Emmis Magazines acquired by Hour Media Group; Sinclair Broadcast Group acquires Tennis magazine; Informa acquires Show Management from multiplatform publishers Active Interest Media; Color Magazine acquired by BridgeTower Media
We see many acquisitions in the media industry. Multiplatform publishers look for the best opportunities to evolve, expand, and reach their audiences where their audiences are. Today we look at some recent acquisitions in the media industry.
We begin with Hour Media Group’s recent acquisition of Emmis Magazines. Folio reports, “Emmis Communications is nearly out of the publishing business. The struggling media company sold Atlanta, Cincinnati, Orange Coast, and Los Angeles magazines to Hour Media Group LLC. The deal closed yesterday for $6.5 million.”
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“Hour also acquired the Palm Beach Media Group in January, with titles including Palm Beach Illustrated and Naples Illustrated. Hour now publishes over 70 magazines and custom titles, in addition to the digital assets and related events.”
The article continues by discussing some of the changes that have taken place at the publication since the acquisition. “Just hours into the new ownership, major personnel changes are rolling out. Mary Melton, editor-in-chief of Los Angeles, announced on Twitter that she has left the magazine after 16 years. Los Angeles editor-at-large Amy Wallace has also left.”
Next, we move to the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which has just acquired Tennis magazine Tennis.com. Broadcasting & Cable reports, “Sinclair gets the magazine and website as part of its acquisition of the assets of Tennis Media Company for $8 million cash, plus an additional $6 million earn-out potential based on contingencies, the company said. The deal enables Sinclair to operate three established, multi-platform brands dedicated to the sport.”
The acquisition is bringing together the platforms of television, print and online. The article continues, “Tennis.com garners 25 million monthly page views and 2 million unique monthly visitors, according to Sinclair. The site also houses its Baseline daily newsletter. Tennis Channel is currently expanding its digital activity to complement on-air programming and become more integrated with websites of other Sinclair stations and properties throughout the country, and Tennis.com will play a major part in that integration process, the company said.”
“Tennis Channel president Ken Solomon says the acquisition gives advertisers one-stop-shopping in print, TV and online.”
Another recent acquisition involves Color Magazine, which has been bought by BridgeTower Media. A press release shares the details. “BridgeTower Media, a leading provider of local and regional business information, events and marketing services, today announced the acquisition of Color Magazine, a premiere publication focused on publishing and events for diverse business professionals. Based in Boston, Color Magazine was founded in 2007 by Josefina Bonilla.”
“As part of the transaction, Bonilla was named Chief Diversity Officer for BridgeTower Media, in addition to continuing her role as Color Magazine’s President. Her responsibilities include growing and expanding Color Magazine’s content and programs. Bonilla will also identify new opportunities to highlight diversity across the publishing and event platforms at BridgeTower and GateHouse Media, LLC, BridgeTower’s parent company.”
Lastly, we see changes come to Active Interest Media, and Talking New Media is reporting on the story. “Active Interest Media announced today the sale of Show Management/YPI to Informa, the London-based global business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events company.”
“The sale of Show Management is part of AIM’s long-term strategic plan to accelerate our growth,” said Andrew Clurman, AIM President and CEO. “AIM will reinvest the proceeds from this sale to grow our digital video, online education, marketing services, and events in our other verticals.”
We’ll continue to report on media acquisitions so you can stay current with the industry changes.
