ROUNDUP: MAGAZINES PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS
By Adnews Staff
Ottawa-based Canadian Geographic Enterprises has acquired Equinox magazine, formerly owned by Malcom Publishing Inc. of Montreal, as part of a multimedia expansion plan. "By acquiring Equinox, merging it into our broad membership base, and expanding into new media formats, Canadian Geographic will create a strong home for compelling stories and great photography of Canadian exploration, discovery, science and nature," said Canadian Geographic publisher and CEO John Thomson. Other expansionist fronts include increased investment in television, new merchandise and a reworked website.
Axia NetMedia Corp. of Calgary has struck a deal to acquire the key assets of the Rankine Group of Companies, particularly Today's Boating magazine. Also included in the deal are the PowerBoat Television series and Rankine's share of the jointly-owned Boats and Places website. "The North American power boating community is affluent, tech-savvy and growing at double-digit rates," said Rich Thompson, president of Axia's Parallel Strategies business unit. "By combining these media assets with Parallel and Axia's expertise, we will create serious access to content and commerce for the North American boating public. We can also offer a compelling, integrated package for advertisers who are targeting this highly desirable demographic."
Markham, Ontario-based Avid Media has purchased Century Home magazine from Bluestone House of Port Hope, Ontario. "The category of country homes is a perfect strategic fit with our existing roster of special-interest magazines," said Avid Media president Jacqueline Howe. "We see great growth potential for Century Home. There's a growing interest among consumers in living in older or traditionally styled homes, whether in the city or country." Other Avid Media titles include Canadian Gardening, Canadian Home Workshop, Outdoor Canada and Snow Goer.