Mergers & acquisitions

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, Nov 1, 1997

* Herndon, Virginia-based Sovereign Media (publisher of Science Fiction Age, Realms of Fantasy, Sci-Fi Entertainment) acquired Sci-Fi Universe from LFP Inc. of Los Angeles in June.

* In July, Consolidated Papers, Inc., of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, acquired Repap USA, Inc., the holding company for Repap Wisconsin, Inc., of Kimberly, Wisconsin, and New York City-based Repap Sales Corporation.

* New York City-based K-III Communications acquired CSK Publishing of Saddlebrook, New Jersey (publisher of Muscle Mustang, Vette, Mopar and three other auto titles) in July through its Placentia, California-based McMullen Argus unit.

* MacDonald Communications Corporation (New York City publisher of Working Mother, Working Woman and Ms.) in July acquired the assets of the National Association of Female Executives from Affinity Group, Inc. of Ventura, California.

* Stamford, Connecticut-based Cowles Enthusiast Media acquired Climbing from Carbondale, Colorado-based Elk Mountain Press, Inc., in August.

Miscellaneous

* Kalmbach Publishing's Astronomy and Sky Publishing Corporation's Sky & Telescope each underwent redesigns with their July issues. The titles are based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, respectively.

* Los Angeles-based Petersen Publishing's Bicycle Guide changed its name to Bicyclist with the July issue. The company will launch BMX '98, a single-issue bicycle motocross title, due to hit newsstands in December.

* Brentwood, Tennessee-based Sullivan Graphics changed its name to American Color Graphics, Inc., in July, while Stamford, Connecticut-based parent company, Sullivan Communications, changed its name to ACG Holdings, Inc.

* Secrets of Success, a special issue from Birmingham, Alabama-based Southern Progress' Weight Watchers Magazine, hit newsstands October 1.

* Bloomberg Personal, of Princeton, New Jersey, jumped from bimonthly to monthly frequency with its September issue.

* Billboard, published by Billboard Music Group of New York City, released the sixth edition of the International Latin Music Buyer's Guide in August.

* Yachting of New York City celebrates its 90th year of publication with its August issue.

* In partnership with Miami-based Ideas & Capital Ltd. Co., New York City-based Discover launched Discover en Espanol, a Spanish-language version of the science magazine. The title was released in Latin America, Spain and the United States in October.

* Reader's Digest Association, located in Pleasantville, New York, launched Reader's Digest Large Edition for Easier Reading in September.

* Family Life increased its frequency from bimonthly to 10 times a year with its September issue. In the same month parent publisher New York City-based Hachette Filipacchi Magazines, in conjunction with Ferrari North America, released a special one-shot titled Rosso Ferrari at Fifty.

AutoWeek

AutoWeek delivers the latest on racing coverage; new car, truck and sport utility vehicle reviews; long-term test drives; equipment and more to its 266,000 subscribers. Readership is 98 percent male; average HHI is $112,000; 70 percent married. Cost: $85/M; fundraiser rate: $75/M. Minimum: 5,000. The Lake Group, 411 Theodore Fremd Ave., Rye, NY 10580.914-925-2401.

Special delivery

Reach CEOs and top business decisionmakers who have paid $297 for American Speaker: Your Guide to Successful Speaking and its bimonthly updates, published by Georgetown Publishing. 46,194 active subscribers, 82 percent are at business addresses. Cost: $125/M (active); $85/M (12 month expires). Minimum: 5,000. Direct Media, 200 Pemberwick Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830. 203-532-2457.

The Nature Conservancy

Dedicated environmentalists comprise the membership of The Nature Conservancy. Of its 487,000 members, 52 percent are women; 72 percent are college graduates; median age: 55. Cost: $85/M; fundraiser rate: $75/M. Minimum: 5,000. Media Marketplace, Inc., 140 Terry Dr., Suite 103, Newtown, PA 18940. 215-968-5020.

Smokin' hot

Cigar lovers who purchase information on their favorite stogies are the subject of this 42,295 Book Buyers list. 86 percent are male, and all smoke between one and three cigars per week, average 40 years of age and have an average income of $70,000. Cost: $95/M. Minimum: 5,000. Name-Finders Lists, Inc., 160 Sansome St., Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94104. 415-955-8585.

The numbers game

Purchasers of Intuit Corp.'s Quicken personal finance software, Quickbooks accounting software for businesses and TurboTax and MacInTax tax preparation software are three separate lists, each costing $95/M for the most recent buyers and $85/M for total file buyers. Additional selections by state, SCF, Zip Code, sex and home vs. business address at additional cost. Minimum: 5,000. Direct Media, Walnut Creek division, 1615 Bonanza St., Suite 305, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. 510-906-1070.

A font of fonts

The Creative Alliance CD 8.0 contains more than 6,000 Postscript fonts, offering over 650 exclusive designs and 1,800 new typefaces. The two-CD set consists of the entire libraries of the Agfa and Monotype foundries, and a portion of the Adobe Library. In addition to traditional Latin and non-Latin type faces, the collection contains more than 33,000 icons, decorative initials, spot illustrations and symbols. Macintosh and Windows-compatible, the browser allows the user to search for typefaces by name, library, designer or foundry. Cost is determined by weight and quantity licensed. Contact Agfa Division, Bayer Corp., 90 Industrial Way, Wilmington, MA 01887. 800-424-8973.