Source Interlink Media Announces the Motor Trend Automotive Group

LOS ANGELES--Source Interlink Media, LLC. (SIM) today announced the creation of the Motor Trend Automotive Group.

“The unique personality, opinion and perspective of our well-known editorial-driven brands will not change. This is about leveraging behind-the-scenes resources between those brands where appropriate, and to benefit our in-market businesses.”

The Motor Trend Automotive Group brings together Source Interlink Media’s consumer automotive magazines and Web sites into a single brand-focused, media-neutral operating group. The Motor Trend Automotive Group encompasses editorial teams that generate print, digital and video content for all Motor Trend, Automobile Magazine, and Truck Trend branded products, plus content for Motor Trend Radio and in-market Web sites automotive.com, IntelliChoice.com, internetAutoGuide.com, Autobuyguide.com, NewCar.com and AutoMallUSA.com.

The Motor Trend Automotive Group brands deliver significant reach across automotive enthusiast and in-market consumer audiences. In addition to print products with a combined audience in excess of 11 million readers a month, the Motor Trend Automotive Group’s Web sites attract more than 10 million unique visitors and generate more than 50 million page views a month.

“The creation of the Motor Trend Automotive Group clearly positions SIM as a fully integrated media company by combining all content generation resources and assets under one focal point,” said Jim Gillis, president & COO Source Interlink Companies. “Instead of content created within silos defined by a medium, the editorial-led, brand-focused structure is designed to leverage the true value and reach of the group’s brands.”

The Motor Trend Automotive Group produces news, features, road tests, data, analysis, photography, and video under the direction of Angus MacKenzie, vice president Product & Audience Strategy. MacKenzie will continue in his role as editor-in-chief of Motor Trend and the award-winning Motor Trend Classic, which is being re-launched in March.

“This group builds on experience gained over the past three years as we have transformed Motor Trend from a traditional print product to an automotive media brand that connects with its audience not only through the magazine, but also a popular and profitable Web site, various mobile applications, our You Tube channel, and live events,” said MacKenzie. “The unique personality, opinion and perspective of our well-known editorial-driven brands will not change. This is about leveraging behind-the-scenes resources between those brands where appropriate, and to benefit our in-market businesses.”

Ira Gabriel will drive the commercial side of the newly formed group in his role as senior vice president, group publisher, Motor Trend Automotive Group. Ira will be responsible for the oversight of all assets contained within the Motor Trend Automotive Group.

Jean Jennings will continue in her role as editor-in-chief / president of Automobile Magazine. Jean will oversee the ongoing development of the Automobile Magazine brand and will take on a leadership role in new content areas involving special projects.

Mike Floyd will be promoted to Motor Trend Automotive Group digital integration director. In this new role, Mike will lead a team including online operations, Web producers, video operations, and a pool of editorial reporters charged with creating fresh editorial content for the group on a daily basis. Mike will also work with Motor Trend and Automobile senior editors to ensure their output reaches their respective Web sites in a timely manner.

Edward Loh will be promoted to Motor Trend executive editor. Edward brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of executive editor and will work directly developing content for Motor Trend and growing the Motor Trend brand.

Joe DeMatio has been appointed to the role of Automobile Magazine executive editor. In his role, Joe will be instrumental in bringing content to the many properties served by the Automobile Magazine brand.

Matt Stone will be promoted to editor, Motor Trend Classic. In this role, Matt will be responsible for ensuring Motor Trend Classic remains the benchmark for excellence in graphic design and editorial among automotive magazines. Boasting more than 130 editorial pages, and printed on high quality paper, the premium-priced Motor Trend Classic will be re-launched at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in March and will be published quarterly.

Kim Reynolds will become the Motor Trend Automotive group test director. In his role, Kim will oversee performance testing for all group brands, and the ongoing development of the group’s road test database. Kim will also be responsible for developing new testing regimes for the group’s in-market brands.

Charlie Vogelheim will lead the group’s IntelliChoice.com brand operations. IntelliChoice.com remains one of the leading sources for automotive ownership cost and leasing data, and under Charlie’s leadership will play an important role in the Motor Trend Automotive Group’s in-market businesses.

About Source Interlink Companies, Inc.

Source Interlink Media LLC. is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services, a leading U.S. distributor of home entertainment products and services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.