“I am fortunate enough to have joined Associated Media, a group that really understands how to deliver ‘360-degree’ content to its audiences,” says Nagel. “House and Leisure has a vibrant digital presence which complements our readers’ experience perfectly. My goal is to build on this interplay between print and digital. We will become a true ‘lifestyle companion’, offering inspirational and practical content in equal measures.”

The magazine has a 146 000-strong readership with a social media following of 35 854 Facebook followers, 19 500 on Instagram, 18 294 on Twitter and 9 600 on Pinterest. The brand also extends beyond print and online to encompass successful projects, events, and competitions.

The House and Leisure title, which launched in 1993, is an established brand that is recognised as a market leader, offering expert décor-design content, packaged as a curated lifestyle guide.

However, Nagel points out that the role of consumer magazines has changed drastically, and that the opportunities for content are ever evolving.

He continues, “Print needs to maintain its authoritative and curated voice, and ensure it’s constantly plugged into the zeitgeist – a gauge for modern and informed living. But, as a brand, we look at many avenues to connect with our audience. It’s about creating a 360-degree experience where she/he can be inspired, and then get to smell/taste/hear and feel it. It’s really about making the pages come to life with innovative engagements with our reader.”

Nagel feels today’s challenge is finding the relevant channel and matching that with relevant content to stimulate growth of the title and expand its audience. “It’s about making short films explaining the interior of a house, a chef doing a quick fun tutorial, or an artist talking us through their inspiration. It’s about a conversational feed on Twitter and Facebook that keeps the audience both up-to-date and inspired and a blast of eclectic visual inspiration on Instagram.”

With regards to editorial content, Nagel says a healthy dose of disruption is never a bad idea, so the plan is to shake things up a bit. “Readers can expect an evolution, not a revolution. Our plans include diversifying the style of houses featured so that we showcase homes from across the design spectrum that suit a variety of pockets and tastes. We want to explore how stylish South Africans choose to live and celebrate great South African design.”

Spotting new talent and promoting innovation have always been priority for the title, and remains one of the key focus areas of the House and Leisure brand. “It’s important to celebrate and support the ’next generation’ of creative thinkers, as we did in our Next Generation feature in the October issue,” he says.

Other content enhancements on the cards for the title include Travel & Food. “Travel will be upweighted, and in particular, travel on the African continent,” he says. “We plan to deliver a refreshed concept, where our audience are given more than the usual Travel spread - the tools to help them on their travels across all channels, plus information to inspire our readers to soak up as much of the destination’s style, culture, and fare as possible.”

With regards to the recent format changes, Nagel says, “From a visual perspective, we are making small changes to the brand’s identity and have moved to a more matte modern paper stock that has been widely welcomed.”

For Nagel, the focus should always be about looking forward and for the brand to maintain its cache it needs to be a part of that forward movement.

For more information, visit www.houseandleisure.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.