Active Interest Media Acquires Home Buyer Publications

Posted on March 19, 2004

Active Interest Media (AIM) has announced the acquisition of Chantilly, Va.-based Home Buyer Publications, publisher of special interest consumer magazines Log Home Living, Timber Frame Homes and trade publication, Building Systems Magazine. AIM was represented in this transaction by The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc., a New York City-based investment bank. Active Interest Media is headed by Efrem "Skip" Zimbalist III, former chief executive officer of Times Mirror Magazines from 1995 to 2000.

"We're excited about the opportunity to add Home Buyer Publications into our group of special interest titles," said Mr. Zimbalist. "With this acquisition, AIM will combine all of its assets to be a comprehensive resource for consumers interested in log homes and to be a major marketing partner to the log home industry. John Kupferer and the team at Home Buyer have built an outstanding company, and we are delighted to be associated with them."

John Kupferer, the chairman and founder of Home Buyer Publications, will remain as a consultant to AIM. He said, "I feel I have found the perfect home for the companies I founded and nurtured for over 20 years. AIM is already enthusiastic about the log home industry through their ownership of Log Home Design Ideas. In addition, as owners of Garlinghouse Home Plans Books and Magazines, they have access to a huge audience of potential custom home buyers."

AIM plans to add the Home Buyer Publications titles to its current holdings and strengthen those publications, brands and markets. Equity funding for the acquisition is being provided by Wind Point Partners, a private equity investment company with offices in Chicago, IL, and Southfield, MI. Wind Point has committed $40 million of capital from its $476 million fifth fund for the launch of AIM.