It's been a crazy year for outdoor publishing. In summary, Intermedia bought Primedia Outdoors (including In-Fisherman and other properties) and later purchased BassFan. The Bonnier Group of Sweden purchased Outdoor Life and Field & Stream. Now, North American Fisherman is the latest title to shift into the "sold" column.
It had been known for at least a month, but the news is now official. The Pilot Group has acquired the North American Membership Group (NAMG) – a Minneapolis-based affinity marketing and publishing company that owns and operates North American Fisherman (official publication of the North American Fishing Club) and North American Hunter (official pub of the North American Hunting Club).
Pilot Group, described as "a brand-focused NY-based private-investment firm," purchased the company from Doughty Hanson. Pilot Group was formed in 2003 by a group of operating executives that included Robert Pittman, who was co-founder of MTV and CEO of MTV Networks, later president and COO of America Online, Co-COO then COO of AOL Time Warner, and CEO of Century 21.
Other Pilot Group partners include Mayo Stuntz (Blackstone, Six Flag Theme Parks), Howie Lipson (Blackstone, Six Flag Theme Parks), Robert Sherman (NBC-owned radio stations, AOL president of interactive marketing, Time Warner Cable sales chief), and Marshall Cohen (research head for MTV networks, AOL VP of brand marketing and research).
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
NAMG, founded by the Burke family, was first sold to Cendant. Doughty Hanson & Co acquired NAMG in Oct. 1999. NAMG was recapitalized in May 2005.
