Kirkland, who leaves Hearst with immediate effect, will report to Fiona Dent, managing director of IPC’s TV and weeklies branch IPC Connect. He replaces Niall Clarkson.
He will oversee the publishing of titles including TV Times, TV Easy and What’s on TV, which had a 5.4% year-on-year circulation boost according to the latest ABC figures.
Kirkland joined Hearst when it was ACP-NatMag in 2006, as publisher of Best, Reveal and Real People.
He had previously worked at IPC, joining in 1999 as circulation manager for the IPC Connect women’s weekly brands, rising to become publisher for Now magazine and, finally, acting publishing director for Now.
Dent said: "Last week our TV portfolio celebrated ABC success and extended its market leadership, so Drew joins us at an exciting time.
"I'm confident that his proven experience, knowledge and passion for the mass-market weeklies sector will be invaluable in driving our number-one TV portfolio to even greater success."
Clarkson, who remains as group publishing director for the moment, had been in the role since January 2010, rising from his role as IPC general manager. IPC confirmed Clarkson was leaving the company to take up a new role.
Anna Jones, who was digital and strategy director in the former Hachette Filipacchi business before it merged with NatMag to create Hearst, will assume interim responsibility for Hearst's combined weeklies portfolio until a decision is made about the role.
Kirkland said: "IPC’s TV portfolio is best in class, boasting some of the highest circulations of all consumer magazines and offering consumers quality content both in print and online."
A start date for Kirkland has not yet been confirmed.
