Publicis unveils The Real Picture

MediaWeek, Media Week, Tuesday, 21 December 2004, 10:40am,

Publics Blueprint, the contract publishing arm of the France-based Publicis global media network, is backing a new magazine aimed at the homeless.

The magazine, called The Real Picture, is produced by the homeless and will be distributed in hostels and day centres in London.

The Real Picture will have an initial print run of 6,000 copies, but publisher Vincent Popely said it is hoped distribution will be increased over the coming months.

Popely said: “Hopefully, we can keep on growing, encouraging people to develop professionally as well as personally through this magnificent partnership with Publicis Blueprint.”

“I was homeless for five years myself before I created The Real Picture magazine. Whilst I was knocking around in hostels, I came to realise how shocking the lack of communication between young homeless people in hostels and on the streets of Central London was.

Two test issues have already been produced by Publicis Blueprint, with the well-established Big Issue magazine and the Rainer charity pledging support with advertising for the new magazine.

Previously Publicis has worked on a number of homeless projects including the a branding exercise for the Big Issue, the Depaul Trust and BBC’s Head Hunting the Homeless initiative.

By Kevin May

This article was first published on Media Week