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Trusted Media Brands

Coordinates:40°45′14″N73°58′23″W/ 40.753921°N 73.973068°W/40.753921; -73.973068
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Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Founded1922;102 years ago(1922)(as Reader's Digest Association, Inc.)
New York City
FounderDeWitt Wallace
Lila Bell Wallace
Country of originUnited States
Headquarters locationNew York City
White Plains, New York
Key people
  • Bonnie Kintzer (CEO)
    Jen Tyrrell (CPO)
    Beth Tomkiw (CCO)
Publication types
Official websitetrustedmediabrands

Trusted Media Brands, Inc.(TMBI), formerly known as theReader's Digest Association, Inc.(RDA), is an Americanmulti-platform mediaand publishing company which is co-headquartered inNew York Cityand inWhite Plains, New York.[1][2][3]The company was founded byDeWitt WallaceandLila Bell Wallace,husband and wife, in New York City in 1922 with the publication of the magazineReader's Digest.[4][5][6]

The company's brands includeReader's Digest,Taste of Home,The Family Handyman,FailArmy,Birds & Blooms,Reminisce,Country,EnrichU, and others.[7][8][9]At its peak in 1973, the flagship magazine had over 30 million subscribers; it is published in 30 countries.[4]As of 2016, its portfolio of brands garners 53 millionunique online visitorsand 40 million print readers per month.[10]

History

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Trusted Media Brands, Inc. (TMBI) was founded as Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (RDA) in New York City in 1922 by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace, a married couple. They self-published the first edition ofReader's Digestin February 1922. To market the magazine, the two useddirect mailmarketing and sent 5,000 letters to nurses and schoolteachers. In 1925, DeWitt Wallace purchased land inWestchester County, New Yorkwhere he moved the headquarters of RDA. In 1927, the number ofReader's Digestsubscribers increased to 30,000. In 1939, the number was up to 3 million, and, by 1973 30 million subscribed.[4][5][6]

In 1986, under the new leadership of George Grune, RDA began creating and acquiring new brands as well as publications to diversify its portfolio. Its first special-interest magazine,Travel Holiday,was acquired in 1986 and was followed by the acquisition ofThe Family Handymanin 1987. In 1990, it acquiredAmerican Health.In the same year the companywent public.At the time, it had 7,200 employees in 54 locations throughout the world.[11][12]

In 1991, RDA acquired Joshua Morris Publishing, a children's book publisher and made a move into the children's book industry.

In 2002, RDA purchased Reiman Publications and its 12 magazines for $760 million. The deal gave RDA ownership of magazines includingTaste of Home,Country Woman,Birds & Blooms,Country,Reminisce,Healthy Cooking,Simple & Delicious,andFarm & Ranch Living.[10][13][14][15]In 2005, RDA launchedEvery Day with Rachael Rayand purchasedAllrecipesin 2006. Both magazines were sold to theMeredith Corporationin 2011 and 2012 respectively.[16][17]

In March 2007, RDA was purchased by an investment group led byprivate equityfirm,Ripplewood Holdings,for $1.6 billion. RDA was made a private company for the first time since 1990.[18][19][20]RDA filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and again in 2012. It emerged from bankruptcy in 2013.[1][20][21]On April 7, 2014, Bonnie Kintzer was appointed president and CEO of RDA; she had previously worked at RDA from 1998 to 2007.[1][22]

One of Kintzer's first major moves was to change the company's name to Trusted Media Brands, Inc. (TMBI) in September 2015. The new name was chosen to encompass all brands under the company's banner rather than justReader's Digest.TMBI has placed renewed focus on a wide variety of media platforms includingdigital content,social media, video, and others. As of 2016, TMBI's portfolio of brands reaches 53 million unique visitors, 40 million print readers, and 40 million social media users per month.[1][3][10]In 2016, TMBI sold its children's publishing operations toReaderlink Distribution Services.[23]

In August 2021, TMBI acquired theviral videolicensing companyJukin Media.[24]

Brands and publications

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Trusted Media Brands is home to several media brands across multiple digital platforms, social media, magazines, books, music, and events.

Taste of Home

[edit]
Main article:Taste of Home

Taste of Homeis a digital content provider (TasteofHome ) and print magazine that offers information on food, cooking, and entertainment. Each year, the brand publishes 3,000 recipes, tips and stories from home cooks, all of which are tested and prepared in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen inMilwaukee,Wisconsin.Taste of Homealso produced original web series calledFun with Food!andAmerica the Tasty.[7][25][26]

Reader's Digest

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Main article:Reader's Digest

Reader's Digestis a digital content provider (RD ) and print magazine that has been in publication since 1922. The brand offers a collection of true stories, advice, and humor. Content includes advice on health, nutrition, food, and home alongside stories of national and local interest. The magazine was, at one time, the largest consumer magazine in the United States. It currently produces digital content (RD ) and continues to publish print magazines in locations throughout the world.[4][5][6][27]

