Business News
Active Interest Media Acquires SNEWS(R)
Tuesday 08. January 2008 - Adds Leading Outdoor and Fitness News Service to Growing Portfolio of Media Properties
Active Interest Media, Inc. (AIM), the parent company of Backpacker magazine and Yoga Journal, today announced it has acquired SNEWS(R) (Specialty News), the leading news and information service for the outdoor and fitness industries.
Founded in 1984, SNEWS(R) is best known for its online trade news and information service read by top retailers and business leaders in outdoor and fitness. SNEWS(R) also produces GearTrends(R) magazines, a number of seasonally targeted trade magazines covering outdoor and fitness market trends and business; GearTrends.com; eFitBiz, a journal for the fitness industry; and SNEWS(R) Law Review.
“AIM’s acquisition of SNEWS(R) creates a powerful partnership of the leading consumer and trade brands in the outdoor and fitness industries,” says Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III, president and CEO of AIM. “With this strategic alliance, AIM becomes a leading source of news, content, and communication for both the engaged media consumer and the businesses who want to reach them.”
The acquisition, which was completed on December 21, was hailed by SNEWS(R) president Michael Hodgson as an opportunity to create a peerless community of industry influencers, including company executives, retailers, reps, consumers, and more. “With this partnership, we become a communication hub that’s uniquely positioned to grow both the outdoor and fitness communities, offering greater promotional and marketing opportunities than ever before. No other publishing group can match the depth or breadth of relationships this merger creates.”
Along with Yoga Journal and Backpacker, AIM also publishes Vegetarian Times, Better Nutrition, as well as custom publications including Whole Foods Market magazine, premiering in the Midwest region in January, and Pharmaca’s “Feel Better”magazine, debuting next spring.
SNEWS(R), which is retaining key senior staff including partners Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian, will continue to operate out of its Grass Valley, California, office.