As a brand extension, Ideal Home’s Complete Guide to Christmas really shines in the very competitive world of Christmas magazines. Maintaining the 100-year-old title’s production values, with a bespoke lifestyle shoot, tried-and-tested recipes, beautiful decorating and practical festive advice, IHCGTC is many readers go-to Christmas title. The production schedule runs from mid-July through to the first week of September. But planning for the special starts earlier, with moodboarding and concepts presented to the senior team in May.
The 2017 and 2018 Christmas team consisted of Jen as editor, art director Heather Thomas and chief sub editor Tara Elarte, using TI Media’s production systems to deliver 132 pages of sparkling content direct to the repro house. Ideal Home’s Complete Guide to Christmas also offers a great commercial opportunity, with one brand sold solus sponsorship. In 2017 and 2018, Jen worked closely with Matalan to produce advertorials, display positions and native advertising opportunities, which remained true to both brands.
“I was thrilled to edit Ideal Home’s Complete Guide to Christmas two years running. For many readers, its appearance on the newstand heralds the start of their countdown to Christmas”
“I was able to leave Ideal Home’s Complete Guide to Christmas in Jen’s capable hands (2017 and 2018). She did her signature multitasking one-man-band thang and nailed it both times”
2017
2018