The Family Handyman

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Main article:The Family Handyman

The Family Handymanis a brand with an emphasis onDIYhome improvementand home repair. Digital (FamilyHandyman ) and print content provide advice and how-to guides from current and former experts and professionals.[7][28][29]

Birds and Blooms

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Main article:Birds & Blooms

Birds & Bloomsis a bird and gardening magazine that is the largest such magazine in North America. It offers tips on gardening, DIY crafts, and information on birds and other backyard animals.[30]

Other brands

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Other brands includeCountry,Country Woman,Simple & Delicious,Reminisce,Prevention,Farm & Ranch Living,EnrichU, LifeRich Publishing and Haven Home.[1][7][8][9]

Business divisions

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North America
International

(Operations and licenses in 30+ countries)

  • RD Europe, Africa and Middle East
  • RD Asia Pacific
  • RD Canada
  • RD Latin America regions

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdePofeldt, Elaine (March 2016)."Trusted Media Brand's Trusted Leader".Westchester Magazine.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  2. ^Romell, Rick (September 28, 2015)."Readers's Digest Association changing name to Trusted Media Brands Inc".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  3. ^abMickey, Bill (September 28, 2015)."Reader's Digest Association Rebrands as Trusted Media Brands, Inc".Folio Magazine.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  4. ^abcdRiquier, Andrea (August 17, 2015)."DeWitt Wallace's Digest Recorded The American Century".Investor's Business Daily.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  5. ^abcPinkley, Virgil (November 10, 1978)."How the Reader's Digest people do it".The Beaver County Times.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  6. ^abc"Good news is still in fashion".Argus-Press.March 21, 1979.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  7. ^abcdKatz, A.J. (May 13, 2016)."The Iconic Reader's Digest Is Getting a Digital Makeover".Adweek.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  8. ^abHebbard, D.B. (September 28, 2015)."RDA rebrands as Trusted Media Brands, Inc".Talking New Media.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  9. ^ab"In Historic Move, The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Changes Name To 'Trusted Media Brands, Inc.'".PR Newswire.September 28, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  10. ^abcWasserman, Todd (September 28, 2015)."Reader's Digest Association Drops Reader's Digest From the Company Name".Advertising Age.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  11. ^Carmody, Deirdre (January 29, 1991)."Wealthy Reader's Digest is looking for ways to invest".Palm Beach Daily News.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  12. ^"Reader's Digest Moves to Sell Stock Publicly".The Schenectady Gazette.May 26, 1989.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  13. ^Hodara, Susan (May 26, 2002)."IN BUSINESS; Reader's Digest Acquires Reiman and Its Readers".The New York Times.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  14. ^Milliot, Jim (April 1, 2002)."Reader's Digest to Acquire Reiman Publications".Publishers Weekly.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  15. ^Wilkerson, David B. (March 21, 2002)."Reader's Digest buys Reiman".MarketWatch.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  16. ^Moses, Lucia (October 31, 2011)."RDA Finalizes 'Rachael Ray' Mag Sale to Meredith".Adweek.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  17. ^Moses, Lucia (January 24, 2012)."Meredith Agrees to Acquire Allrecipes".Adweek.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  18. ^Moses, Lucia (April 28, 2011)."Reader's Digest Looking to Unload Web's Top Food Site?".Adweek.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  19. ^"Group buying Reader's Digest for $1.6 billion".NBC News.November 16, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  20. ^abIves, Nat (August 24, 2009)."Reader's Digest Bankruptcy Underscores Its Need to Remake Media Model".Advertising Age.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  21. ^Kavilanz, Parija (February 18, 2013)."Reader's Digest parent files for bankruptcy".CNN.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  22. ^"Bonnie Kintzer named President and CEO of Reader's Digest Association".Talking New Media. April 7, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  23. ^Milliot, Jim (October 19, 2016)."Readerlink Buys Studio Fun Assets".Publishers Weekly.RetrievedSeptember 10,2017.
  24. ^Hayes, Dade (August 12, 2021)."Jukin Media, Video Pioneer Known For Fail Army And 'Pizza Rat', Is Acquired By Trusted Media Brands".Deadline Hollywood.
  25. ^"Taste of Home Cooking School returns to Circleville".Circleville Herald.September 3, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  26. ^"Taste of Home".Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.August 21, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  27. ^Ovide, Shira (July 18, 2011)."Reader's Digest for Sale: A Colorful History By the Numbers".The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  28. ^"Today's Homeowner, The Family Handyman share latest homeowner hacks".The Birmingham News.February 12, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  29. ^Jackson, Kimberly L. (October 29, 2015)."DIY classes to help get things done around the house".The Star-Ledger.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
  30. ^Porter-Nichels, Stephanie (August 19, 2016)."Encountering the flying flowers of Beagle Ridge Herb Farm".SWVa Today.RetrievedSeptember 5,2016.
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40°45′14″N73°58′23″W/ 40.753921°N 73.973068°W/40.753921; -73.973068

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