Force 12 Media purchases National Boat Digest
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Force 12 Media, LLC has purchased National Boat Digest from Marbol Publishing, the company reported in a statement today.
Force 12 Media was founded by Sean O’Leary, the former East Coast sales director for the Time4 Media Marine Group, and Yachting’s recent executive editor George Sass Jr.
The monthly magazine was founded in 1983 and focuses on boating in the Great Lakes, Force 12 Media reported.
“We’re excited about the opportunities within the Great Lakes region and after substantial market research feel strongly that there’s an opportunity for an informative and better marine publication,” said O’Leary, publisher of National Boat Digest. “In our opinion, the issue with marine publishing isn’t that there are too many marine titles; the issue is that there are too many titles that are basically the same.”
O’Leary added that his company plans to make its new publication stand out from other Great Lakes and niche titles.
John Szefc of W.B. Grimes and Co. represented the seller, and Astrachan, Gunst, and Thomas represented the buyers.
O’Leary and Sass will launch a redesign in February, although improvements will begin with the December issue.
“We’re working with an incredibly talented pool of designers and editorial professionals to improve the book,” said Sass, editor of National Boat Digest. “You’re going to see a magazine with a lot more in-depth information and news, with a better pulse on the reader.”
Force 12 Media, LLC, based in Fairfield, Conn.., will publish National Boat Digest and also focus on custom publishing and website development for its custom publishing clients.
“We are working on several strategic partnerships that we will announce shortly. These will benefit both National Boat Digest and our clients,” O’Leary said.
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