Primedia's Auto Enthusiast Titles Hit Record Ad Peak

ANAHEIM, Calif., Feb. 20 -- Proving that auto enthusiasts are continuing to enjoy their passion, regardless of an economic downturn, Primedia Consumer Media and Magazine Group's Auto Performance and Action Sports unit is enjoying record advertising growth this year.

Hot Bike magazine, which caters to Harley Davidson and custom v-twin motorcycle enthusiasts, is also having a record year. Its April 2002 issue, out on the newsstand last week, weighed in with an impressive 268-page package, combined with a 36-page onsert Daytona Bike Week Survival Guide (a separately bound ad supplement polybagged with Hot Bike) -- together brings in a total of 166 ad pages and 35% more revenue than last year's April issue.

Truckin' magazine, devoted to custom truck and SUV enthusiasts, has just closed the June issue, on newsstands on April 9 with a best-ever 444-pages. That's a total of 254 ad pages, an 18% increase from last year. This follows a record May issue, on newsstands on March 12, with a total of 396 pages. Truckin' magazine is currently the number two automotive newsstand title in the United States -- the number one being Primedia's Low-Rider.

Craig Nickerson, president and CEO of Primedia's Auto Performance and Actions Sports Unit, noted that these results prove that special-interest magazines can flourish in a recession. ``We're pleased, but not surprised, by these results,'' Nickerson said. ``People who enjoy Primedia's enthusiast magazines, especially those in the automotive and cycling categories, are continuing to pursue their interests, and our magazines cater more effectively to those interests now that we are the unparalleled category leader as a result of the of the Emap acquisition.''

John Loughlin, CEO of Primedia's Consumer Media and Magazine Group, commented, ``Moreover, the combination of Primedia's special interest titles in automotive and motorcycling with our broad-reach leaders, Motor Trend and Automobile magazines, has proven to be a potent one in the advertising marketplace. In a tough ad marketplace we are seeing very significant growth from this whole sector.''