Action Pursuit Group Acquires DRIVE! Media
Apprise Enthusiast Media Unit Sees Strong Growth Potential in Niche Media Focused on Automotive Segment
ORANGE, Calif., April 3 -- The Action Pursuit Group (APG), an operating company of Apprise Enthusiast Media LLC, today announced the acquisition of DRIVE! Media, LLC, a publisher of automotive enthusiast publications in California, the Pacific Northwest and select markets across the country. The DRIVE! publications, which focus on car and truck shows and events in regional markets, will be integrated into APG's existing group of automotive publications, which includes Drag Racer(R) and Drifting, and StreetTrucks. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"This is a great acquisition for APG," said Craig Nickerson, CEO of the Action Pursuit Group. "DRIVE! presents a very synergistic fit with our segment-focused titles like StreetTrucks and Drag Racer. Since 1984, DRIVE! has been the authoritative source for car and truck enthusiasts looking for definitive information on shows and events, including swap meets, classic car auctions, drag racing and performance driving schools, in their areas. We intend to expand DRIVE!'s marketing footprint across the country with the launch of regional editions and expanded online offerings, while continuing to invest in upgrades to the company's existing print and electronic products."
"This is a segment we know extremely well," said Charles G. McCurdy, Chairman and CEO of Apprise Media LLC. "We will continue to expand our base in automotive enthusiast media through combination of organic growth, including the launch of new titles, and opportunistic acquisitions of existing niche publications like DRIVE!."
About Apprise Media LLC
Established in 2004 by Charles G. McCurdy, co-founder and former President of Primedia, Inc., Apprise Media (www.apprisemedia.com) concentrates on niche media, one of the fastest-growing segments in the media industry worldwide. Apprise currently operates two strategic platforms: Canon Communications LLC, the leading provider of events, publications, and online media to the medical device, packaging, plastics, and allied industries, and Apprise Enthusiast Media LLC, which serves a variety of attractive consumer niche markets through Beckett Media LP and the Action Pursuit Group.
The Action Pursuit Group
The Action Pursuit Group (APG) is an operating company of Apprise Enthusiast Media LLC. APG, which is based in Orange County, California, dominates the fast-growing paintball enthusiast category with Action Pursuit Games. The paintball segment has industry wide revenues of approximately $1 billion, with more than 7.4 million participants and over 2,500 paintball sites in the U.S. Participation in the segment has grown by 10-15% a year. The company also publishes Inside Kung Fu and Grappling, which covers the fastest-growing segment of the martial arts category. Apprise expanded APG's market footprint in August 2005 with the acquisition of Y-Visionary, an enthusiast media company whose publications include Drag Racer, Drifting and StreetTrucks in the automotive segment; Bow & Arrow Hunting, Gun World and Knives Illustrated in the outdoor sports segment; and Victorian Homes and Romantic Homes in the shelter segment.
For more information, please contact Craig Nickerson at 714-939-9991 or craig.nickerson@apg-media.com.