American Media, Inc. and USA TODAY Announce Partnership

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- David J. Pecker, Chairman & CEO of American Media Inc. (AMI) and Larry Kramer, President & Publisher of USA TODAY announced today a partnership to publish 12 special magazines using a "Best Of" theme in 2013. AMI is the leading publisher of celebrity and health & fitness content, with brands including Shape, Men's Fitness, Star and OK, and a readership of over 55 million. USA TODAY is a multi-platform news and information media company. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of nearly 1.8 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning news website, reach a combined 6.6 million readers daily.

The concept for the "Best Of" collaboration was developed by both Mr. Pecker and Mr. Kramer in meetings late last year. Editorial will be developed by teams at both companies, and will draw from the expertise of both, as well as outside experts and resources. The overriding concept is to provide entertaining guides to help readers make the best decisions as to what to buy or do across multiple categories, including health, personal finance, travel, education and more.

The first special, The Best of Diet and Fitness, draws heavily from AMI's leading health & fitness authorities at Shape and Men's Fitness. It is scheduled to go on sale at the end of February 2013 with more than 400,000 copies distributed at newsstand, airports and hotels across the country.

"USA TODAY is pleased to partner with AMI on these magazines on this joint effort of editorial teams bringing readers our combined expertise on topics like health, travel and personal finance. We know these are important subjects to our readers and we think this combined endeavor will bring together the best of USA TODAY and AMI," said Mr. Kramer.

In addition to its editorial responsibilities, AMI will handle all adverting sales and production as well. Companion websites and digital applications for tablets and smartphones are being considered for each of the titles.

"When you think of iconic brands across our national media landscape, USA TODAY has to be at the top of the list," commented Mr. Pecker. "Coupled with AMI's editorial, production and distribution strengths, we have a unique skill set to create a series of magazines that will take the "Best Of" concept to a new level in terms of actionable information for today's consumer."

Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.

About USA TODAY:
USA TODAY is a multi-platform news and information media company. Founded in 1982, USA TODAY's mission is to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Through its unique visual storytelling, USA TODAY delivers high-quality and engaging content across print, digital, social and video platforms. An innovator of news and information, USA TODAY reflects the pulse of the nation and serves as the host of the American conversation – today, tomorrow and for decades to follow. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of nearly 1.8 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website launched in 1995, reach a combined 6.6 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than 16 million downloads on mobile devices. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. GCI.

About American Media, Inc.:
American Media, Inc. (AMI) owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health and fitness media brands in the United States. AMI's titles include Star, OK!, National Enquirer, Globe, Country Weekly, Soap Opera Digest, Shape, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, CountryWeekly.com, Shape.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and FitPregnancy.com. AMI's magazines have a combined total circulation of 7.4 million and reach more than 61 million men and women each month. AMI's digital properties reach an average of 34 million unique visitors and 169 million page views monthly.

AMI also provides Publishing Services which includes Distribution Services, Inc. (DSI), the No. 1 in-store magazine sales and merchandising marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. DSI places and monitors AMI's publications and third-party publications to ensure proper displays in major retail chains and national and regional supermarket chains. DSI also provides marketing, merchandising and information gathering services to third parties including non-magazine clients. Publishing Services also provides print and digital advertising sales and strategic management direction in the following areas: manufacturing, subscription circulation, logistics, event marketing and full back office financial functions.

SOURCE American Media, Inc.