AMERICAN MEDIA, INC. REACHES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES
AMI will Assume Responsibility for all Publishing Functions
of Soap Opera Weekly and Soap Opera Digest
NEW YORK, April 14, 2011 — David J. Pecker, Chairman, President and CEO of American Media Inc. (AMI), today announced that a long-term licensing agreement has been reached with Source Interlink Companies to take over all editorial and advertising duties, including distribution and marketing for Soap Opera Weekly and Soap Opera Digest.
AMI, the largest seller of celebrity magazines at retail, will assume responsibility for the editorial, production, circulation, advertising sales, marketing and other support services for both titles, beginning immediately.
Mr. Pecker commented, “This agreement is ideal for American Media as both soap opera titles fit strategically into our entertainment group, which includes Star, National Enquirer, Country Weekly and TV Guide, reaching an audience of 37 million people. Advertising clients will benefit immensely as we will now deliver the most efficient ad buy in the celebrity category for consumers.”
On announcing the new partnership, Michael L. Sullivan, President & CEO, Source Interlink Companies noted: “This transaction will allow our media company to focus on the continued growth and investment in our core enthusiast brands, while positioning our sales and services company, to focus on its long-term vision of fully capitalizing on the vertical integration of our wholesale magazine distribution assets. American Media understands and values our history and commitment to the entertainment category, through our soap titles. Given the synergies in their demographic audience, this license agreement will allow AMI to support these titles moving forward where they will continue to provide an exciting and relevant product for our dedicated consumers. We are pleased to have identified the right partner and are confident that our soap titles are in good hands.”
About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health and fitness media brands in the United States. AMI’s titles include Star, OK!, National Enquirer, Globe, Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly, Pixie, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, Shape.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and FitPregnancy.com. AMI’s magazines have a combined total circulation of almost 7 million and reach more than 55 million men and women each month. AMI’s digital properties reach an average of 10 million unique visitors and 80 million page views monthly.
AMI also operates a Publishing Services business unit which includes Distribution Services, Inc. (DSI), the No. 1 in-store magazine sales and merchandising marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. DSI places and monitors AMI’s publications and third-party publications to ensure proper displays in major retail chains and national and regional supermarket chains. DSI also provides marketing, merchandising and information gathering services to third parties including non-magazine clients. Publishing Services also provides print and digital advertising sales and strategic management direction in the following areas: manufacturing, subscription circulation, logistics, event marketing and full back office financial functions. Playboy is one of many publishers who have taken advantage of these additional services.
About Source Interlink
Source Interlink Companies (www.sourceinterlink.com) is the leading publisher of magazines and on-line content for enthusiast audiences, as well as a leading wholesale distributor of magazines and provider of related in-store services across North America. Source Interlink creates content for more than 70 publications, 90 websites, events, television, and radio. Its portfolio includes many respected brands such as Motor Trend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Automotive.com, Surfer and Intellichoice.