Posted in Internet Marketing Systems	September 7, 2006

By Kim Mateus , Managing Editor Mequoda Daily and Library

Interweave Press, LLC increases its footprint in the beading and jewelry markets with its acquisition of sixty year-old Lapidary Journal as well as Step by Step Beads, Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Colored Stone magazine, and related events for jewelry making and beading enthusiasts.

Aspire Media, LLC, a company formed by Clay B. Hall to acquire consumer enthusiast media businesses with the backing of private equity firms Frontenac Company and Catalyst Investors, announced Tuesday September 5 that its subsidiary, Interweave Press, completed its purchase of GEMS Group, a magazine publisher and event operator for gem, bead, and jewelry arts enthusiasts owned by Primedia, Inc. (NYSE:PRIM). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed by Aspire Media or Interweave Press.

GEMS Group Publisher Joe Breck will continue to serve as Group Publisher of Lapidary Journal, Step by Step Beads, Step by Step Wire, and Colored Stone magazines and related events from the current location in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The acquisition also includes numerous special interest publications, including the Tucson Show Guide, Wedding Jewelry, Creative Jewelry, and Step by Step Clay Jewelry; five of the foremost special events in this enthusiast market, including Jewelry Arts Expo and Bead Fests; and a leading craft web site.

Joe Breck said, “We have a talented and cohesive group here and I am excited that Interweave Press wants us to continue to build this company with our current staff from our current location. Under Interweave’s ownership, we expect that we’ll be able to thrive and continue to grow.”

Aspire Media’s Chief Executive Officer Clay Hall said the acquisition by its Interweave Press, LLC unit helps implement Aspire’s strategy to acquire and build upon strong enthusiast magazine titles, expanding their franchises through the acquisition and development of related directories, web sites, affinity clubs, database marketing, television programming and events.

"Our acquisition of Interweave Press—publisher of such well-known titles as Beadwork, Stringing, Interweave Knits, Handwoven, Spin-Off, PieceWork, and Fiberarts—in June 2005, followed by our acquisition of Bead Expo earlier this year, helped establish us as a leader in this market," said Hall. "Now, with the addition of the GEMS Group media properties and events, Interweave Press is the leading and most trusted source of information for beading and jewelry making enthusiasts.”

Linda Ligon, Founder and Creative Director of Interweave Press, said, "We’ve had a long- standing relationship with Joe Breck and his group based on mutual trust and respect.  We look forward to being able to offer advertisers, exhibitors, and sponsors an opportunity to reach even more enthusiasts at different stages of their skills and interests."

SOURCE: ASPIRE MEDIA, LLC

Media Information Contact:

For Aspire Media, LLC and Interweave Press, LLC:
Jaime Guthals
502-243-6834
jaimeg@interweave.com

Download the entire press release.

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