F+W Publications announced on 25th March 2004 that it has completed the acquisition of Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine from Rodale Inc. Scuba Diving, established in 1992, has a circulation of more than 185,000 and is the leading magazine title for scuba and skin diving enthusiasts in the U.S. Terms and purchase price were not disclosed.
"Scuba Diving offers its readers the most thorough, authoritative editorial coverage of the sport and the magazine represents an opportunity for F+W to add an exciting new subject area to our portfolio," said Stephen J. Kent, President and CEO of F+W Publications. "We have the highest regard for Rodale and the team that puts out this great Scuba Diving product, so it is our good fortune to have Scuba Diving part of the F+W portfolio."
"Thanks to the excellent work of a very fine team, Scuba Diving is the number one title in its space and a first-class travel and destination publication," said Steve Murphy, President and CEO, Rodale Inc. "For F+W, one of the largest special interest publishers in the world, Scuba Diving with its highly targeted audience represents a wonderful strategic fit. We believe the Scuba team will find a great new home at F+W, and we want to thank them for all of their hard work and the many contributions they have made to our company."
"Our move from Rodale to F+W is an opportunity to move from one good home to another," said Dane Farnum, Scuba Diving Publisher. "There will be many advantages to being housed within a company that has built its success with a portfolio of vertical titles and we have every confidence that we will continue to thrive within their organization. We will maintain our standing as the trusted source for divers the world over and, of course, will always be an ideal home for a wide range of advertising partners."
Scuba Diving marks the fifth acquisition for F+W Publications in less than two years, including Horticulture (Aug. 2002), Print (Nov. 2002), Adams Media Corporation (July 2003) and Pastel Journal (Aug. 2003). All employees of the magazine have been offered employment with F+W, and the title will not be relocated, consistent with standard practice by F+W in its acquisition program. Scuba Diving will remain in Savannah, Georgia.
Scuba Diving, published 11 times a year, is edited to provide information on the practice of diving, dive travel opportunities, the reader’s health and safety and the dive equipment on which they depend. Editorial focuses on both domestic and international dive travel and comparative product reviews.
