F+W Media And Hubert Burda Media Enter Joint Venture Agreement

NEW YORK - March 3, 2014 - PRLog -- March 4, 2014 – New York/Munich – F+W Media Inc. (www.fwmedia.com) and Hubert Burda Media (www.hubert-burda-media.com) announced today they have entered a significant 50/50 joint venture to run the brand Burda Style in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the UK digital activities of Burda Style.

Hubert Burda Media is one of the world’s largest global media companies with revenues exceeding $3.5B. Burda International has businesses across Europe, Russian speaking territories, Asia and South America. This is their first major joint venture in the United States.

F+W Media is the largest enthusiast media company in the U.S. and after the significant acquisitions in the last 18 months of Interweave and New Track Media, is also the nation’s largest content and commerce company serving the crafting community. In 2013 Hubert Burda Media and F+W Media entered a multi-faceted licensing agreement for the Burda Style (www.Burda Style.com (http://www.burdastyle.com)) brand.

Burda Style USA is published by Burda F+W LLC and uses an integrated business approach, encompassing e-commerce, in-person and online education services, video content, events, a print magazine, books to service its online community of nearly 1 million sewing enthusiasts.

“This joint venture brings together two of the largest entities serving the craft market and represents the next stage of our trusted partnership with the Burda team.” said David Nussbaum, Chairman & CEO, F+W Media.  “Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, F+W Media has expanded its reach in the US craft market serving tens of millions of consumers annually. We are very proud to count Burda Style in the U.S. and Canada, as well as its digital business in the UK, as part of this portfolio. I look forward to the continued success of Burda Style USA and to working more closely with our partners at Burda International on additional projects,” Nussbaum added.

"We have already established a very strong foundation in our partnership with F+W Media and are extremely happy that the scope of this transaction-driven, community-centric cooperation will now expand internationally. Burda Style is unparalleled with its unique approach to serving a fashion conscious, enthusiastic sewing community all over the world, therefore we are convinced that this partnership can benefit all of our international editions." says Frances Evans, Director International Licensing and Advertising, Burda International.

The Burda Style USA joint venture includes:

• A direct-to-consumer e-commerce business, online products and services and exclusive kit offerings

• Extensive online and live education programs including web seminars, instructor-led courses, and video streaming

• A publishing program encompassing the Burda Style magazine, e-mags, books, e-books as well as 2,500 themed PDF pattern collections, using interactive content and the extensive library of patterns and their instruction programs

Hubert Burda Media is a privately owned company with a publishing tradition, which spans over 100 years. It is a leading publisher in magazine media and transactional digital media. Burda Style was developed by Aenne Burda, mother of company owner Hubert Burda. Burda Style magazine is now published in 17 different languages, appearing in over 100 countries and has a monthly readership of over 4 million enthusiastic sewers.

Burda International GmbH is active in 19 markets and currently publishes over 300 magazines as well as a large number of digital media services. Burda International is a leading publisher in Central and Eastern Europe and rapidly expanding in the Asian markets. More than 2,600 people work for Burda International. Burda International is responsible for the licensing activities of all Burda international brands, including Burda Style.

F+W Media Inc. is an enthusiast-focused Content and Commerce company. It offers a diversified and deep content portfolio, industry-leading events, more than 30 highly curated e-commerce stores, extensive online education programs, DVD and video instruction, television programs, and more. In the craft and sewing space, the Company’s leading brands include Fons & Porter, Keepsake Quilting, McCall’s Quilting, Interweave, and The Martha Pullen Company. www.fwmedia.com

Contact: Berthold Heidbüchel, Senior PR Manager Corporate Communications, Hubert Burda Media Berthold.Heidbuechel@burda.com