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Action Pursuit Group Acquires DRIVE! Media
Apprise Enthusiast Media unit sees strong growth potential in niche media focused on automotive segment
Orange, CA (April 3, 2006) – 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® 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 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, operates publications including Drag Racer, Drifting, Diesel World, Drive! and Street Trucks in the automotive segment; Bow & Arrow Hunting, Gun World and Knives Illustrated in the outdoor sports segment; Victorian Homes, Cottages & Bungalows and Romantic Homes in the shelter segment; and Action Pursuit Games, Ultimate Grappling and Inside Kung-Fu in the action enthusiast segment. Apprise Enthusiast Media is a strategic platform of Apprise Media LLC (www.apprisemedia.com), a leading investor in niche media.
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: Apprise Business Media LLC, which includes Canon Communications LLC, a leading publisher, trade show producer, and digital media company serving advanced, technology-based manufacturing industries, including medical device, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, specialty packaging, electronics, and plastics processing; and Apprise Enthusiast Media LLC, which serves a variety of attractive consumer niche markets through Beckett Media LP and the Action Pursuit Group
