ABOUT US
|
ABOUT US |
|
A Multiplatform Enthusiast Media Company Aspire Media is one of the nation’s leading multiplatform enthusiast media companies with businesses in magazine and book publishing, interactive media, broadcast programming, and events. Founded by Clay B. Hall, an experienced publishing professional and former owner-operator of enthusiast magazines, with the backing of private equity firms Frontenac Company (www.frontenac.com) and Catalyst Investors (www.catalystinvestors.com), ASPIRE is actively pursuing acquisitions of enthusiast media companies that impart “how-to,” “where-to,” and “when-to” information to participants involved in crafts, hobbies, and certain other special interests. In 2005, ASPIRE acquired its first company, INTERWEAVE PRESS (www.interweave.com), a 30-year-old leading craft magazine and book publisher based in Loveland, Colorado. Then publisher of six magazines — Interweave Knits, Beadwork, Spin-Off, Handwoven, PieceWork, and Fiberarts — ASPIRE added to INTERWEAVE’S offerings in 2006 with the acquisition of the GEMS Group, a magazine publisher and event operator for gem, bead, and jewelry enthusiasts owned by Primedia, Inc. Following closely on the heels of that acquisition, ASPIRE purchased Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors magazines and their related books, events and Web sites from Quilting Arts LLC. In 2007 ASPIRE acquired the PBS television show, Needle Arts Studio, which is carried in 157 markets and distributed to 55 million households nationwide. ASPIRE also announced in 2007 the development of the PBS television Quilting Arts television show, which will begin broadcasting in 2008. With its acquisition of Needle Arts Studio and the development of Quilting Arts television show, ASPIRE created the critical fifth leg to its platform, making the company truly a multiplatform media business. Seeking Other Enthusiast Media Companies With the goal of building a business with revenues of $100 million or more, Aspire is currently seeking other arts and crafts acquisitions that can be integrated with INTERWEAVE PRESS. Additionally, ASPIRE would like to acquire leading publishers in certain other markets that it can build out in tandem with its building of INTERWEAVE PRESS. While ASPIRE is open to considering other markets, it is currently focusing on enthusiast market segments such as hobbies, collecting, cooking, fitness, health, home, pets, photography, and video among other in-home activities. The company hopes to own companies in several of these markets and to build a balanced company with both mature and growth titles. ASPIRE views enthusiast magazines as being somewhat different from some special interest consumer magazines. One important difference is that all, or nearly all, of the advertising in enthusiast magazines is endemic and related directly to the subjects covered by the magazines. ASPIRE is especially interested in acquiring market leaders with positive cash flow and is not interested in start-ups or early-stage investing unless such businesses relate directly to brands we already own and operate. ASPIRE will consider an acquisition of arts or crafts media of any size or scale. For other markets, where we are seeking our initial acquisition, we are targeting companies with positive operating cash flows. After making an initial acquisition in a market segment (as we have done in arts and crafts), ASPIRE will then acquire smaller companies that relate to one of our existing markets. Some of the characteristics we seek in companies include:
Offering Owners Fair Prices and Flexible Negotiations APSIRE pays owners fair prices because we want to acquire well-run companies. We also recognize that we must be creative and flexible in dealing with owners’ financial, tax, estate, and operational needs. We are primarily interested in acquiring all or most of a company or its assets and are willing to pay cash now or structure a transaction in a way that allows owners to keep an ownership interest in a larger business. Already Financed For Acquisitions and Operations Two leading private equity firms have joined Clay Hall to provide significant equity financing to ASPIRE. Together with responsible amounts of debt financing, this equity investment should facilitate building a company with revenues of $100 million or more. Frontenac Company, a well-established private equity firm based in Chicago has more than $1 billion under management and has successfully invested in more than 135 companies since its inception in 1971, including several media and communications companies. Catalyst Investors L.P., is a New York-based private equity fund focused on traditional and emerging segments of the media and communications industries. Catalyst, along with its investment banking partner Daniels & Associates L.P. has extensive experience in all sectors of media and communications, as well as relationships with many leading media companies and entrepreneurs. Because ASPIRE is funded by equity partners that understand the media business, have long-standing relationships with media lenders, and have worked together before, owners can be highly confident in ASPIRE’s ability to successfully complete acquisitions and do so expeditiously. Operating with an Entrepreneurial Ethic within a Highly Disciplined Business Culture ASPIRE’s CEO and directors have years of experience leading both entrepreneurial and large publishing companies. As a result, the company plans to incorporate the best practices of both worlds in order to build a top-performing company. ASPIRE is managed with an entrepreneurial ethic within a highly disciplined business culture. Owners can count on ASPIRE to be good operators and stewards of the companies they worked so hard to build. Building a Top Notch Support System for Editors and Publishers There are numerous ways to build companies that create shareholder value. Some buyers who have acquired media companies in the past have tried to “cost-cut” their way to prosperity. At ASPIRE, our partnership of seasoned publishing executives and experienced investors has found that making investments in talented people is the best way to create maximum shareholder value. We recognize that regardless of how large a media company may grow, enthusiast media companies perform best when its publishers and editors are also enthusiasts themselves. Talented and experienced circulation, accounting, production, and administration executives will support the company’s publishers and editors, who are the first and last contacts with customers.
|
|
|