• June 12, 2001

A randy lad may be joining AOL Time Warner's family of magazines.

The media conglomerate is reportedly in talks to acquire IPC Media, a U.K.-based publishing group whose consumer periodicals include the hugely popular Loaded, a men's monthly featuring articles on titillating topics and lots of photos of scantily clad women.

Loaded's success in the famously difficult magazine business has prompted a wave of "lads mag" imitators, including several titles with U.S. versions.

IPC also publishes several other magazines, including upscale women's monthly Marie Claire.

It was unclear how far any talks between Time Warner and IPC have advanced, but a move by Time Warner would seem aimed at extending the overseas reach of conglom's Time Inc. unit.

A Time Warner spokesman declined comment.

- Reuters/Variety