpest columnist Vir Sanghvi pens down his ode to tea; a peak into Nikhil Chib’s fridge; around the world in 80 martinis; GQ’s very own resident sexpert: Introducing Mia and 64 pages of new season fashion.

For further information, please contact:

Perfect Relations Ltd.

Anushka Kotwani

Image Executive

E-mail: akotwani@perfectrelations.com

Tel: 22-24367155