Hotel sacks publisher of new magazine

MANDARIN Oriental Hotels Group has ended its three-year agreement with C. Cheney and Associates to publish its quarterly magazine less than two weeks after the launch party.

Ms Jill Kluge, group public relations manager for the Mandarin, said: ''Essentially, we feel the changes do not necessarily meet our guests' needs any better than before.

''We have tried a new approach, but we really believe that we are now looking to return to our previous style.'' Publisher Mr Christopher Cheney defended his product, claiming: ''We answered the brief from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group exactly.

''Everything about the publication, from the paper stock to the creative concept to individual articles and illustrations, was approved long before publication by at least three senior executives within the group.'' He also criticised the Mandarin's managing director Mr Robert Riley.

''For some reason, Mr Riley has taken the unilateral decision to terminate the contract. Rather than meet to discuss specifics - something which I have twice offered to do - he has chosen to communicate with us through the medium of press releases.'' The magazine is aimed at the hotel's prestige clientele which is comprised primarily of senior executives who travel to Asia at least four times a year, with an average length of stay of three nights.

The initial decision to change publisher from Emphasis, who had held the magazine contract for 10 years, was announced by the sales and marketing director, Mr Neil Hucksteppe, last September, when he said: ''The time has come to take a fresh look at the magazine and to update the editorial format.'' Ms Kluge said the intention had been to experiment with a new style and content, with a different publisher, and that it had been produced on schedule.

''After dissecting the finished product, we are now planning to consider proposals from other production houses,'' she said.