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June 25, 2007
Consumer Enthusiast Media Company Adds Annual Art Guidebook to Growing Portfolio of Specialty Magazines, Events and New Media
El Segundo, CA—(June 25, 2007) – Active Interest Media, Inc. (AIM, www.aimmedia.com) has acquired The Collector’s Guide – an annual guidebook serving art collectors and enthusiasts seeking information about art and culture of New Mexico, AIM president and chief executive officer Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III announced today. The new acquisition adds to AIM's growing portfolio of enthusiast publications, consumer events, books and Internet sites. The acquisition, combined with AIM's own leading fine art publication, Southwest Art Magazine, makes the company a market leader in the category.
The Collector’s Guide (www.collectorsguide.com) produces and distributes 180,000 copies of its ubiquitous guide every year. Focused comprehensively on the art galleries, museums, artist studios and art events found in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Taos, New Mexico, The Collector’s Guide boasts an estimated total readership of approximately 450,000. The 21st edition of the printed guide was released this spring.
Since 1995 the company’s website, The Collector's Guide Online (www.collectorsguide.com), has offered hundreds of pages designed to promote art sales while educating viewers about the art, culture and history of northern New Mexico. The Collector's Guide Online's annual page views now top 2,000,000.
In addition, The Collector’s Guide produces Gallery News -- a weekly radio segment about art happeningsin New Mexico, also available via pod cast and electronic newsletter -- and The Wingspread Guide to Canyon Road, a special 8-page guide to the popular art-buying destination including information about galleries, restaurants, shops and lodging.
Says Zimbalist, "We have long admired The Collector’s Guide. It is an outstanding publication dedicated to bringing the rich culture and history of the art of New Mexico to passionate art enthusiasts around the world. In so doing it has become a vital part of the New Mexico art community.”
Sarah Marshall-Hill, publisher of Southwest Art and group publisher of AIM's Art Group says," We have always held The Collector’s Guide in extremely high regard and have considered ourselves partners and companions well prior to this acquisition. We could not be happier to officially welcome The Collector’s Guide to AIM and begin our exciting work together to develop new opportunities for our mutual clients -- the communities of Northern New Mexico, and the art market at large.”
Marshall-Hill also named Jill Johns associate publisher of The Collector’s Guide. For seven years, Johns was Southwest Art Magazine’s Regional Sales Manager for New Mexico before leaving in 2005 to join a family owned-business. As associate publisher, Johns will lead the efforts in advertising sales, marketing and customer care.
"We're thrilled by this new opportunity because AIM will take The Collector's Guide to a new level of quality and service. Importantly for us, we believe that the people of AIM respect what has been built and honor our passion for supporting the New Mexico art community," said The Collector's Guide Founders, Pamela and Don Michaelis.
About AIM
Based in El Segundo, California, AIM (www.aimmedia.com) is a dynamic media company that serves a base of loyal constituents through print, event and online products that connect consumers with their passions. The company was formed in October 2003 by Zimbalist and the private equity investment firm Wind Point Partners.
In addition to its new Art Group, the company publishes American Cowboy, Log Home Design, Log Home Living, Timber Home Living, Building Systems, Black Belt, Yoga Journal, Vegetarian Times, Better Nutrition, Backpacker and Yachts magazines. AIM produces and markets videos and books and produces twelve shows on log homes and more than two dozen building seminars.
In March of 2006, the company acquired Yachting Promotions, Inc. YPI and its Show Management operations produce five major boat shows in Florida along with numerous other special events. They are best known as the producers of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show®, the largest boat show in the world.
About Wind Point Partners
Wind Point Partners (www.wppartners.com), located in Chicago, IL and Southfield, MI, is a private equity investment firm with over $1.8 billion in capital under management. Wind Point’s strategy is to team with top caliber CEOs to acquire solid middle market businesses with a clear path to value creation. Wind Point has an excellent track record of success, and has invested in more than 80 companies since 1984.
About Southwest Art
Now in its 36th year, Southwest Art (www.southwestart.com) is the definitive source of information and inspiration for fine art in and of the American West. It is the leading magazine for art collectors who are passionate about the arts in the West. The company is based in Boulder, Colorado.
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