Retirement Coincides with the Sale of Show Management to Informa PLC.
Boulder, CO (March 2, 2017) — Active Interest Media (AIM, aimmedia.com) announced today that company founder Efrem “Skip” Zimbalist III is retiring as CEO of Show Management, though he will continue as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Active Interest Media. His retirement coincides with the recently announced sale of Show Management to Informa PLC.
“It has been my distinct honor to lead the gifted team at Show Management,” Zimbalist said. “Each year they create marine cities that are home to thousands of boats and exhibitions and visited by hundreds of thousands of boaters from around the world. My hat is off to them for their ability to flawlessly execute the shows every year.”
“While my role at AIM will change, my passion for the company, its employees and its industry partners will not. With this new change, I look forward to spending more time with my wonderful wife Paula, my four children, four grandchildren, and cruising the ocean.”
In 2015, Zimbalist and the Board appointed Andrew Clurman to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Zimbalist subsequently became Executive Chairman. “The sale of Show Management, allowed for an easy and logical transitioning of all AIM executive responsibilities to Andy,” Zimbalist said. “As Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, I remain an active resource for Andy and the team as they continue to lead AIM on its path of growth.”
“Over the many years we have spent first building Times Mirror Magazines and later Active Interest Media, Skip has been an extraordinary mentor, partner, and friend,” says Clurman. “His passion for growing businesses and the communities they serve remain at the core of our purpose and our success. I’m grateful Skip will remain on our Board and participate in AIM’s next phase.”
“Skip has been a terrific partner and loyal friend since our first discussions in the early 2000s about starting a company,” said Jim TenBroek, who has served as director since the founding of AIM. “His vision and leadership have been the standards around which the company was built, and as a result, AIM is truly the leader among consumer media businesses.”
Zimbalist began his media career in 1972 with the management consulting firm McKinsey and Co. He then served as Chairman and CEO of Correia Glass, a family-owned business, before becoming President and CEO of Times Mirror Magazines. In 1999, he was named Chief Financial Officer of Times Mirror Corporation. He serves as Vice Chairman of MPA – The Association of Magazine Media.
About Active Interest Media, Inc. One of the world’s largest enthusiast media companies, Active Interest Media (aimmedia.com)
produces leading consumer and trade events, websites, magazines, films and TV shows that reach 36 million readers, fans, and attendees in 85 countries. AIM’s brands include Yoga Journal, Backpacker, SKI, Skiing, Vegetarian Times, Anglers Journal, Yachts International, Sail, Power & Motoryacht, Black Belt, American Cowboy, Spin to Win Rodeo, Practical Horseman, Dressage Today, Oxygen, Clean Eating, Log Home Living, Old House Journal, Cabin Living, Woodsmith, Garden Gate, and more. The company’s six divisions—the Equine Network, Home Group, Healthy Living Group, Marine Group, Outdoor Group, and Creative Home Group—also operate thriving B2B platforms, online universities, and retail events. Core competencies include lead generation (through their Qualified
Buyer Program), marketing services (through their in- house agency, Catapult Creative Labs), and video production. Its businesses include Warren Miller Entertainment, the most successful adventure-film company in history, IDEAFit, the world’s leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals, and AIM Studios, a seven- person unit dedicated to digital video. Active Interest Media’s customers are smart, engaged, and loyal, and they look to our brands for trustworthy information and services that will inspire and enable them to enjoy their passions.
About Wind Point Partners
AIM was founded in 2003 by Skip Zimbalist and Wind Point Partners, a private equity investment firm has raised over $3 billion in commitments since 1984. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top caliber management teams to acquire middle market business where it can establish a clear path to value creation. Additional information about Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com.
Media inquiries: Active Interest Media Dayna Macy (415) 591-0729
dmacy@aimmedia.com(mobile) (510) 219-0819