Fresh funding for Civilization

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, Feb 1, 1997 by Jenna Schnuer

Not all that long ago, the future of Civilization was in danger, according to industry sources. But now the Washington, D.C.-based magazine has new life. Current managing director Mark Edmiston says Worth owner Capital Publishing has signed a "very definitive letter of agreement" to buy the title from current owner L.O.C. Associates. (L.O.C. was formed by Edmiston and venture capital firm Petrus to manage Civilization.) The deal was expected to close in early January. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"I've had a love affair with Civilization for almost three years now," says Capital CEO Randall Jones. "I talked to [founders] Mark Edmiston and Charles Rodin before they launched." Jones, who calls Civilization "the ultimate high-culture magazine about the humanities," says he wants to grow circulation, currently at 225,000.