CurtCo Robb Media Seeks New Luxury Titles

Posted on March 28, 2002

Nine months after jointly acquiring the luxury lifestyle monthly Robb Report from Luxury Media Corp., CurtCo Robb Media and private equity group TD Capital Communications Partners announced plans to acquire and launch a variety of new vertical titles within the industry categories addressed by their flagship publication. CurtCo and TD Capital intend to acquire magazines within the luxury categories covered by Robb Report which include automobiles, yachts, private aviation, real estate, home theater, interior design, fashion, jewelry, travel and epicurean life.

"We plan to build upon the marvelous Robb Report platform through related acquisitions," explained CurtCo Robb Media CEO William J. Curtis. "We've been fortunate to team up with TD Capital whose expertise in the sector is invaluable. Our combined forces will allow us to proceed with strong momentum."

"In our first nine months, we have focused on making significant improvements in our existing titles," Mr. Curtis further stated. "That job is largely behind us and given the unique positioning of our brand, expansion is the next step in our plans for building CurtCo Robb Media's status as the ultimate source serving the highest demographic audience."

Since the acquisition of Robb Report in June 2001, CurtCo Robb Media has implemented a number of enhancements to strengthen the magazine's image and content including an upgrade in the magazine's paper and production, a new, highly focused quality editorial format, an increase in editorial content from 30 percent to 50 percent, and investments in circulation.

CurtCo Robb Media launched The Robb Report Collection in December 2001. The special interest publication covers luxury real estate and home design on a bimonthly basis, while focusing on premium new, classic and vintage automobiles in alternate months. The company appointed Ernest J. Renzulli as Publisher in January, opened a New York City office, and added a team of luxury market professionals.

"We've been fortunate to back a 'top-notch' management team at CurtCo," said Marc Michel, TD Capital partner and CurtCo Robb Media board member. "Their performance in cementing 'The Robb' places us in a strong position to initiate further acquisition and launch plans."

CurtCo Robb Media (CRM) is operated by CurtCo Media Labs, which for more than two decades has built publishing companies. CurtCo has launched or acquired 26 magazines during this period. In alliance with TD Capital Communications Partners, CurtCo acquired Robb Report in June of 2001, and formed CurtCo Robb Media. CRM launched The Robb Report Collection in January of 2002, redeveloped robbreport.com, and maintains offices in Malibu, New York City and Boston.