Associated Media Publishing, South Africa’s independent publisher of Cosmopolitan, House & Leisure, Good Housekeeping, and Women on Wheels, will close its doors on Friday 1 May after 38 years.
“This is the most difficult decision I have ever had to make,” the publisher’s chief executive, Julia Raphaely, said in a statement released on Thursday.
AMP said in a statement, “Although every effort was made to achieve this, the unexpected and devastating impact of Covid-19, causing the closure of printing and distribution channels, the global halt on advertising spend as well as the inability to host events for the foreseeable future, have made it impossible to continue trading, despite large amounts of personal funds having gone into AMP.
“We never thought this day would come, but we are left with no choice.” The most difficult day in my entire business life so far. ?
The company was founded in 1982 by Jane Raphaely, who was succeeded by her daughter Julia Raphaely.
“For the last 38 years, AMP has been one of South Africa’s leading publishers and our titles have been part of many people’s lives. It’s a big blow for magazine media brands in South Africa as they hold a special place in our country,” she said in the statement.
My heart is shredded as it learns that @Assoc_Media is closing their doors with immediate effect. This means @CosmopolitanSA will no longer be apart of my life😭
My heart goes out to the management and staff at AMP during this time. Sending extra special love to the COSMO team❤️ pic.twitter.com/b0O56I2lFx— L U C A (@LucaJaftha) April 30, 2020
A devastating casualty for our #media sector during this time of crisis. We hope that the talented, dedicated team @Assoc_Media survive this setback and thrive into the future of whatever the 'next' normal may be. https://t.co/RpQdoFldWd
— ReadToRemember (@The_PRC_SA) April 30, 2020
The @CosmopolitanSA dream team 💖 The amount of love I have for these babes and everyone at @Assoc_Media is just too much 🥺 I’ve had the most incredible 2 and a half years with this brand ✨ The memories will be cherished forever! pic.twitter.com/vyoAXtG19z
— mrs din djarin (@aaash_engel) April 30, 2020
Jane Raphaely is the doyenne of print media in South Africa, avidly championed women’s rights, and relentlessly fought the apartheid government against racism. Along with daughter Julia, her company’s closure ends an era, beloved mags and media history. Thank you, @Assoc_Media. pic.twitter.com/DIMvwhYJpS
— Clouds Drummond (@cloudsdrummond) April 30, 2020
in 1994 jane raphaely emphatically declared that a 14 year old black girl would be the new face of beauty in south africa, forever changing that child's life. no matter where i end up, i will forever be grateful to where i started my journey; at cosmopolitan. my heart is sore 💔 pic.twitter.com/RITZnIzpYn
— claire mawisa (@clairemawisa) April 30, 2020
