• by Ray Schultz , December 4, 2023

Enthusiast media company Active Interest Media (AIM) has acquired Taunton Press, a consumer media and book business. Terms were not disclosed. 

The purchase of Newtown, CT-based Taunton doubles AIM’s reach in the gardening, woodworking and homebuilding sectors, the company states. 

“While the symmetry of many of our core markets is obvious; woodworking, gardening, and homebuilding; there are many other similarities,” notes Andrew Clurman, president and CEO of AIM.

For one, both firms have been “aggressively pursuing the creation of new digital products, memberships, and online learning to better serve their audiences," Clurman adds. 

For another, the two companies share “a dedication to producing high-quality information, and inspiring enthusiasts for hands-on living,” says Andrea Roman, board chair of Taunton Press. 

AIM has also announced several organizational changes tied to the acquisition: 

• Brian Van Heuverswyn has been named chief operating officer, in charge of consumer marketing, technology, and the Home Arts, Homebuilding, Writer’s Digest, and Collectibles brands. 
• Gary DeSanctis, now president of AIM Marine Group, has taken on the expanded role of chief revenue officer, responsible for all AIM revenue derived from advertising, sponsorships, and marketing services.   
• Adam Smith has come on board as chief financial officer, with added oversight for human resources. 

Those joining from Taunton include: 

• Erica Moynihan as senior vice president of marketing. 
• Rob Yagid as senior vice president, content AIM Home Group.