California-based Frontiers Media is active in digital, mobile, streaming video, print and outdoor signage, and is best known as the publisher of the gay lifestyle magazine Frontiers, which has received praise and awards since its re-launch in 2014. The company also brings a lively events business to the table with its active role in Style Fashion Week in Los Angeles, the LGBT film festival Outfest, Gay Days Anaheim at Disneyland, and its annual same-sex wedding expo.
Multimedia Platforms now owns the Florida Agenda, Frontiers Media, FunMaps, Guy magazine and Next magazine. Collectively, the five brands represent 7.5 million readers and 4 million unique online visitors annually, in America’s top three LGBT markets and 40-plus cities across North America. The brands will maintain their individual identities and websites. Frontiers will expand to the East Coast, becoming America’s national gay lifestyle brand, and Next will bring its mix of nightlife and pop-culture to California.
Multimedia Platforms CEOBobby Blair pointed out the acquisition of Frontiers Media gives Multimedia Platforms established roots on the west coast and an entry into the entertainment industry.
“We now lead in three of the most populous LGBT states in the country — California, New York and Florida — and offer advertisers both national and international audiences,” Multimedia Platforms CEOBobby Blair said. “Our combined resources allow us to double print circulation and grow our web traffic exponentially in 2016.”
The group of brands will give industry partners such as Rivendell Media, the National Equality Publishers Association (NEPA), major LGBT non-profits and current advertisers such as Delta Air Lines, Mercedes, Wynn Las Vegas and Wells Fargo privileged access to the loyal and influential LGBT community, on both a national and local level.
Multimedia Platforms will now have two divisions focused on publishing and online media, respectively. Current President and Group Executive Publisher Peter Jackson will continue in that role leading the company’s publishing operations.
Michael Turner, Frontiers Media’s current President and CEO, will become President of Multimedia Platforms’ digital media. Turner will also continue as Publisher of Frontiers.
Rounding out the executive management team are Kevin Hopper, VP/Operations and Publisher of Next New York; Maura Lane, VP/Sales; Emily Stokes, Corporate Circulation Director; and Dennis Dean, Corporate Creative Director.
New to the team is Tristan Schukraft, who will serve as VP/Marketing and Publisher of the new Next Los Angeles magazine. Veteran magazine editor Owen Phillips, who has led Frontiers Media’s editorial transition, will advise on content across all platforms.
“It’s an incredible time to be serving the LGBT community as the business world recognizes the power of this influential audience,” said Multimedia Platforms President of Digital Media Michael Turner. “I’m proud that we’ll be able to vastly expand the reach of our content — which is produced by some of the most talented and respected writers, editors, designers, producers and photographers in the industry.” “We are creating a first-of-its-kind media company which will have global reach and influence,” said Multimedia Platforms President and Group Executive Publisher Peter Jackson. “This acquisition represents a multimillion dollar investment in digital media development to provide the LGBT community with news, opinion and entertainment across a wide variety of delivery formats, anywhere and at anytime.”
