Canadian Magazine Industry News
4 September 2013,     TORONTO
Robert Kennedy mags return in October
 
Oxygen, MuscleMag International and Clean Eating, formerly of the defunct Robert Kennedy Publishing (RKP) magazine dynasty, have been sold to Cruz Bay Publishing in California.

The three titles are scheduled to return to newsstands in October and Cruz Bay's parent company told Masthead that all previous subscribers will have their subscriptions carried over. Cruz Bay also purchased Reps, American Curves and Maximum Fitness as part of the bundled package, but do not have any plans for those brands as of yet.

Robert Kennedy Publishing's parent company, Canusa Products Inc., filed for bankruptcy on June 7. Some assets, like the Canadian trademark for Oxygen and the U.S. trademark for Clean Eating, belonged to either Tosca Reno Media (formerly known as Robert Kennedy Publishing) or the Testamentary Estate of Robert Kennedy, and were not covered by the bankruptcy.

However, a document from trustee Deloitte and Touche says all assets related to the magazine properties were marketed together to facilitate an en bloc transaction. According to Deloitte records, an agreement for the sale was submitted on Aug. 16 and the transition was approved on Aug. 23.

Cruz Bay Publishing is a subsidiary of Active Interest Media (AIM), which produces a large stable of equine, healthy living, home buyers, marine and outdoors lifestyle magazines including American Cowboy, Black Belt, Yoga Journal, Arts & Crafts Homes, Yachts International and Backpacker.

"We are thrilled to acquire these market-leading brands," said Andy Clurman, AIM chief operating officer, in a release. "These titles are standout subscription and newsstand performers that fit naturally within AIM's Healthy Living Group, and both expand and deepen our reach in the epicurean and fitness categories."

MuscleMag International and Oxygen will be moving to an office in Valencia, CA. Clean Eating will relocate to Boulder, CO. Todd Hughes, formerly group advertising director at RKP, will be assisting with the transition in the role of acting general manager at AIM.

Hughes said in an email that AIM is also working with former RKP editors-in-chief, editors, art directors and designers to bring the mags back to market. "This will ensure the continuity of the brands remains intact," he wrote, adding that some of the content already produced before Canusa filed for bankruptcy will now see publication.

Fitness guru and former RKP chief executive officer and publisher Tosca Reno, who took the helm at RKP after the 2012 death of her husband, Robert Kennedy, will carry on as a contributor to both Oxygen and Clean Eating.

— Jef Catapang
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Jaded says:
Wow, Torstar really seems to be on a mission to bankrupt one magazine after another....
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Full of terrific information, Thanks!...
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