Publishing company NewBay Media, parent of Radio World and other business-to-business publications, has acquired the U.S. music division of Future US Inc.
This move brings publications Guitar World, Revolver and Guitar Aficionado to NewBay, which has been active in growing through acquisitions over five years.
NewBay, headquartered in New York, is part of the Wicks Group of Companies, a private equity firm. Future plc is a special-interest media group and digital publisher, with main headquarters in London.
Guitar World is the largest guitar magazine in the world, according to the companies. NewBay’s existing music and professional audio titles include Guitar Player, Bass Player, Keyboard, Electronic Musician, Mix, Pro Audio Review, Audio Media and Pro Sound News. Revolver is a heavy metal rock magazine; Guitar Aficionado is a relatively new publication that covers “the luxury lifestyle using the guitar as the common passion point.” The acquisition also brings several events to NewBay.
The announcement was made by Steve Palm, CEO of NewBay Media, and Mark Wood, CEO of Future plc.
Regarding possible overlap in holdings, Palm stated in the announcement: “The markets we serve are diverse and deep, as are the reach and editorial missions of all of our music brands. With only 5 percent overlap in circulation and distinctly independent editorial missions, we intend to continue to publish each of our existing and acquired magazines.”
The company has made acquisitions from United Business Media’s CMP Entertainment Media division in 2006, from IMAS in 2007, from Reed Business Information-US in 2009 and from Penton in 2011. “All of the previously acquired titles continue to thrive as part of the NewBay Media portfolio,” it stated.
Titles familiar to RW readers that have come to NewBay previously include TV Technology (like Radio World, a former IMAS Publishing title), Radio magazine and Broadcasting & Cable .
NewBay Media says it now reaches approximately 5 million music and audio professionals and enthusiasts monthly.
