• by Fern Siegel , February 16, 2021

Active Interest Media has been acquired by B&W Communications.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

B&W (Betterment & Wonderment Communications LLC) was launched by Andrew Clurman, the CEO-cofounder of AIM, to acquire enthusiast media brands. The previous owner was Wind Point Partners, a private-equity group from Chicago.

AIM's enthusiast titles in the shelter, hobby and boating categories include Anglers Journal, Yachts International, Sail, Power & Motoryacht, Yachts International, Soundings, Horticulture, Popular Woodworking and Writers Digest, among others. AIM also produces various retail events and offers marketing services.

“I put together a group to buy the business after Wind Point said it would sell the company and close out the fund that invested in AIM,” Clurman told Pubishers Daily. He says he is excited about “the evolution of the business from a legacy magazine company to a diversified, multimedia enterprise.”

The company will remain as Active Interest Media with four divisions: the Home Group, Home Arts, Collectibles and Marine
Group.

“Future plans include continuing to diversify our business around education both online and in person, ecommerce enabling our many websites and brands, and launching new products to serve our audiences,” Clurman told Publishers Daily.

AIM, which claims to reach 40+ million readers, fans and attendees in 85 countries, will continue to be headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. In March 2017, Active Interest Media sold its Yachting Promotions Inc. division to Informa for $133 million. 

AIM cofounder Efrem Zimbalist III will remain as an advisor and Chairman Emeritus.