By Kerry Ashdown

In 1997, Richard Lendrum, founder of The Future Group, broke into the publishing world, bringing with him years of media and travel experience. Richard believed he had found a gap in the market to produce highly targeted niche publications for specialist audiences. Originally started as a marketing house, it now includes services in the fields of publishing; marketing; design; online; and photography, thus creating the well-oiled machine known today as The Future Group. The company follows a simple mantra: 'Excellent value, creative results'. Richard says that effective custom publishing has to provide tangible bottom line results for its clients. Lendrum believes that The Future Group achieves this through the creative offerings it produces. The Future Group now prints 20 regular titles across a combination of sectors including travel and leisure; automotive; professional and business; and wildlife and conservation.

As a media and marketing solutions company, The Future Group has a long history of working with leading brands and companies throughout South Africa, and is proud to include references to these companies as examples of its wonderful work. Titles include the in-flight magazine for British Airways, Upfront.

Its 20 titles include:

AutoFleet, a supplement in Fleet magazine, is printed twice a year with a circulation of 10 000.

Automobil, a monthly publication with a circulation of 8 000, is printed on behalf of South Africa's Retail Motoring Industry (RMI) organisation and distributed to its members.

Scania Revolutions, printed quarterly on behalf of Scania, has a print run of 2 000. This magazine is mailed directly to its members, providing them with information on the Swedish trucking company.

Toyota Zone, said to be an extension of the Toyota brand, is the official magazine for Toyota South Africa. This lifestyle magazine is filled with content pertaining to Toyota drivers. Content ranges from destinations to driving tips and is intended to complement and enhance the ownership experience. Toyota Zone is printed bi-monthly with a circulation of 35 000.

Wheels magazine, produced for WesBank, is a quarterly e-zine emailed directly to Wesbank’s clients.

Imperial Auto World is a bi-monthly publication printed for the Imperial Group’s Automotive Division. This publication has a print run of 100 000.

The Annual, with a circulation of 4 000, is an annual publication reviewing the advertising; branding; and media industries. The Annual showcases industry performance; best practice awards; and trends.

Directorship is the official publication of the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa. The title’s content provides valuable information; insights and opinion to support members in becoming better directors. Directorship is printed quarterly with a circulation of 4 500.

The Journal, the official magazine of the Marketing Association of South Africa, is a trade magazine enlightening the reader on a diverse range of marketing topics in a collection of thought provoking articles. The title is printed bi-monthly with a circulation of 5 000.

Property Professional is a trade and professional consumer magazine published bi-monthly with a print run of 12 800. Future Publishing believes that this title delivers the industries key drivers to estate agents and property investors in South Africa.

The Red Book is an annual directory that profiles South Africa’s leading marketing; advertising; branding and media personalities. This title has a circulation of 6 000.

Case, the newest edition to Future Publishing, is published in association with Creative Circle and the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) to showcase the advertising and communications industry in South Africa. The publication is printed quarterly with a circulation of 5 000.

Business Traveller Africa, published on behalf of Tourvest and Travel with Flair, informs and entertains the reader about business travel. Content includes everything form airline tips to where to eat and what to do while traveling. This sister publication to Business Traveller UK is printed monthly, with a print order of 14 000 copies.

Dainfern and Luxury Life magazines are printed quarterly with a total circulation of 5 100. Dainfern is the official publication for the Dainfern Housing Association, one of South Africa’s premier golf Estates. Luxury Life, the magazine for Cruises International, is distributed to past Cruises International passengers and potential clients.

Africa Inbound is a bi-annual magazine with a print order of 4 000. This title is a trade magazine that focuses on promoting inbound tourism to Southern Africa.

Crest Calling, the magazine for the Cresta Hotels Group, provides internal information as well as business traveling tips and reviews. This quarterly publication has a print order of 5 000.

The African Hunting Directory reveals all you need to know about hunting in Africa. This annual publication has a print order of 10 000.

African Sporting Gazette is a quarterly game hunting publication felt, by Future Publishing, arguably to be the best African specialist magazine available to both local and international hunters today. This publication has a print order of 10 000.

Environment, People and Conservation in Africa, proudly published as a partnership between seven NGOs, was created to inform and enlighten its reader about crucial environmental issues facing Southern Africa. This quarterly magazine has a circulation of 16 000.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s book, Vision Annual, has a pint order of 6 000.

Professional Hunter is a quarterly newsletter distributed to members of the Professional Hunter’s Association of South Africa.

In 2009 Richard handed the reigns to Chief Operating Officer, Taryn Westoby, to live the life of sales alongside journalist and broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs.

For more information, call 011 803 2040; log onto www.futurepublishing.co.za; or email [email protected].